If you’re like most photographers, you’ve probably been mystified by camera metering modes at some point or another. Why do some photos come out too dark or too bright? What is the difference between spot metering and center-weighted metering? And what the heck is matrix metering, anyway?
Don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this article, we will demystify camera metering modes and help you understand how they work. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to take better control of your photography and create more accurate exposures every time!
Table of Contents
What Is Metering In Photography?
Simply put, metering is the process of measuring the amount of light that is present in a scene. Your camera’s built-in light meter does this automatically every time you take a photo. Based on the measurement, the camera then calculates an appropriate exposure — that is, the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings required to produce a well-exposed photo.
Common Issues With Metering
One of the most common issues that photographers face is underexposed photos. This is often due to the camera’s light meter being fooled by bright areas in the scene, such as a snow-covered landscape or a backlit subject. As a result, the camera will try to darken the photo to compensate, resulting in an overall underexposed image.
Overexposed photos are also fairly common. This usually happens when there are very dark areas in the frame, such as a shadowy forest or a person wearing all black clothing. In these cases, the camera’s light meter gets confused and overexposes the photo in an attempt to brighten it up.
Of course, these are just generalizations — every photo is different, and there are a variety of factors that can affect the camera’s light meter. This is where understanding metering modes comes in handy!
What Are Metering Modes?
Metering modes are simply different ways that your camera’s light meter can measure the amount of light in a scene. By changing the metering mode, you can tell the camera to give more weight to certain areas of the frame. This, in turn, will influence the exposure calculation and help you achieve better results.
Most DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer three metering modes: spot metering, center-weighted metering, and matrix/evaluative metering. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Metering Modes On Your Camera
There are several types of metering modes, which we cover below.
Matrix or Evaluative Metering
This is the most common metering mode and is usually the default setting on most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. In evaluative metering, also known as matrix metering or multi-zone metering, the camera’s light meter will take a reading from several different areas of the frame.
It then uses an algorithm to calculate an exposure that it deems to be “correct” based on a variety of factors, such as contrast, brightness, and subject matter.
For example, if you are taking a photo of a person against a bright sky, the camera will try to expose for both the subject and the background. This often results in an underexposed photo because the camera is trying to do too much.
In general, evaluative metering does a pretty good job of calculating an exposure. However, it is not without its flaws. As we mentioned before, the camera’s light meter can be fooled by bright or dark areas in the frame, resulting in an incorrect exposure.
Center-Weighted Metering
Center-weighted metering is a simpler form of metering that gives more weight to the center of the frame. As its name suggests, the camera will place more emphasis on the area in the center of the frame and less on the edges.
This can be helpful in situations where your subject is off to one side but you still want them to be well-exposed.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
By using center-weighted metering, you can tell the camera to give more weight to the subject and less to the background, resulting in a better-exposed photo.
Spot Metering
Spot metering is the most precise form of metering. As its name suggests, spot metering takes a light reading from a small, specific area of the frame — usually just a few square millimeters.
This can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
By using spot metering, you can take a light reading from just the subject and ensure that they are properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
Spot Metering with Exposure Compensation
Spot metering with exposure compensation is a more advanced form of spot metering. As its name suggests, it allows you to take a light reading from a small, specific area of the frame and then adjust the exposure up or down based on that reading.
This can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
Partial Metering
Partial metering is similar to center-weighted metering in that it places more emphasis on the area in the center of the frame. However, it uses a smaller area — usually about 12% of the frame — which makes it more precise than center-weighted metering.
This can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
By using partial metering, you can take a light reading from just the subject and ensure that they are properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
Highlight-Weighted Metering
Highlight-weighted metering is a new form of metering that was introduced with the Canon EOS R. It places more emphasis on the highlights in the frame and less on the shadows.
This can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
By using highlight-weighted metering, you can take a light reading from just the highlights and ensure that they are properly exposed, even if the shadows are very dark or very bright.
Shadow-Weighted Metering
Shadow-weighted metering is a new form of metering that was introduced with the Canon EOS R. It places more emphasis on the shadows in the frame and less on the highlights.
This can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
By using shadow-weighted metering, you can take a light reading from just the shadows and ensure that they are properly exposed, even if the highlights are very dark or very bright.
Entire Screen Average Metering
Entire screen average metering takes a light reading from the entire frame and then averages out the exposure. This is the most basic form of metering and is often used in auto mode.
It can be helpful when you want to make sure that your subject is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
It can also be useful for backlit subjects or when taking photos against a bright sky. In these cases, using evaluative metering often results in an underexposed photo because the camera tries to expose for both the subject and background equally.
What Is The Best Metering Mode?
There is no one “best” metering mode. The best metering mode to use depends on the situation and the subject.
For example, if you are taking a photo of a person against a bright sky, you would want to use partial metering or highlight-weighted metering to make sure that the person is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
If you are taking a photo of a person against a dark background, you would want to use partial metering or shadow-weighted metering to make sure that the person is properly exposed, even if the rest of the frame is very dark or very bright.
The best way to learn which metering mode to use is to experiment with all of them and see which one works best for the situation.
Should I Use A Metering Mode On My Camera?
Yes, you should definitely use a metering mode on your camera. Metering is an important part of photography and can help you to get the perfect exposure for your photos.
The best way to learn which metering mode to use is to experiment with all of them and see which one works best for the situation.
How To Change Your Camera’s Metering Mode
Changing your camera’s metering mode is usually pretty easy. Most cameras have a button on the top of the camera that you can press to cycle through the different metering modes.
Alternatively, you can usually change the metering mode in the menu system on your camera. Consult your camera’s manual for more information on how to change the metering mode.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding metering modes is an important part of photography. Experiment with all of the different metering modes on your camera to see which one works best for you.
