If you own a DSLR, it’s important to learn how to set the metering mode on your camera in order to expose your photos properly. There are times when the proper setting is crucial for getting the shot you want, and can be especially helpful for photos involving lights and candles.
On my Nikon, there are three metering modes from which to choose: 3D color matrix II, center weighted, and spot metering. Here are their descriptions from my camera’s manual:
Spot metering works most of the time, exposing for the part of the scene where I’ve chosen to set the focus. In the following example, however, spot metering didn’t work.
The following two photos were taken in the middle of the day in a sunlit room. In the first, the camera was set to spot metering. Since the candle was the point of focus and the camera exposed for it, everything else was dark.
The next photo was taken seconds later. The only change was setting the metering mode to the 3D color matrix II option, which is just a fancy way of saying that the camera exposed for the overall scene, not the focal point.
If you don’t know how to adjust the metering mode on your camera, now’s a great time to pull out that manual and learn how.
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Thank you for posting this. I had no idea what the metering meant! LOL I just got a dslr camera and am totally lost…posts like this I find very informative!
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Can you recommend any situations where you would use one setting over another?
Awesome tip. Love the candle.
Me and my Canon often have arguments because I’m not up to speed on my manual. I know it’s not his fault.
Metering is something that I’ve been paying very close attention to lately!
Great tip! My brain knows this but never seems to put it into practice. Your example was wonderful and I think it will help me recognize when I need to change the metering.