eli_rubinstein

Photographing BLACK subjecs. Thats exactly where spot meters come in handy (this there "Reason of Existence"). As I mentioned before in another answer Meters are Calibrated To "18 percent GRAY" which means that MORE OFTEN THAN NOT ANY SPOT METERED subject will RENDER "GRAY" on A Black and White Film. But ANY Color Film Is ESSENTIALY a B+W film So your "basic approach" should be accordingly. Back To "18 Percent Gray" This is Termed ZONE V(five) In Ansel Adam's ZONE SYSTEM. Every ZONE represents ONE STOP. NOW One MUST Everytime "THINK POSITIVE" SO The HIGHER the ZONE number (e.g VI VII VIII (IX)) The WHITER The Rendition. and Vise Versa From Zone V DOWN The BLACKER The Rendition (Remember "THINK POSITIVE"). This is the very Reason Why One MUST Adjust The exposure "Over Metering" Depending On The "Place" one wants to "put HIS subject". Therefore on a BLACK Subject the Light Meter's STREIGHT info will be for a GRAY RENDITION in order to get what ONE wants one has to adjust (One STOP per ZONE).In case of a black subject e.g one to two stopes DOWN (e.g Metered f8 at 1/125 adjustment f16 at 1/125 {or, of course, f8 at 1/500 }) Now this is Only A PART OF THE TRUTH (Though an IMPORTEND one) it is also ,as one of the forum member allready mentioned ) A Matter of What Film One Uses e.g VELVIA was mentioned to be a contrasty and saturated film. By the Way VELVIA Is Rated ISO 50. A lot of users Believe exposing it As ISO 40! Renders better Results. Good Luck.

I think that the answer to this question can be found by considering how to use aligt meter in taking action and movement pictures (yes in nature there is action) I usualy relay on my matrix configuraation. using centerweighted or spot metering is another ball park. never forget meters are calibrated for "18 percent GRAY" therefore adjustments must be done according to the lights and shadow distribution and contrast of the subject. MATRIX is the "easiest" SPOT the most "difficult" to use. But this exactly is all THE FUN. I think your experience will tell when and how (by the way The "ZONE SYSTEM" of Ansel Adams is Verry Enlightning.