Exposure compensation is one of the most important and versatile tools in a photographer’s arsenal. It allows you to adjust the exposure of your photos in a way that’s quick, easy, and effective. But what is exposure compensation, exactly, and how does it work? Let’s take a closer look.
Exposure compensation is a setting found on most modern cameras that allows you to adjust the exposure of your photos by a specified amount. Typically, this is measured in “stops” of light, with each stop representing a doubling or halving of the amount of light entering the camera. So, for example, if you increase the exposure compensation by one stop, you’ll be doubling the amount of light entering the camera, resulting in a brighter image.
But why would you want to adjust the exposure compensation in the first place? There are a few reasons. First, your camera’s light meter is designed to give you a “correct” exposure for the scene you’re shooting. But what if you want your photo to be a little brighter or darker than what the meter suggests? That’s where exposure compensation comes in. By adjusting the exposure compensation, you can override the camera’s meter and get the exposure you want.
Another reason to use exposure compensation is when you’re dealing with tricky lighting situations. For example, if you’re shooting a subject against a bright background, your camera’s meter may get confused and give you an underexposed photo. By increasing the exposure compensation, you can brighten up the subject without blowing out the highlights in the background.
So, how do you use exposure compensation? It’s actually quite simple. On most cameras, you’ll find a button or dial labeled “+/-” or “EV” (short for “exposure value”). This is the exposure compensation control. To adjust the exposure, simply press or turn the control in one direction or the other. You’ll see a scale on your camera’s display that shows you how much exposure compensation you’re applying, typically in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 stops.
It’s worth noting that exposure compensation doesn’t work in all shooting modes. Specifically, in fully manual mode, exposure compensation has no effect, since you’re manually setting the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. However, in any of the semi-automatic modes (such as aperture priority, shutter priority, or program mode), exposure compensation will work just fine.
