Tips > Exposure > Manual Exposure

When using the Manual (M) exposure mode, you select both the lens opening and shutter speed.

Number Line

There's a "number line" in the viewfinder.

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"Correct"

As you change the lens opening or shutter speed, a tiny black or green dot moves back-and-forth below the number line.

When the dot is below 0, that's the "correct" exposure.

Correct is in quotes because you may want to move the dot elsewhere on the number line.

You may want to intentionally over- or underexpose a photograph.

Underexposing

For example, let's say you're photographing the Grand Canyon.

If you want to make the colors more vivid, move the dot to the minus side of the number line.

You're underexposing.

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Overexposing

Let's say you're photographing a friend.

The sun, and the canyon, are behind her.

She's in shadow.

The light meter in your camera measures the light.

The light meter will probably "see" the bright canyon, and will set the exposure accordingly.

But, you want to see your friend's face, which is in shadow.

You don't want to use flash, so you open the lens opening.

You're overexposing.

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Moving the Dot

Make sure the exposure mode is set to Manual (M).

Don't confuse manual exposure, the M on the exposure mode dial, with manual focus, the M on or near the lens.

Digital SLR (DSLR) Camera

If you're camera has two knobs, one of them will change the lens opening, and the other, the shutter speed.

If you're camera has one knob, it will probably change the shutter speed.

To change the lens opening, press and hold the button with an icon of a lens opening, and turn the knob.

Point-&-Shoot Camera

Check the instruction manual for how to move the dot.

Which Lens Opening?

Which Shutter Speed?

At first, limit your variables.

Set the shutter speed for the prevailing light.

Try the following shutter speeds.

Sunny	Cloudy or Shady	Very Bright Indoors
1/1,000th	1/125th	1/60th

Once you set the shutter speed, you can ignore it unless the brightness of the light changes.

You only have to change the lens opening.

Move the dot so it's under the 0.

Once you're more familiar with setting the exposure manually, you can vary the shutter speed more.

You can also use the settings in the Light Values Chart.