Beecher's Handouts >
Setting Exposure >
13.6 - Exposure Compensation
The exposure compensation feature allows you to shift the exposure
setting up or down—plus or minus.
Why Exposure Compensation
Is Needed
Let's say you're changing the exposure settings using the following
exposure modes.
• Aperture-priority exposure mode (A or Av)
• Shutter-priority exposure mode (S or Tv)
The brightness of each exposure stays the same, even though you
change the lens opening or the shutter speed.
When you change one, the camera changes the other, to keep the
exposure brightness the same.
You have to use exposure compensation to make a photograph lighter
(overexposed) or darker (underexposed).
Uses for Exposure Compensation
Richer Colors
Let's say you're photographing red petroglyphs on a canyon wall
in Nevada.
You want the photograph to be a little darker, underexposed,
to make the colors richer.
Set the exposure compensation to -0.5 or -1.0.
The petroglyphs will be a deeper red.
Bracketing
Let's say you're photographing the sunset in Lugarno.
Sunsets can look good lighter and darker.
So, you photograph the sun at different exposure compensation
settings.
This is called bracketing.
If you're not sure of the exposure, bracket.
Most cameras can be set to automatically bracket.
How to Use Exposure Compensation
To use exposure compensation, hold down the +/– button.
A number line will appear.
| -2 |
♦ |
♦ |
-1 |
♦ |
♦ |
0 |
♦ |
♦ |
+1 |
♦ |
♦ |
+2 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
• |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turn
a knob, or press on a rocker switch, to adjust the compensation.
A plus setting makes the photograph brighter.
A minus setting makes it darker.
| +1.5 |
Adds 1.5 stops |
Lighter |
| +1.0 |
Adds one stop |
Lighter |
| +0.5 |
Adds 1/2 stop |
Lighter |
| 0.0 |
None |
- |
|
–0.5
|
Subtracts 1/2 stop |
Darker |
| –1.0 |
Subtracts one stop |
Darker |
| –1.5 |
Subtracts 1.5 stops |
Darker |
A Few Canon Cameras
With a few Canon cameras, you have to switch the on/off switch
on the back of the camera to the slash icon.
Then, do the following.
1) Fill the frame with the part of the scene that you want to
photograph.
2) Turn on the light meter (depress the shutter release slightly).
3) Turn the knob on the back of the camera to adjust
the exposure compensation.
Example
+3.0
+2.0
+1.0
0.0
-1.0
-2.0
-3.0
Which One?
Which of the above exposures is the best?
Let's say you're a book designer.
Long Path
For the cover of a book about the Long Path, a trail that goes
from New York City to the Adirondacks, you may select the +2.0 exposure.
That's because the blue trail blaze on the tree looks the best.
All About the Seasons
If you're choosing a photograph for a children's science book
about the seasons, you may choose the +1.0 exposure.
The autumn leaves look the best.
Death in Podunk
For a book cover of a mystery book, Death in Podunk,
you may choose the darkest, most underexposed exposure.
It's mysterious.
Warning
When using exposure compensation, most cameras display a +/–
icon on the LCD screen.
Check periodically to make sure the exposure compensation icon
is absent—unless you're using the feature.
Let's say you photographed a 1950s car.
You set the exposure compensation to -2.0 to make the chrome
bumper stand out from the aqua paint of the car.
That was yesterday.
Today, you're photographing a friend's baby, little Hunter.
You remember to check for the +/- icon.
You change the exposure compensation to 0.0 from -2.0 before
photographing Hunter.
Go to Check List.
