exposure off water column

When people are talking about taken a exposure off the water column what mode are they in or what mode do they switch to after the reading and what setting would they normaly adjust.

Full manual mode, unless you've got an exposure lock button that's easy to use.

Set the camera to spot metering (optional), point it at open water and adjust the exposure settings until the light-meter says it's correctly exposed.

i use a canon 350D and for wide angle metering i meter in centre weighted NOT spot. I use spot metering for macro work as macro images are really relying on the light of the strobes and not the natural light. it seems to work for me this way.

i use a canon 350D and for wide angle metering i meter in centre weighted NOT spot. I use spot metering for macro work as macro images are really relying on the light of the strobes and not the natural light. it seems to work for me this way.

 

Stunning photo

When I've used the meter to get an exposure off the water column, I usually set the exposure compensation to underexpose by 2/3 of a stop.

I usually use spot meter in manual when doing so.

That's my take ... I've heard people say to underexpose as much as 1-2 stops.

That's my take ... I've heard people say to underexpose as much as 1-2 stops.

I think this is something that one can vary a little depending on how dark you want the water to be, and your camera characteristics.

Beautiful shot Stew!

Hi,

I have my camera in center weighted mode, with manual exposure. As the others have said point it at the colour of water you want. Bear in mind that the colour nearer the surface will be lighter blue than the colour at depth. Hence the use of the term column. Use the cameras light meter and aperture/shutter speed setttings to get a correct exposure.

Bear in mind that the angle you then take the picture at is critical-if you metered the camera looking up, and then shoot down, you will get a different colour blue, and the picture will likely be underexposed.

I personally do not dial in any exposure compenation or under/over expose. May camera's meter seems pretty accurate!

Hope that helps

Adam

I think this is something that one can vary a little depending on how dark you want the water to be, and your camera characteristics.

Agreed ... my problem is that I don't trust my eye underwater like I do topside. Topside, I can look at something and instinct and experience say: "This composition should be shot at +1.3" ... or ... "I'll spot meter this wall and add two stops" ... On land, those instincts are solid ... Underwater, I have a long way to go. It will be a long time before I leave my "rules" and "heuristics" behind and shoot like I do on land.

Beautiful shot Stew!

Sure is!