Back to the Basics: Camera’s Built-in Light Meter

In this new article about Back to the Basics, I discuss the camera’s built-in light meter and share a few tips.

What is a Camera’s Built-in Light Meter?

Photographers use a light meter to measure the light and set the exposure correctly. 

In the old days, we used an external light meter to do the job. Nowadays, almost all digital cameras have advanced built-in light meters. 

Here are a few tips on how to use the built-in light meter to its potential.

There are usually three settings or modes that you need to learn how to use them. 

Evaluative/Matrix Mode:

Evaluative, or Matrix metering, is a metering mode in digital cameras that evaluates the light in different frame areas to determine the proper exposure. It divides the scene into multiple zones and analyzes the brightness and contrast of each zone. Based on this analysis, the camera’s exposure system then calculates the optimal settings.

Here’s a breakdown of how Evaluative metering works:

1. Scene Analysis: The camera’s metering system divides the scene into several zones, often using a sophisticated algorithm that considers the entire frame.
2. Brightness and Contrast Evaluation: Each zone is evaluated for brightness and contrast. This analysis helps the camera understand the scene’s distribution of light and dark areas.
3. Weighted Averaging: The metering system then calculates an exposure setting by considering the brightness values from all zones. Typically, it gives more weight to the central zones, where the main subject is often located.
4. Optimal Exposure: Based on this evaluation, the camera suggests the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve what it believes is the best overall exposure for the entire scene.

When to Use Evaluative/Matrix Metering:

1. General Shooting: Evaluative metering is great for everyday shooting scenarios. It’s designed to provide balanced exposures in various situations, making it suitable for various lighting conditions.
2. Landscapes: When capturing landscapes with a mix of bright and shadowed areas, Evaluative metering can help maintain detail in both the sky and foreground.
3. Portraits with Varied Lighting: In situations where your subject is under different lighting conditions (e.g., a person partially in sunlight and partially in shade), Evaluative metering can help ensure a well-exposed overall image.
4. Action Photography: It’s also suitable for action photography where the subject may move across different lighting conditions.

Example Scenario:

Imagine you’re photographing a person standing in front of a scenic landscape during sunset. The Evaluative metering will consider both the person’s brightness and the landscape, providing an exposure that balances the warm tones of the sunset with the well-lit subject.

Remember, while Evaluative metering is versatile, there may be situations where other metering modes like Spot or Center-weighted metering are more appropriate. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each metering mode will help you make informed decisions based on your specific shooting conditions.

Centre-Weighted Metering Mode:

Center-weighted metering is a mode in digital cameras that prioritizes the central part of the frame when determining the exposure settings. In this mode, the camera places more emphasis on the light readings from the center, and the rest of the frame contributes to a lesser extent to the overall exposure calculation.

Here’s a breakdown of how Center-Weighted metering works:

1. Central Area Priority: The camera’s metering system considers the central portion of the frame to be the most important when measuring light.
2. Weighted Averaging: Unlike Evaluative metering, which evaluates the entire frame, Center-Weighted metering calculates exposure based on an average of the entire frame but gives more weight to the central area.
3. Ideal for Centered Subjects: This metering mode is handy when the main subject is centred in the frame and you want to ensure it’s correctly exposed.

When to Use Center-Weighted Metering:

1. Portrait Photography: When capturing portraits with the subject centred, Center-weight metering can be advantageous. It ensures that the exposure is primarily based on the subject’s lighting, emphasizing their facial features and expressions.
2. Still Life Photography: For scenes where the main subject is in the center, such as a still life arrangement or a stationary object, Center-Weighted metering can provide a balanced exposure.
3. Stage Performances: In situations where the main action is happening in the center of the stage or frame, using Center-weight metering can help achieve proper exposure for the central subjects, even if the lighting conditions vary across the entire scene.
4. Low-Light Conditions: In low-light situations where the center of the frame is better lit than the edges, Center-weight metering can help avoid underexposure of the main subject.

Example Scenario:

Consider photographing a person against a sunset background. If the person is positioned centrally in the frame, using Center-Weighted metering will prioritize the exposure for the person’s face while still considering the overall lighting conditions. This is especially useful when you want to avoid the background influencing the exposure too much.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of metering modes depends on the specific shooting conditions and your creative intent. Experimenting with different metering modes in various scenarios will help you understand their nuances and choose the most suitable one for your photography.

Spot Metering Mode:

Spot metering is a mode in digital cameras that measures the light in a small, specific area of the frame, typically around 1-5% of the total frame. This mode allows photographers to get precise exposure readings from a particular spot, which can be particularly useful when lighting conditions vary within the frame.

Here’s a breakdown of how Spot metering works:

1. Focus on a Specific Area: Spot metering allows you to choose a specific point in the frame, and the camera only measures the light in that area.
2. Limited Coverage: Unlike Evaluative or Center-Weighted metering, which considers a broader portion of the frame, Spot metering focuses on a tiny section, often at the center or wherever the autofocus point is placed.
3. High Precision: Spot metering provides high precision in exposure calculation for the selected spot, ignoring the rest of the scene.

When to Use Spot Metering:

1. Backlit Scenes: Spot metering can be effective when your subject is backlit and you want to expose for the subject rather than the overall scene. This is especially useful when shooting portraits against a bright background.
2. High-Contrast Scenes: In situations with high contrast, such as a subject in strong sunlight with deep shadows, spot metering can help you get an accurate exposure for the specific area of interest.
3. Wildlife Photography: Spot metering is beneficial for wildlife photography, where the subject may be in a different lighting condition than the surroundings. It allows you to measure the animal’s fur or feathers accurately.
4. Precise Control in Manual Mode: When shooting in manual mode, spot metering provides precise control over exposure. You can use it to measure the light on a specific part of the scene and then set your exposure settings accordingly.

Example Scenario:

Imagine capturing a bird perched on a branch against a bright sky. In this situation, you can use spot metering to measure the light specifically on the bird, ensuring that it is well-exposed even if the sky is much brighter. This allows you to maintain detail in the bird without overexposing the sky.

While spot metering provides high precision, it requires careful consideration of where you place the metering spot. Understanding how to use spot metering effectively can significantly enhance your ability to control exposure in challenging lighting conditions.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for daily photography tips and tutorials.

• Instagram
• Facebook

That is all for now. Stay tuned for my following photography Tips. We love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions; feel free to send us your questions, and we will gladly answer them. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more Free Tutorials and Tips.

Ted and the Omnilargess Team