What is metering?
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- Slartibartfast.
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It's a bit like yarding, only the French invented it...
*ahem* It's the means by which you arrive at a correct exposure for the scene you're photographing.
Whether you use manual or one of the automatic-exposure programs.
There many factors to consider; do you prioritise: subject movement (sharp or blurry), camera movement (hand-held or tripod-supported), depth of field (shallow or deep); amount of light available (ISO over shutter-speed & aperture).
After you've answered those questions you can decide which settings fit the look you're trying to achieve.
*ahem* It's the means by which you arrive at a correct exposure for the scene you're photographing.
Whether you use manual or one of the automatic-exposure programs.
There many factors to consider; do you prioritise: subject movement (sharp or blurry), camera movement (hand-held or tripod-supported), depth of field (shallow or deep); amount of light available (ISO over shutter-speed & aperture).
After you've answered those questions you can decide which settings fit the look you're trying to achieve.
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Metering is the business of measuring the light level. This is not always straightforward and the various modes - evaluative/matrix, centre-weighted and spot - are just different ways of doing the same thing. Unless you have some experience, use evaulative (Canon) or matrix (Nikon) - it is much more sophisticated than the other modes. Avoid spot, which can get you into all sorts of trouble unless you know exactly what you're doing.
Then there is exposure setting, which is the business of translating the meter reading into setings on the camera, depending on the effect you want.
In terms of correct exposure, all the meter can do is make its best estimate. Evaluative/matrix is usually pretty good, but the ultimate guide to correct exposure is on the LCD, when used in connection with the histogram and also blinkies (highlight over exposure warning) which is enabled in the menu.
The LCD shows you what you have actually got, taking into account all the many variables - unlike the meter, which is basically only guessing.
The histogram is very easy to understand - good guide here http://www.sekonic.com/images/files/HistogramsLightmetersWorkTogether.pdf
Then there is exposure setting, which is the business of translating the meter reading into setings on the camera, depending on the effect you want.
In terms of correct exposure, all the meter can do is make its best estimate. Evaluative/matrix is usually pretty good, but the ultimate guide to correct exposure is on the LCD, when used in connection with the histogram and also blinkies (highlight over exposure warning) which is enabled in the menu.
The LCD shows you what you have actually got, taking into account all the many variables - unlike the meter, which is basically only guessing.
The histogram is very easy to understand - good guide here http://www.sekonic.com/images/files/HistogramsLightmetersWorkTogether.pdf