A must-see for beginners of photography. Detailed explanation of camera metering mode.

There are four measurement modes: evaluation measurement, point measurement, partial measurement and central key average measurement.

Photometric mode means that the camera measures the light around the shooting picture, and then automatically sets the exposure according to the measured light brightness, so as to shoot a photo with appropriate brightness.

The brightness of photos is different in different metering modes.

Evaluation photometry

This is the most commonly used measurement mode. It divides the picture into several areas, and each area carries out independent metering, and then calculates the average metering value of the whole picture in turn.

Suitable for shooting purposes: landscape photography, sunny environment and so on.

3. Partial measurement

When the contrast between the subject and the background is strong and the proportion of the subject in the picture is not large,

This measurement mode is the most suitable.

Suitable for shooting purposes: portrait close-up

Fixed point photometry

As the name implies, it is to measure a point, which is different from the "point" we often say.

Generally, it refers to the area of 1%-5% of the viewing range, which is usually in the same position as the focus.

Suitable for shooting purposes: it can be used to measure light in scenes such as backlight intensity and other people's face height.

5. Center key average metering

The photometric area accounts for about 20%-30% of the framing picture, which is mainly measured according to the brightness of the central area of the picture.

Light, other areas of the picture are given average metering.

Suitable for shooting purposes: in the field of documentary works and portraits, it mainly focuses on central composition.

6.4 Comparison of measurement modes

Evaluation photometry/partial photometry

The camera measures the light in all areas of the picture, and you will find that the exposure of the picture is basically normal, but the highlights of Yida bottle are overexposed.

Central key average

Although the highlight of Yida bottle is still overexposed, there are more details in the picture than evaluation metering.

Spot photometry

If you choose to measure the highlight area of Yida bottle, you can see that the white bottle will be exposed normally, while other parts of the picture are underexposed.

Spot photometry

If you choose to measure the blue part of Yida bottle, you can see that all other parts are overexposed except the blue area, so when using the spot metering mode, you must choose the metering position according to the intention expressed in the shooting picture.

7. photometric summary

Partial photometry: The subject has a strong contrast between light and dark in the background, and the subject accounts for a small proportion of the picture, which is often used for portrait close-ups.

Spot photometry

Spot metering refers to metering a point, which is usually the center of the whole picture.

Used to measure the height of face and other scenes under strong backlight.

Central key average photometry

Focus on the central area and then average it to the whole, which is often used in scenes with uniform light.

Evaluation photometry

Photometric measurement of the whole picture is often used for portraits, documentaries, etc.