Guide to Exposure Metering Modes

While you may understand how to utilize the simpler features on your digital camera such as the flash and zoom, or maybe even more complex features such as exposure modes, one feature that often remains a mystery to many casual photographers is the metering mode.

The metering mode selected on a digital camera decides how the camera’s exposure sensor will react when a photo is taken. Different metering modes determine how much light is needed and how long the shutter remains open.

Don’t worry if you’re confused - this article will help to explain the difference between the three metering modes available on digital cameras and how to choose between them to take better photos.


1. Center-Weighted Metering Mode

The Center-Weighted metering mode is without a doubt the most imprecise of the three metering modes we will be looking at in this article. Being more suited towards casual photographers who want to take everyday snapshots, this metering mode takes more consideration into the amount of light located in the center of the scene so that objects centered in the photograph are properly exposed.

Although you do not need to avoid this metering mode altogether, using the Center-Weighted metering mode may give you more impressive results with many of your photographs.


2. Matrix / Multi-segment Metering Mode

While the Center-Weighted metering mode uses a simple and sometimes inaccurate method of measuring the light in you photographs, the Matrix or Multi-segment metering mode takes a more detailed approach. By splitting the scene into many segments and then measuring the exposure data based on the position of each segment, the Matrix / Multi-segment metering mode manages to deliver exceptional quality photos in various lighting conditions and levels of contrast.

Although it is not perfect for every situation, this metering mode is an excellent choice for photography in most conditions. However, when you require better exposure for very high contrast scenes, think about taking a look at the next metering mode.


3. Spot Metering Mode

Maybe you’ve tried taking a photo using the standard Center-Weighted or Matrix / Multi-segment metering modes and neither provide satisfying results. Don’t give up yet, because turning to the Spot metering mode may give you that extra helping hand that you need.

This metering mode can provide excellent results for high-contrast scenes, and it achieves them by measuring light in the center of the scene alone – anywhere between 1 and 10 percent depending on your digital camera – and exposing the photo with the subject in mind.

So the next time you are trying to take a high-contrast shot, think about trying out the Spot metering mode – so long as your subject is in the center of the scene then this metering mode should avoid over or underexposure in almost any situation.

Buy Digital Camera Lenses

We all need to learn about digital camera lenses because they are fundamental to good photography.

However, how do you distinguish between the different kinds of lenses? Wide-angle or telephoto? What focal length and what speed? What brand of lens do you buy?

This article acts as a guide to explain the jargon and to allow you make a better-informed purchase the next time you are shopping for a new digital camera lens.

Choosing a Suitable Focal Length

Focal length is probably the most important factor that should be considered when choosing a lens, and for good reason: focal lengths determine the field-of-view of the photos you will be able to take successfully with your camera.

The two main types of focal length are telephoto and wide-angle, and while telephoto lenses have a narrow field-of-view and are best suited for close-up shots and portraits, wide-angle lenses have a wider field-of-view which is perfect for indoor photography and landscapes.

Keep in mind that the performance of lenses can differ from camera to camera, with the magnification power behind a lens generally being greater on a digital camera than on a 35mm film-based camera.

The Need For Speed …

When you hear about fast and slow lenses, reference is being made to a lens's maximum aperture, which is the maximum amount of light that a lens can let in. A simple rule of thumb is that a fast lens lets in a lot of light, while a slow lens lets in less light, which defines how your photos will look.

Maximum apertures are measured in f/stop numbers, which are actually a ratio of the size of the lens aperture and focal length. The smaller the f/stop number, the more light is let in. An increment in the f/stop number doubles the amount of light let in, so f/1.4 lets more light than f/2.0.

This may seem quite confusing at first, so the easiest way to make sense of it is to remember the following: fast lenses are best suited towards successful photography in darker lighting conditions, and slow lenses are targeted towards photography in lighter conditions.

The Ins and Outs of a Zoom Lens

Unlike a fixed-focal-length lens, a zoom lens often gives you the diversity of a range of focal lengths all rolled into a single adjustable lens. This can be great if you often have to switch between various lenses for different shots, but it is important to remember that not all zoom lenses have a constant maximum aperture, and those that do are often larger and more expensive.

Although the maximum aperture may be reduced as you zoom in using a lens with a variable maximum aperture, this may not be as important to some photographers as the reduced cost and size of such lenses. Keep this in mind when purchasing a zoom lens.

Add-on Lenses

Add-on or accessory lenses are targeted towards compact digital cameras, and allow owners of such models to significantly lengthen or reduce the camera's built-in focal length while at the same time being able to automate camera functions including f/stop settings and focusing.

These lenses can be an excellent low-cost add-on to your digital camera, with telephoto add-on lenses being able to increase focal lengths by up to 300%, and wide-angle versions allowing for reduction in focal lengths of up to 30%.

Prevent Your Digital Photos From Fading

To prevent your photos from fading, you need to have a combination of a good printer, good paper, as well as good ink.

1. Get a good printer
2. Select good paper
3. Store prints in an album
4. Display in frame under a glass
5. Keep photos out of sunlight and humid areas
6. Make sure prints are dry before stacking
   

Aperture Didital Photography Fundamental

This document explains digital terminology for the professional photographer who is new to computers and digital photography.

Aperture is a powerful digital photography application designed to help you produce the best images possible. However, many factors outside of Aperture can affect the quality of your images. Being mindful of all these factors can help prevent undesirable results.

The following chapters explain how your camera captures a digital image, how images are displayed onscreen and in print, and how cameras, displays, and printers measure image resolution.

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10 TIPS TEKNIK KOMPOSISI PHOTOGRAPHY

1.BACKGROUND
Ketika membidik subyek, perhatikan background alias latar belakangnya. Latar yang endukung tentunya akan semakin memperindah subyek yang biasa-biasa saja. Sebaliknya, pemilihan latar belakang yang tidak bagus bisa merusak subyek yang indah.

2.SIMPEL
Komposisi terkuat adalah yang pesannya bisa sampai dengan cepat. Potretlah blok-blok angunan yang membentuk garis dan bentuk. Biasa subyeknya, luar biasa hasilnya.

3.MEMPRIBADI
Apa sih yang membuat anda tertarik pada suatu subyek tingginya bangunan, pola-pla yang ada di ladang, bentuk bunga? Munculkan di hasil foto sehingga mencerminkan gaya anda.

4.HATI-HATI DENGAN CROPING
Saat memotret orang, hindari pemotongan di lutut atau mata kaki.

5.PIKIRKAN ANGKA
Angka gasal biasanya secara visual cenderung lebih menarik ketimbang angka genap. Segitiga, misalnya, terlihat lebih dinamis dibanding bentuk bujur sangkar atau persegi panjang. Tiga memang angka “ajaib”..

6.SEMANGAT DIRI
Katakan pada diri sendiri bahwa anda akan menghasilkan karya foto terbaik hari ini. Ini penting, karena setidaknya bisa menyemangati anda sendiri untuk berusaha lebih baik.

7.BELAJAR DARI PAKAR
Pada ini, kami telah memberi sejumlah masukan bermanfaat dari tiga pakar di bidangnya. Cobalah anda amati komposisi di karya-karya mereka, dan perhatikan elemen-elemen yang membentuknya.

8.HINDARI KLISE
Jangan puas hanya meniru foto lain yang pernah anda lihat. Cobalah pikirkan tentang penggunaan lensa, pengaturan dan sudut pandang yang berbeda. Jangan takut bila harus bertiarap diatas lumpur atau pasir. Bertekatlah untuk menciptakan sesuatu yang lebih artistik dari yang pernah anda buat tahun lalu.

9.POTRET SEBANYAKNYA
Hasil jepretan pertama memang jarang bila langsung menjadi yang terbaik. Jangan takut untuk memotret sebanyak-banyaknya, karena toh sekarang anda tak akan menghabiskan film. Gali terus ide-ide anda untuk meningkatkan kualitas karya.

10.TERUS TENTENG KAMERA
Semakin banyak andamemotret semakin kuat pula kesadaran komposisi anda. Lalu, ketika ada momentum penting muncul, anda bisa dengan cepat memotretnya dengan hasil komposisi yang jempolan.

Source : Snap Photo Techniques