Page 71 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

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METERING MODES
MULTI-AREA METERING
Also known as evaluative, matrix, or multi-zone
metering, this mode is the default on all modern cameras.
It divides the entire frame into cells, or zones, each of which
is metered independently. The camera then compares the
distribution of light and shade across the scene against an
internal database of common situations and deduces what
type of scene you’re shooting. This information—as well as
factors such as where the camera is focused—is then used
to calculate the final exposure. Multi-area metering is
generally very accurate for most types of photography.

◀ Multi-area metering gives all control to
the camera, allowing it to make the exposure
based on the light across the whole scene.

SPOT METERING
In this mode, the camera will meter from one specific
zone only, usually the zone at the middle of the frame, which
is shown in the viewfinder or on the LCD as a small central
circle or square. However, some cameras link the spot-
metering zone to the active AF point instead. This mode
lets you take an accurate reading from your subject without
other areas of the scene affecting the exposure. This is useful
when the rest of the scene is predominantly dark or light,
which would cause an inaccurate exposure if using multi-
area or center-weighted metering.

◀ In spot metering, you should always
take a reading from a mid-toned section
of your scene.

CENTER-WEIGHTED METERING
An older mode that has now largely been
replaced by multi-area metering, this option is still available
and can be more accurate and consistent than multi-area. It
bases the exposure reading on a fuzzy region at the center of
the frame and places less emphasis on the edges. This bias
makes center-weighted metering ideal for portraits, especially
when the subject is in the center of the shot. Center-weighted
metering is very straightforward to use.

◀ The light background of this portrait was
ignored by center-weighted metering, and the
exposure was taken from the subject’s face.

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