Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

When working with film, for which part of the image should you expose?

1. Mid-tones

2. Shadows

3. Highlights

4. Background

The correct answer is: Shadows

In photography, especially when working with film, the key to achieving a well-balanced exposure lies in the nuances of the tonal range. Exposing for the shadows is often considered critical because it helps ensure that the darker areas of the image retain detail and do not become a solid block of black. By prioritizing exposure for shadows, photographers can manage the overall exposure more effectively since film generally has a limited dynamic range compared to digital sensors. When shadows are correctly exposed, it ensures that the image maintains depth and richness, preventing loss of detail in those areas. If you expose for highlights, there’s a higher risk of overexposure, which can lead to loss of detail that cannot be recovered. Conversely, mid-tones offer a balance, but relying solely on them might sacrifice shadow detail if the scene's lighting is particularly challenging. Therefore, emphasizing exposure on the shadows allows the photographer to build a foundation of detail in the image that can be further manipulated during the development or digital editing process, adding contrast and depth without sacrificing important aspects of the photograph.