Light Metering Modes Practice Photography Assignment

Metering Modes

This assignment teaches photographers how to effectively use different metering modes to achieve accurate exposure in varying lighting conditions. By practicing specific tasks, students will learn to select the appropriate metering mode based on the scene and how to manipulate exposure for optimal results.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the differences between Matrix, Centre-weighted, and Spot metering modes.
  • Learn to adjust exposure compensation based on scene brightness.
  • Utilize histograms and highlight warnings to verify exposure accuracy.

Want feedback on your assignment?

Join Foundation Plus and get personalised monthly critique plus full access to all assignments.

Learn More & Join

Before You Shoot

  • Familiarize yourself with your camera's metering mode settings.
  • Set your camera to Aperture Priority mode with ISO 200 fixed.
  • Choose a location with varying light conditions (e.g., shadows and bright areas).
  • Make sure your battery is charged and memory card is empty.
  • Have a notebook or digital device to record your settings and observations.

The Assignment

Technical Focus

  • Use Matrix metering for general scenes to start.
  • Switch to Centre-weighted metering for portrait photography.
  • Implement Spot metering when photographing subjects with high contrast backgrounds.
  • Adjust exposure compensation to +1 to +2 EV for bright scenes.
  • Use the histogram to check for highlight clipping after taking a shot.

Creative Focus

  • Experiment with different metering modes to see how they affect the final image.
  • Use Centre-weighted metering to create balanced portraits that highlight the subject.
  • Incorporate Spot metering to draw attention to specific details in high-contrast scenes.
  • Try shooting in a variety of lighting conditions to challenge your metering skills.
  • Vary your exposure compensation to explore creative effects in your images.

Assignment Tasks

  1. Using Aperture Priority mode at f/4 with ISO 200 fixed, photograph a bright outdoor scene and use Matrix metering to capture a well-exposed image.
  2. Switch to Centre-weighted metering and take a portrait shot in natural light, ensuring the subject is correctly exposed while the background is slightly darker.
  3. Find a scene with harsh lighting contrasts, such as backlit subjects, and use Spot metering to focus on the subject's face, adjusting the exposure as necessary.
  4. Photograph a snowy landscape using Aperture Priority mode at f/8 with ISO 200 fixed, applying +1 to +2 EV exposure compensation to avoid underexposure.
  5. Set your camera to Shutter Priority mode at 1/250s with ISO 200 fixed, and use Spot metering to capture a subject in motion against a bright background, ensuring correct exposure.
  6. Use Aperture Priority mode at f/2.8 with ISO 200 fixed, photograph a scene at dusk using Centre-weighted metering, and then check the histogram for highlight warnings.

💡 Stretch Tasks

  • Shoot a series of images using all three metering modes in various lighting conditions, comparing the results to see which mode performs best for each situation.
  • Create a portfolio of images that showcase the impact of exposure compensation adjustments on your photographs.

DO / DON'T

DO

  • ✓ Do practice switching between metering modes based on the scene.
  • ✓ Do use exposure compensation to correct for tricky lighting conditions.
  • ✓ Do verify your exposure using the histogram after each shot.
  • ✓ Do take notes on how different metering modes affect your images.
  • ✓ Do experiment with both Aperture and Shutter Priority modes to see their effects on exposure.

DON'T

  • ✗ Don't rely solely on Matrix metering for all scenes without considering the subject.
  • ✗ Don't ignore the importance of exposure compensation in high contrast situations.
  • ✗ Don't forget to check your histogram for clipping after taking a shot.
  • ✗ Don't switch to Manual mode unless you are fully confident in your exposure settings.
  • ✗ Don't assume the camera's metering will always provide the correct exposure without adjustments.

Reflection Questions

  • How does the choice of metering mode influence the mood of your photographs?
  • What challenges did you face when using Spot metering, and how did you overcome them?
  • In what situations did you find Centre-weighted metering most effective, and why?
  • How can you apply your understanding of metering modes to improve your future photography?

📚 Related Reading

Before you start, read these related blog posts to deepen your understanding:

For Foundation Plus members: Submit 3 images from this assignment for personalised feedback in your next Zoom session. You should upload to the shared Dropbox folder - link provided by Alan when you joined Foundation Plus.

Alan RangerTechnical Foundations