How to determine which light metering mode to use?

11 years 5 months ago #253852 by April77
So here's something I never cared to mess with and just now trying to understand. So my Canon Rebel has different metering modes. How do you determine which metering mode is best over others for a shooting situation?

Is there a golden rule that says you need to use a certain metering mode when shooting landscapes, but when shooting portraits you need to use another metering mode?


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11 years 5 months ago #253872 by Baydream
This is a good short article with illustrations on the various light metering modes.
prairielightimages.com/2012/04/camera-li...g-modes-illustrated/
In my wildlife photography I use mostly spot metering and center weighted. The spot metering is because I often have broad differences between the bird in flight and the bright sky. I want the subject to be as clear as possible. Landscapes work best for me in matrix IF the contrast is not too great.. That is just my method and others will have differing opinions.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

Photo Comments
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11 years 5 months ago #253875 by Joves
Well it truly depends on the lighting conditions as always. Say you are doing landscapes and the lighting is heavily mottled, varies greatly. This is where Matrix metering shines because it takes an overall measurement, and balances, or averages it out. For portraits sine most of the time you are using controlled lighting Spot metering is your friend. I know with my D300 I can change the size of my spot metering area from very narrow to very wide. I do use Spot metering on landscapes and wildlife with a wider metering zone. There is a reason for it because then I can split the metering area between light and dark then average it myself. Works for me. I hardly ever use Center Weighted , well simply because I try not to center subjects, old habit.


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11 years 5 months ago #253876 by KCook
Whatever a photographer is most comfortable with, so no "golden" or universal rule.

My rule with my Canon is to use Evaluative for landscapes and most other wide angle scenes in daylight. The exception would be really odd lighting, such as a sunrise/set.

Portrait is not nearly so clear cut. In very good lighting I would stick with Evaluative, in the worst of light Spot mode, Partial for everything in between. Though many photographers get good results with CenterWeightedAverage.

Links to more thoughts on metering -

www.photographytalk.com/photography-arti...mera-reads-the-light

www.photographytalk.com/photography-arti...2-in-camera-metering

www.photographytalk.com/forum/beginner-p...s-towards-their-back

www.expertphotography.com/understanding-...modes-exposure-easie

neilvn.com/tangents/exposure-metering/metering-modes/

Kelly Cook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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