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How to Meter Correctly When Taking Digital Photographs

Your camera's meter works by measuring the intensity of the incoming light and altering the shutter speed and aperture settings of your camera appropriately so that the scene you are photographing is properly exposed. Many camera meters have different modes for the photographer to select exactly how the meter should work, and each mode is appropriate for different situations. Scenes that are difficult for a camera's meter to measure automatically--such as scenes with a lot of white or black areas--may require some additional work from the photographer.

Instructions

- 1
  Choose spot metering if your camera supports it. Digital single lens reflex cameras should give you the ability to select your metering mode. Inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras, however, may not. Consult your camera's user guide to see if your camera's meter mode can be changed. The default is usually evaluative metering, which will use light intensity measurements from the entire frame. Spot meter mode will use a light reading from a single point in the photo.
- 2
  Point your camera so that the area of the scene with the most neutral light is in the center. For instance, if you are photographing a sunset with a strong light gradient, point your camera so that the center of the gradient (the middle point between the lightest and darkest areas) is in the center of your frame.
- 3
  Press your shutter button half way to engage your camera's meter. Your camera will measure the area in the center of the frame and set the exposure settings so that this area is properly exposed. This will help to ensure that the light areas are not overexposed and the dark areas are not underexposed.
- 4
  Move your camera to frame the scene the way you want to photograph it while keeping the shutter button half depressed. This will keep the exposure settings saved while you reorient your shot. When the scene looks the way you want it to in the camera, press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.

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