Most newer digital cameras have a built-in light meter that will take a measurement of the ambient light in a scene and automatically adjust the shutter speed and exposure settings of the camera. For regular point-and-shoot photography, this usually is enough to obtain good-looking photos. However, if you want to produce professional shots, you'll need a more accurate way to measure light and to make exposure and shutting adjustments manually to your camera. Whereas built-in light metering takes into account the average of all the light in a frame, using a light meter will allow you to accurately measure light and then adjust the settings for a specific subject in the frame. Follow these simple steps to get the most out of your light meter.
Instructions
1. Set your light meter to produce an incident reading. This is usually accomplished by sliding the white plastic diffuser over the light metering cell. Refer to your light meter's operations manual for directions specific to your model. An incident reading will tell you how much light is reaching a subject. This is in contrast to the typical reflective reading a digital camera's meter might take, which measures the light bouncing off of a subject. An incident reading will give you a more accurate idea of the ambient light around a particular subject or area of your shot's frame.
2. Adjust the setting on your meter to match the settings of your camera. Most meters will only require your film speed. Film speed is the measure of a film's sensitivity to light. Of course, in modern digital cameras there's no need for film. Digital cameras, however, still have adjustable settings for "film speed." Consult your camera's operations manual for information on setting your camera's film speed and then use this speed when calibrating your light meter.
3. Place your light meter in front of the subject you wish to shoot. Face the light sensor on the meter away from the subject and toward the direction you will be shooting from.
4. Press the button on your light meter to take a reading of the ambient light. The meter will now give you information on what exposure settings to use with your camera for optimal pictures, given the lighting conditions.
5. Adjust the settings on your camera and take a few test shots. If the pictures aren't turning out to your liking, adjust the settings further to suit your taste.
Tags: light meter, your camera, your light, your light meter, film speed, incident reading