Our cameras are powerful tools with very sophisticated metering systems. I believe my camera can out think me when it comes to establishing a “base” exposure; one that is the best overall exposure for the ISO and aperture selected and the light value of the scene. But, once I have my base exposure, I take control to determine whether I want to go with the image as metered or, whether I want to use exposure compensation for creative control of my images. Sometimes it’s as simple as dialing in a little bit of minus exposure compensation to deepen the tonal values and add saturation to my image…
- .5 Exposure Compensation
Or, I may dial in plus exposure compensation to brighten my subject and bring out detail against a bright sky…
+ 1 Exposure Compensation
Other times I use exposure compensation to shift the overall exposure to compensate for blinkies (as discussed in the 4/20 Tech Tuesday). A bald eagle against dark green foliage is going to have a blown out head every time at zero compensation so, I automatically dial in minus exposure compensation (from -.5 to -1.5 depending on the background) to capture detail in the head…
- 1 Exposure Compensation
I typically use this general rule for any white or bright subjects against a darker background to capture detail in the highlight areas.
When I have a subject that is backlit and I want to increase the drama, I will dial in minus compensation. Photographing the steam of Old Faithful against the sunrise, I needed to dial in minus compensation to reduce the blinkies and to add drama to the steam. In this case, I dialed in minus 3 stops and there were still blinkies where the sun burned through the steam. I compromised with some blinkies in order to reduce the amount of totally black areas in the steam…
- 3 Exposure Compensation
So, next time you are out shooting don’t just accept the exposure your camera suggests. Try exposure compensation for creative control over your images. Plus compensation will brighten the image and minus compensation will darken the image adding saturation. What mood do you want to convey? It’s your image, take control of your exposure so that you can express your vision of the scene.
Tech Facts: Camera set to Matrix metering, Aperture Priority compose, exposure, check the rear lcd for blinkies and dial in compensation as needed to correct for blown out highlights or dial in minus to add drama and increase saturation in your image.
