How to Use Photography Metres for Vivid Pictures

Most digital cameras share many of the common features like exposure modes and focus settings. Metering mode is found in all dSLR’s and it reads the light values coming into a camera. In return this setting determines what the proper exposure to use is. Photography Metering can also be defined as “what area in the viewfinder is metered”.
In the early photography days TTL (through-the-lens) method was used. Today’s digital cameras use much more refined methods of evaluate the light.

Process of Evaluation and Assigning an Exposure Value

1. A digital camera first gathers certain information to use for exposure decision. Light conditions that affect the frame play the major role for this decision.
2. Then the camera enters the evaluation process. Using the gathered information and certain rules the camera calculates the exposure value.

(The range of light is measured with low numbers being darker ie: exposure value 1, where high numbers assigned to the lightest ie: exposure value 12.)

MODES:

Center-Weighted, Evaluative, Spot and Multi-Area are among different metering modes.
All cameras have some form of Centre-Weighted and Evaluative modes. Some dSLR also include Spot and Multi-Area modes.
Center-Weighted method takes its measurement from the centered part of the viewfinder. This type gets an accurate reading from a critical point and works well when there is even range of light values.
Center-Weighted Average is useful when you want to emphasize your subject since the exposure is averaged around the center.

"Ying Yang" captured by Steve Partridge (Click Image to See More From Steve Partridge)

Certain cameras offer Center-Weighted Evaluative option where the entire image is considered. However when calculating exposure, the middle point of the image still gets more attention.
Evaluative Metering works by dividing the image into sections. The number of these segments varies from one camera to the next. The meter reads the light value coming in from each of these segments and calculates the best exposure.
Spot Metering measures a spot or very small area of the image to base the exposure on. “Spot mode” is useful when the surrounding area is either darker or lighter then the subject itself. This method is preferred when working in difficult lighting situations and it works well when you have a specific area of the image that is critical for exposure.
Multi Area feature provides an additional type of metering which measures light values around the detail areas of your subjects. This type of metering delivers better lighting results.

Metering Method Tips for Super Vivid Picture Shots

• Bright Area (Bright Area and White Objects fool the meter to read brighter light values). Point the Spot Metering at the brightest area of the scene. Check the suggested exposure and close down the f-stop by 1. This technique is suitable when shooting a bright sandy beach, a sunset as well as a snowy scene.
• Dark Area (Dark Area / Dark Objects fool the camera’s meter to register darker values than the actual tones). Point the Spot Metering at the darkest area. Check the suggested exposure and increase the aperture setting by 1. This technique will get correct tones.
• Mid-Grey Area – To capture details of a mid-gray area, set the camera for “suggested exposure”.

"Fog Shrouded" captured by Debra Vanderlaan

Using various metering modes allows you to understand how the camera evaluates light in various metering modes. Experimenting with different metering modes will allow you to capture vivid colors and will add to your photography skills.