Sunny 16 Rules

Photography Tutorial: Sunny 16 Rule

I don't know how many of you have ever heard of the SUNNY 16 Rule, but in short this was the guide for film photographers for years and it was a guide in the field a photographer could use with out a light meter. It is based on incident light in stead of reflective light. Most meters in your camera read reflective light, not the incident light. I would even go as far to say it may well be about 98% accurate.

The Rule is Simple and applies to Bright Sunny Days, IE the days you need your sunglasses, not just wear them to add to your stylish looks.

Shooting in Manual Mode in Direct Sunlight.

Put your F-Stop on F16, Keep in mind the focusing tips given a couple of weeks ago (the general shutter speed need to be the same as your lens or faster.) You will make your shutter speed 1/100 for a 100 mm lens. Then set your ISO to match, IE ISO 100. Your image will be properly exposed.

You will match your shutter speed and ISO with the F-Stop always on F16.

On a sunny day and with ISO 100 set to 100, set the aperture to f/16 and the shutter speed to 1/100 or 1/125 second (on most cameras 1/125 second is the available setting nearest to 1/100 second).

On a sunny day with ISO set to 200, set the aperture at f/16, set shutter speed to 1/200 or 1/250.

On a sunny day with ISO set to 400, set the aperture at f/16, set shutter speed to 1/400 or 1/500.

If you get time try it and see how well it works for your.

I hope you enjoyed this tip.
Dale

Revision to the Blog, I was asked by a couple to show some examples of the Rule being used., Here they are.

OK, it started out with an overcast today, But it cleared off and I was able to take three examples today.

These are all three using a 400mm Lens, so I set the camera to Manual Mode,

ISO 400
Shutter Speed 400
F16 (Remember it is the Sunny 16 Rule)