Different exposure methods

dannyjo22 · 16 May 2010 at 17:13

Recently I've been reading a couple of books both enjoyable.

The obvious one everyone mentions 'understanding exposure' and Michael Freemans 'Perfect Exposure'.

Before I get too confused I thought I'd ask a couple of questions.

They seem to use different methods, Peterson meters off the area he deems most critical and recomposes then ignores his meter reading depending on the result he wants and where the sun is.

Freeman talks about weighing up the average light/grey and using exposure compensation to bring out the tones he wants.

Is this two different methods to achieve the same results, which one do people here most use.

Forgive me if I have interpreted this wrong, I thought it best to ask before making assumptions to lead me in the wrong direction

Mr Jones · 16 May 2010 at 17:21

Unless shooting portraits, I meter the whole scene and then guesstimate the exposure compensation to bring out the bits I want. When shooting portrait, I always area/spot meter for my subject's tones when shooting without flash.

dannyjo22 · 16 May 2010 at 17:40

Interesting, which gives me more questions (sorry) why would you not use Evaluative as you will be using AF point selection? which biases towards that selected point. (portrait)

What do you do differently when using flash?

Sorry for the additional questions, I'm finding with this photography lark everything I read throws up even more questions.

It seems if I'm reading it correctly you use Freemans method of getting more familiar with your camera for the light you require from a shot and knowing you exposure compensation requirements.

Mr Jones · 16 May 2010 at 18:01

If I use evaluative, I tend to find my subject overexposed if the background is dark or under exposed when outdoor. I tend to area/spot as I'll be using centre spot focus then recompose for my shot.

And when using external flash / wireless, I'll have to expose for the background instead of my subject, then either ETTL or manual flash control to bring my subject out. In this case, I often use evaluative. I'm not very familiar with the 2 different method but from reading Tom Ang's book, I've come to do it as error and learn, doing it based on gut feeling. It's hit and miss but I've found that the more I play, the more I do it instinctively and getting it how I perceived in my mind before pressing the shutter.

dannyjo22 · 16 May 2010 at 19:45

Thanks Mr Jones, interested to see the different methods people use.

D.P. · 17 May 2010 at 08:24

In general the exposure meter of modern cameras are very good, make sure you use the right mode and apply tweaks. Look at the histogram after the shot and then you can re-shoot with some EC if need be.

aim to over expose but without clipping highlights (you must check each colour channel independently). Underexposing a photo s really bad as it will introduce noise and reduces the colour acuity.