Mastering Exposure

A comment recently on Social Media about the camera measuring the light correctly lead me to write a little about how it actually works. And what doesn’t rely solely on the camera but on the photographer.

Mastering Exposure: The Artistic Use of Light in Photography

Exposure is one of the fundamental controls in photography, determining how light or dark an image will appear. While modern cameras are equipped with sophisticated metering systems to measure exposure, they can’t fully grasp the artistic nuances of light. As photographers, it’s up to us to harness light creatively to tell our stories.

A picture shot almost against the source of light. The light comes strongly from the right and to some degree against the camera position. The camera isn’t capable of measuring the light in this situation without bringing the exposure too much down. Because there are large highlight areas dominating the picture the camera will try to expose it and stop it down towards natural grey The photo is manually exposed and therefore its possible to focus on the correct metering on the girl, keeping the white areas white without burning out.

Understanding Exposure

Exposure is the amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor, and it is controlled by three main settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These elements form the exposure triangle, and balancing them is key to achieving the desired exposure.

• Aperture: This is the size of the lens opening through which light enters. A wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light in and creates a shallow depth of field, while a narrower aperture (higher f-number) lets in less light and increases depth of field.
• Shutter Speed: This is the duration for which the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. A faster shutter speed freezes motion, while a slower shutter speed can create motion blur.
• ISO: This is the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light. A higher ISO allows for shooting in low light but can introduce noise, while a lower ISO produces cleaner images but requires more light.

The Artistic Aspect of Light

While technical mastery of exposure is essential, the artistic use of light is what truly elevates a photograph.

Using the available light is the key to creatively bring out the best of a scene. It’s not just about having the full picture lit evenly with no deep blacks and no overexposed areas. I actually often let the highlight burn out because I am more interested in the artistic expression rather than a maybe technical good picture that ends up being boring. Having larger areas toned down in black leaving only  smaller areas exposed for the light can be a dramatic and beautiful way of creating a photo.

The photo is shot up against the light and have areas clearly over exposed. It adds a mood and feeling you can accept or decline.
Including the white hair blown out on the woman in the chair the expression is something that may appeal to you or end up not working at all. That’s how it ended up. A quick decision on a market place. Personally I don’t care about the areas overexposed. The overall expression is more important.

When you take a photo, your camera measures the light in the scene to determine the correct exposure. This process is known as metering. The camera’s light meter evaluates the brightness of the scene and suggests settings for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve a balanced exposure. There are several metering modes that cameras use to measure light, each with its own approach:

1. Evaluative/Matrix Metering

This is the most commonly used metering mode. But one I rarely use. The camera divides the scene into multiple zones and measures the light in each zone. It then calculates the best exposure based on the overall brightness and contrast of the scene. This mode is ideal for most general photography situations because it provides a balanced exposure.

2. Center-Weighted Metering

My preferred setting for measuring the light is Center-Weighted metering.

In this mode, the camera measures light across the entire frame but gives more importance to the center area. This is useful when your subject is in the center of the frame, and you want to ensure it is properly exposed, even if the background is much brighter or darker.

I let the camera show me this, and adjust manually for full control.

3. Spot Metering

Spot metering measures light in a very small area of the frame, typically around 1-5% of the viewfinder. This mode is useful for high-contrast scenes where you need to ensure a specific part of the image is correctly exposed, such as a person’s face in a portrait. But I newer use this method. Its quicker to take a test shot and manually set the correct exposure.

The dark areas will force the camera to brighten up the image, but then the face would be too white. Therefore I manually brought the exposure down focusing on correct light on the face, and letting the darker areas being toned down.

Here are some ways to creatively use light in your photography:

1. Natural Light

Natural light is one of the most versatile and beautiful sources of illumination. The quality of natural light changes throughout the day, offering different moods and atmospheres:

• Golden Hour: The hour after sunrise and before sunset, known as the golden hour, provides soft, warm light that is perfect for portraits and landscapes.
• Blue Hour: The period just before sunrise and after sunset, known as the blue hour, offers a cool, tranquil light that can add a dreamy quality to your images.
• Midday Light: While often harsh, midday light can be used creatively for high-contrast images and dramatic shadows.

2. Artificial Light

Artificial light sources, such as studio lights, lamps, and even streetlights, offer control and consistency. Experimenting with different types of artificial light can lead to unique and striking images:

• Soft Light: Achieved using diffusers or softboxes, soft light reduces harsh shadows and creates a gentle, flattering effect.
• Hard Light: Direct, undiffused light creates strong shadows and highlights, adding drama and intensity to your photos.
• Colored Light: Using gels or colored lights can introduce vibrant hues and set a specific mood or atmosphere.

3. Light Direction and Quality

The direction and quality of light play a crucial role in shaping your subject and setting the mood:

• Front Lighting: Illuminates the subject evenly, reducing shadows and highlighting details.
• Side Lighting: Creates depth and dimension by casting shadows on one side of the subject.
• Backlighting: Produces a silhouette effect or a halo around the subject, adding a sense of mystery or ethereal quality.
• Diffused Light: Softens shadows and reduces contrast, ideal for a more natural and gentle look.
• Direct Light: Enhances textures and details, often used for dramatic and high-contrast images.

Conclusion

Managing exposure is a blend of technical skill and artistic vision. While your camera can measure exposure, it’s your creative use of light that will make your photographs stand out. By understanding and experimenting with different lighting conditions, you can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.