Question from a struggling starter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Missdaisies
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Missdaisies

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Hi

Ive mentioned before that I was just starting out learning the technicalities and am starting my C&G basic photography and have done a very basic evening course.

Ive been through all the basics and understand all of it - aperture, shutter speed, composition, ISO etc.

The only thing that Im struggling with is how to decide on the right exposure. All my books refer to the cameras in built meter. But im really not sure where this is or how to use it :(. I understand that the relationship between shutter speed and aperture and if you change one, you change the other - but I just dont know how to find that "perfect exposure" from the meter. I had thought it was the little scale through the viewfinder that goes to plus and minus.

Ive been wanting to ask this question for such a long time, but felt a bit daft - hopefully someone will help a struggling starter :thinking:

Ive also looked around for photographers who do days or half days tuition but cant find any in my area, I thought that this might be a good idea to do, maybe later in the year when I could afford it.

Thanks so much
Sharon
 
It would help to know what camera you're using, then someone with the same camera can tell exactly where to find the meter and what it looks like. Generally it will be a series of vertical lines with a 0 in the middle, a - on the left and a + on the right. The current reading will be a mark above or below the vertical lines and be by the 0 if the settings are giving what the camera considers a good exposure.
 
The only daft question is the question you dont ask..

the scale will show you what the camera thinks is the right exposure.. the camera isnt always right.

have you looked into your histogram and how to read that?
 
Just a thought...

The scale you see in the viewfinder is the meter however you'll only see it change if you're shooting in manual mode or have applied some exposure compensation.
 
viewfinderview.gif


This is the viewfinder and bottom right is the row of vertical lines with -2..1..v..1..+2 above them. The v marks the centre point and the if vertical line below is under it then the exposure settings are correct for the reading from the meter. If you increase the shutter speed or stop down then the meter will move to the left (under exposed) and vice versa.

Is that what you're after?
 
pxl8 said:
viewfinderview.gif


This is the viewfinder and bottom right is the row of vertical lines with -2..1..v..1..+2 above them. The v marks the centre point and the if vertical line below is under it then the exposure settings are correct for the reading from the meter. If you increase the shutter speed or stop down then the meter will move to the left (under exposed) and vice versa.

Is that what you're after?
Click to expand...

Its exactly what Im after, thanks, its much appreciated!

Sharon
 
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