How to use a light meter with speedlights

Take the guesswork out of lighting. Learn how to use a light meter and stop monkeying around.

There are two ways to light a shot:

  • Chimping
  • Use a light meter.

Chimping was a term that was made up shortly after the introduction of digital cameras. It’s when you see photographers take a photo then look at the back of the screen, take another shot and look at the back of the screen and keep shooting and looking and shooting and looking. This is often accompanied by “OOs” and “Ahs” and when you start to see photographers doing it over and over they resemble chimps … OO! OO! OO!

There is nothing wrong with chimping but it’s not very accurate. If you are trying to add light to your images, Gina highly recommends that you invest in a light meter. It takes all the guesswork out of lighting.

In this tutorial, you will learn:

  • Gina’s step by step approach to lighting with speedlights using a light meter
  • Why you should always use a light meter
  • How to finally use the light meter you bought ages ago but haven’t used yet.

Gina is using the Minolta 1V. She has had this light meter for 25 years. They can be picked up used for around $100.

categories: Lighting, Tutorial, , , , , , ,

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About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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