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Understanding and Utilizing the Exposure Compensation Button
Exposure compensation is a feature found on most digital cameras that allows you to manually adjust the exposure value (EV) of a photo, making it brighter or darker.
This feature is handy in situations where the camera’s automatic exposure settings might not produce the desired result, such as in high-contrast scenes or low-light conditions[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”23518″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” title=”Exposure Compensation”][vc_column_text]
What is Exposure Compensation?
Exposure compensation (EC) is a feature that allows you to adjust your photos’ exposure value (EV). The exposure value determines the amount of light that enters the camera’s sensor, and it is controlled by three factors: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. When you use exposure compensation, you adjust one or more of these factors to make the photo brighter or darker.
Why Use Exposure Compensation?
The camera’s automatic exposure system does an excellent job of calculating the correct exposure in many situations, but there are times when it can be fooled. For example, if you’re shooting a subject against a bright background, the camera might expose for the background, leaving your subject underexposed. Or, if you’re shooting in low-light conditions, the camera might select a slow shutter speed, resulting in blurry photos.
In these situations, exposure compensation can help you get the correct exposure. Adjusting the EV manually makes the photo brighter or darker, depending on your needs. For example, if you’re shooting a subject against a bright background, you can use exposure compensation to make the subject brighter so it’s not underexposed.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”23520″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” title=”Exposure Compensation”][vc_column_text]
How to Use Exposure Compensation?
Using exposure compensation is relatively easy. Most digital cameras have a dedicated button with a +/- symbol. Pressing this button allows you to adjust the exposure value in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 stops. A positive value (+) makes the photo brighter, while a negative value (-) makes it darker.
The exact method for adjusting exposure compensation varies depending on the camera model, but most cameras will display the current exposure value on the LCD screen or viewfinder. Some cameras also have a dedicated dial or joystick for adjusting exposure compensation, making it easier to make quick adjustments.
When to Use Exposure Compensation?
Exposure compensation is particularly useful when the camera’s automatic exposure system might not produce the desired result. Here are some situations where you might want to use exposure compensation:
- High-contrast scenes: If you’re shooting a subject against a bright background, the camera might expose for the background, leaving your subject underexposed. In this case, you can use exposure compensation to make the subject brighter.
- Low-light conditions: In low-light conditions, the camera might select a slow shutter speed, resulting in blurry photos. You can use exposure compensation to increase the ISO or open up the aperture to make the image brighter.
- Backlit scenes: If you’re shooting a subject with the sun behind them, the camera might underexpose the subject. You can use exposure compensation to make the subject brighter.
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Conclusion
Exposure compensation is a powerful tool that allows you to adjust your photos’ exposure value manually. By making your photos brighter or darker, you can achieve the desired exposure even in situations where the camera’s automatic exposure system might not be accurate. With some practice, you’ll soon be able to use exposure compensation to take better photos in various situations.
Join our Photography Bootcamp program to learn more. Photography Bootcamp is a six-week program comprising six classroom sessions and two field trips. All hands-on and small class sizes provide the best learning environment for beginners.
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]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 be more than happy to answer them. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more Free Tutorials and Tips.
Ted and the Omnilargess Team
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