The Textbook of Digital Photography - PhotoCourse

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hArd to meter SCeneS
Occasionally it’s not convenient or even possible to meter a scene. Neon
street signs, spotlit circus acts, fireworks, moonlit scenes, and many similar
situations are all difficult and sometimes impossible to meter. In these cases,
it’s easiest simply to experiment with the exposure controls on your camera.
For example, after taking a picture at the suggested exposure, use exposure
compensation or autoexposure bracketing to take other exposures both
lighter and darker than the suggested settings.

A relatively small
subject against a
wide expanse of sky
will almost always be
underexposed unless
you use exposure
compensation.


This scene has a bright
sky and one brightly
illuminated fisherman
against a dark
background. A scene
such as this is hard to
meter because of the
variety of lighting.

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