Take a Light Reading
Light readings help the photographer or cinematographer select camera settings, such as aperture and shutter speed, that will result in an image with proper exposure. A handheld or in-camera light meter is used to make a reading. Depending on lighting conditions, one type of reading may be more accurate than another. A reflected light reading measures the intensity of light reflected off a subject while while incident metering measures the strength of the light source itself. Spot metering, as the name implies, measures light from a specific area in the scene.
Instructions
Making a Reflected or Incident Reading
1. Locate your subject. If you are working under tricky lighting conditions, select which part of your subject requires proper exposure.
2. Hold your meter two to three inches from your subject at a 90-degree angle to make a reflected light reading.
3. Operate the meter's controls if necessary. Manual meters require you to rotate a dial to arrive at the recommended exposure settings. New digital models are mostly automatic and will produce settings on an LCD display screen.
4. Stand near your subject and point the meter toward the light source to make an incident reading. Repeat Step 3 if applicable.
5. Read the meter's recommended settings and adjust your camera accordingly.
Making a Spot Reading
6. Point your meter, or your camera if it has a built-in spot meter, at your scene.
7. Look through the viewfinder of your meter or camera and move the metering spot to the part of the scene that requires proper exposure.
8. Interface with your meter if necessary.
9. Read the recommended settings from the viewfinder screen and adjust your camera accordingly.
Tags: your meter, your subject, proper exposure, your camera, adjust your, adjust your camera
