13 The light meter doesn’t work. Now What?
SNAPSHOT
- Learn how to use the F 16 Rule
- Download a light meter app on your phone
What is the Sunny 16 rule?
Sunny 16 rule allows the photographer to determine the correct exposure while shooting outdoors with natural daylight. You can estimate the correct exposure without a light meter.
The rule says: On a sunny day (distinct shadows) set your F stop at F 16 and your shutter speed at the number closer to the ISO (film speed) you are using.
For example, if you are using 400 ASA film your correct exposure on a sunny day is:
F 16 @ 1/500 (F-stop 16 and shutter speed 1/500 sec)
If ISO is 200 (F-stop 16 and shutter speed 1/250 sec)
If ISO 125 or 100 (F-stop 16 and shutter speed 1/125 sec)
Make sure you are photographing with the sun on your back and not facing the camera.
Why is it useful?
This is a great rule to understand and apply when you photograph outdoors during daytime with natural light. It works very well and you can bracket your exposures, which means taking a few extra photos of the same scene by making exposures + one or – one stop.
When you use the Sunny 16 rule you ignore what your light meter is telling you to do. Set your camera to manual mode.
Reasons you may have to use the F 16 rule:
- your lightmeter is not working properly
- your camera doesn’t have one or it is out of batteries
- you’re just interested to understand lighting and doing it yourself
Light meter Applications on your phone
Download Light meter apps on your smartphone.
There are many free to download but we suggest you pay about $10 to get a reliable one and skip the advertisements.
A good one we use is: Pocket Light Meter for IOS and Lux Meter for Android.