Digital Photography Tips For Beginners

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Photography Tips for Beginners - Exposure Compensation and Metering Modes

 Assuming you have set the ISO to a specific level, eg. ISO 100, the metering system in your camera measures the amount of light in the photo and tells you the aperture and shutter speed needed for a correct exposure. There are usually 3 types of metering methods used in today's DSLR cameras.

Multi-Segment Metering

Most cameras use multi-segment metering as the default metering system. In Nikon cameras this is called Matrix Metering. In Canon cameras it is referred to as Evaluative Metering. Other brands of camera may have slightly different terminology. This metering system measures the brightness in several areas in the photo and finds an average (emphasis varies depending on the camera). This type of metering can be fooled by more challenging lighting conditions such as strong backlighting.

Strong backlighting conditions are where the amount of light on the background is far more intense than the amount of light on the foreground area. This usually happens when you shoot a subject indoors, with a brightly lit outdoor background.

Ideal lighting conditions are where there is a similar amount of light illuminating both the background and foreground. Ideal lighting is where the camera's multi-segment metering does a good job.

Spot Metering

Nikon calls it Spot Metering, while Canon calls it Partial Metering. For pinpoint control on the area for which the camera measures brightness, use spot metering if it's available. This metering system only samples a very small point within the photo (usually in the center) instead of several areas. You can press the shutter release halfway to meter the desired area, hold the AE lock button, and then re-frame the shot.

Alternatively, take an exposure reading with spot metering, note the aperture and shutter speed, and switch to manual exposure mode. This enables you to focus on a subject which isn't what you measured the exposure on.

Center Weighted Metering

This metering method is designed for a simple straightforward portrait of a person, positioned in the center of the frame. It measures the center area (in some cameras, the amount of area measured can be set by the user) and bases its exposure recommendation on this area.

Exposure Compensation

Normally, exposure compensation is used in the semi-auto modes such as Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority. This puts a certain degree of control (though not as complete as Manual exposure) in the hands of the photographer. In Aperture Priority mode, you can tell the camera to expose brighter by pressing the EV button (usually indicated by a +/- icon) and shifting the control dial towards the positive (eg. +1 which means 1 stop brighter). This is helpful in backlit conditions. In Nikon cameras the range of adjustment is all the way to +5.

In Manual exposure mode, you are essentially performing exposure compensation if you are using a Aperture/Shutter combination that is not what is advised by the exposure meter.

Andy Lim conducts practical hands-on photography workshops for groups as well as private classes at SimpleSLR PhotoClass. For an online photography course that is extensive, yet easy to understand, Digital Photography Success teaches you how to get your photos from just average to a professional level. From landscape to children and pets, to night shots and fireworks, specific scenes are discussed and technical terms are simple to follow.

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digital photography tips for beginners5
digital photography tips for beginners5
digital photography tips for beginners5

Digital Photography Tips For Beginners

1

Digital Photography explained to Beginners

Thanks to digital technology there are a number of people who've taken up the art of photography. With digital cameras, you now don't have to worry about prints gone wasted when the photographs aren't as good you had intended them to be. For those who've got a new digital camera and learning the basics here are a few tips on the subtle art of digital photography. Doesn't matter if you are a novice an amateur or a pro, digital photography is here to help you out.

So what exactly is digital photography? It's the technology of using a digital camera to capture stills that can be viewed in camera. Thanks to the digital camera it's now possible to view instantly what's wrong or right about the photograph. You are allowed to make mistakes as these photos can be deleted instantly. It's also easy and cheap to edit photos, by improving the tone, retouching areas, and adding a background. It's easy to send these photographs as well via email.

These are cheaper as well, as you don't have to buy anything other than batteries. There are two basic types of cameras, the DSLR and the automatic. The DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) is for those who are serious about their hobby since these cameras give ample control over the image.

Beginners looking to further their interest in photography need to get themselves a computer and a printer that enables them to take instant pictures of their images. Also make sure that your operating system is compatible with the camera and software that you are using. Professionals often use software like adobe Photoshop and ImageReady to help them edit and store photographs.

Before you set out to shoot images, remember there are a few steps to ensure that your photos look professional. Remember to pose your subject with care. The lighting too is important; too weak and the subject looks blurred, too harsh and the subject seems flawed. Also remember to use flash and zoom with care. These features need practice. For those who would love to know more about the different aspect so photography, there are many professional photographers who are more than willing to help to beginners. For example there are many photographers in Glasgow who have websites that are dedicated to educate the beginner about the different elements of photography.

These photographers in Glasgow generally are the best people to look for specialist photography like wedding photography, graduation photography etc. A beginner can always log on to their site and get to know more about the different aspects of photography.

About the Author

The author of this article deals with Wedding Photographers Glasgow. The articles on Photographers Glasgow express the author's knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on Wedding photographers as well.

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digital photography tips for beginners5
digital photography tips for beginners5