Light Meters

Here is a crude diagram I quickly put together so that we can have a discussion on 'in-camera' light meters. (Depending on the model of your camera- the plus and minus side may or may not be on the same side as this diagram.)You will notice in the diagram that there are two bolder/bigger lines to the minus side and plus side of this diagram. These are STOPS. If your meter reads to the first bold line on the minus side it means that you are 1 stop underexposed. If you are at the second bold line on the plus side it means that you are 2 stops overexposed.

So, how does a light meter work? The camera's light meter reads the light reflecting back from the 'scene' you have selected in the viewfinder. The meter then determines the average exposure within the scene.

Change the MODE of your camera to MANUAL. You will then need to change your shutter speed and f.stop to make the meter read 0. Helpful Hint: Go outside during daylight hours. Set your ISO to 400. Set your shutter speed to 60. Then, all you need to do is change your f.stop until you reach 0. Once you have taken a few different photographs using this method, try setting your f.stop to 5.6. Then change your shutter speed until you get to 0. Repeat these a few times in different locations. (Remember that you should not go under a shutter speed of 60.)

Once you have familiarized yourself with your meter and using your shutter speeds and f.stops to get to 0 you might want to try bracketing.

Exposure Bracketing begins by making a 'correct exposure.' Then you make a picture one stop below the 'correct exposure' and finish by making another picture one stop above the 'correct exposure.'

Example: Original or 'correct exposure' Shutter Speed: 125 F.Stop: 8

Under: Shutter Speed: 125 F.Stop: 11
Over: Shutter Speed: 125 F.Stop: 5.6

*Information from Judith Pisconeri and Light and Lens. www.pisconeri.com