Which metering mode is best for portraits?

13 years 2 days ago #55034 by Singa
Which metering mode is best for portraits? spot? matrix? ( I know there is another one, can't think what it's called)


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13 years 2 days ago #55037 by Whyme
Depends on the shot you have. Shooting portraits, you can use any metering mode you want, all depends what you want for your shot.


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13 years 2 days ago #55274 by Maverick V
Matrix :thumbsup:


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13 years 2 days ago #55492 by Joves
Depends on the shooting conditions or more the lighting conditions. For stusio with good controlled lighting then Spot would be best. If you are out doors and the lighting is mixed plus you are not using fill light, then Matrix will average the whole scene and make the adjustment. If you are dealing with a very lit subject outdoors especially and there are harsh shadows then you need fill lighting wether using a reflector or a flash as fill. If you are shooting in say a club or in a house I would use spot and meter off the face, Matrix can get fooled and shoot too dark in those settings.


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13 years 1 day ago #55671 by KCook
Canon brand cameras have a jumbo sized spot, in addition to the usual small spot. Canon calls this meter mode "Partial". I'm lazy, just use that for quick shots.

For an in-depth treatment, use this link -
Nailing the Exposure

Kelly Cook

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

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13 years 1 day ago - 13 years 1 day ago #55686 by Henry Peach
Setting the metering mode adjusts what parts of the scene are being metered. The subject, the scene, the lighting, your exposure technique, etc... could all effect why you might want to use a particular mode, but only you can figure that out. Start by reading the short section on meter modes in you camera manual.

Just because your camera can do something it doesn't mean you have to do it. Small format cameras are designed to be jack-of-all-trade cameras so they can make a few cameras that cover all the different ways people use them. There are plenty of features on your camera that may not be useful or suited to your subject matter or shooting style. I rarely change the meter mode from matrix.
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13 years 1 day ago #56002 by Stealthy Ninja
Depends on the lighting conditions.

You see what I just did?!

If not, here's an illustration:
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