Comments on: 02 – metering modes

By: Rodger

Rodger — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:07:16 +0000

Niel

I’m unable to do much coz I can’t tear myself away from your amazing blog :)

I’ve got a question about spot metering…
lets say I’ve identified a scene I’d like to shoot, but the scene has a high DR.

could i spot meter my subject and expose correctly, then point my AF point to a highlight I intend on keeping in the frame, then use the meter reading to try and determine whether or not it will be blown out. if it is going to be blown out, adjust my exposure slightly to compensate, then repeat the process for a shadow area in my composition?

would this be a wise strategy or overkill?

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:25:03 +0000

The area is too small for a center-weighted meter reading. A spot-metered reading would’ve worked.

In this case, I didn’t alter the exposure in post, since this was shot with slide film. (The image is from decades back, and I pulled it out of the archives because it would be a good illustrative photograph here.)

There’s a certain discipline that comes when you can’t “fix it in Photoshop” that will help your photography technique, and specifically, your metering technique.

Neil vN

By: Indraneel

Indraneel — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:39:28 +0000

Could you have made a CW meter reading from the roof that is lit up, or is the area too small? Or maybe a spot meter from the brown part of the roof, is it not mid tone? Seems like mid tone from squinting my eyes, but it might have looked different from the way you captured it. Do you pre-visualize while shooting, or do you alter exposure in post, or both?

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 05:23:37 +0000

Justin .. I’m not familiar with the Canon RebelT2i / 550D … what does your camera manual say?

Neil vN

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:28:19 +0000

Hi, Neil. I’m newbie in photography. I want ask about spot metering, spot metering is working with all AF points or with the center AF points only on canon 550d? Thanks Neil.

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:35:07 +0000

It’s the short term memory thing … I don’t remember. ; )

Neil vN

By: wiz

wiz — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:32:23 +0000

Thanks for your patience Neil.
Although I noticed that the same questions are asked over and over again on different posts, you answer them each time. Hope you wont lose your patience with us any time soon.

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:24:26 +0000

exactly : )

You could also meter off another entire different area that is in sunlight, and mid-tone.

For example, another building entirely next to that one. As long as you meter off an appropriate area.

Neil vN

By: wiz

wiz — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:02:21 +0000

Then correct me if I’m wrong: I would meter off an area that is middle toned.. not too bright and not too dark. Maybe the area on which the two men are standing on? Seems medium gray to me. (It also depends on how much I can zoom)

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:46:32 +0000

Wiz … I’m not being coy when I tell you that YOU need to figure this out with the help of the description. For if you really can’t .. then I’ve failed in my explanation.

Neil vN