Knowing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are important, of course, but here's another fundamental setting that will improve your work.
Coming to you from Danielle Carstens of C4 Photo Safaris, this informative video dives into the nuances of exposure compensation. Exposure compensation helps you adjust your camera's exposure to better capture your subject when using semi-automatic or automatic modes, ensuring it's not too dark or too bright.
Carstens emphasizes that understanding exposure compensation requires a grasp of light metering. Your camera aims for an average exposure, often resulting in images that don't capture the subject as intended. For instance, in scenes with a lot of sky, your subject might appear too dark. Conversely, in darker environments, lighter subjects may become overly bright. By using exposure compensation, you can override the camera's automatic settings to achieve the desired exposure for your subject.
Carstens breaks down how to use exposure compensation across different camera modes. In aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual mode with auto ISO, the camera adjusts settings to maintain a balanced exposure. The magic happens when you override the camera's chosen exposure using exposure compensation. This allows you to favor your subject, whether it's a dark elephant against a bright sky or a white egret against a shaded background.
Exposure compensation is particularly useful in two scenarios. First, when there's high contrast between your subject and its surroundings. The camera may struggle to get the exposure right, and you can step in to make adjustments. Second, in extreme lighting conditions, such as very bright or very dark environments, the camera might overcompensate, resulting in poorly exposed photos. By using exposure compensation, you can ensure your subject is well-lit and detailed.
Carstens also touches on the practical aspects of finding and using exposure compensation on your camera. It's usually indicated by a symbol and can be accessed via a dedicated button or menu setting. Knowing where to find this feature on your camera is essential for making quick adjustments in the field. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
