Photo Lab Manual (PDF) - Richland College

Using a Gray CardThere is a direct relationship between the quality of your negative and the quality of your print.Exposure (picture-taking) and development (of film) together create the density and contrastyour image will have. Generally, students have very little problems with the film developmentprocess as long as they follow the step by step procedures. But film exposure problems canhaunt some students all semester. It goes like this:Wrong Exposure = Poor Quality Negative = Poor Quality Print =Frustration for Wasting Time, Money, and Energy. Hmmm!This can mostly be avoided by using a Gray Card to measure exposure. Why the GrayCard works will be explained by your instructor, but here is how to use it:1. Place the Gray Card so that the gray surface is facing the camera. Make sure thatthe same light illuminating your subject is also illuminating the Gray Card.2. Try to position the Gray Card as close to the subject as possible. For daylightexposures, exposure readings can be made near the camera as long as it receivesthe same intensity of light as the subject.3. Make sure the Gray Card is positioned at the same angle as the subject.4. It is also important that you read only the Gray Card. In other words, if yourmeter is in the camera, fill the screen with the Gray Card. The Gray Card doesnot have to be in focus. Be careful not to cast your shadow onto the Gray Card.5. Meter as you would normally off the Gray Card and leave that setting. When youremove the Gray Card the meter reading will usually change, but Do Not adjustfor the change. In other words, if your Gray Card reading is f/8 at a 1/125, butthen by removing the Gray Card your camera meter indicates you are now overor underexposed, leave the setting at f/8 at a 1/125.6. If your subject and lighting remain the same, you can bracket your exposure onestop over and one stop under for negative film. Bracket if you are not sure ofexposure and would like to have some variations to choose from. Bracket onlyafter your Gray Card exposure.52