Re: Exposure confusion...

> Manual exposure is the way to get studio tripod shots right. Check the 
> histogram and adjust.

Now you're talking.  I'm up for this, but I've done little manual shooting

so far.

I can adjust lighting and exposure to get the highlights.  This is
probably 
a stupid question but are there control techniques to optimize (preserve) 
blacks?   If I should stick my head in a book on the subject, please say
so.