Isn't Exposure Compensation just a redundant feature: I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that...

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

not from my experience. the camera is trying to set things to 17% gray.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Exposure compensation allows for adjustment without having to go to manual mode. When I shoot pictures of the moon with my 150-600 zoom and the meter in spot mode and aperture priority, I'll use exposure compensation to underexpose ½-1½ stops to cut down the highlights. If you haven't checked out Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure", I highly recommend it. He doesn't specifically cover exposure compensation but, it will give you a good understanding of how ISO, shutter speed, & aperture work together.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

rarely shoot snow without using it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

Exposure compensation is different than just changing aperture etc. unless you are in manual. In the auto modes change aperture and the camera will adjust another parameter to maintain the 18% gray average that it is programmed to do.
So play around with it and have fun seeing how it helps. I personally go to manual metering when I do want to bracket but there are many who do not and I also from a little experience realize there are some shots that need a bit under or over and the camera in auto lets me do that.

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

Your exposure compensation is used to adjust the metering the camera displays for adjustable modes, and uses to compute settings in auto modes.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

Try experimenting. Can you find a white room somewhere, black curtains are optional. Find or place an object against the wall, photograph it, then alter the exposure compensation +/- 1 then 2 stops, taking the same shot for each. Then reset the compemsation to zero, take as many more shots as you wish changing any other setting you desire and check the results. You should then have the answer to your question.

Good luck

lovitlots Loc: Tottenham, Ontario, Canada

Exposure compensation is used to set the camera up when you shooting in extreme light situation such as the lighting setup or the scene itself. If you have strong backlight you most likely have to over expose to get your subject properly exposed, unless you're looking for a silhouette. If your scene is mostly light like a snow scape or dark to black like a sunset you may have to over expose for the snow or underexpose for the sunset. This is because the light meter can only see in black & white and tries to set the exposure to get 18% grey. Snow is white so you have to overexpose to get that and the sunset you have to under expose. So if your shooting in one of the auto modes the compensation will correct what the camera wants to do automatically. That's why it's there and it works quite well.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

You are not really wrong, but your vision has not yet developed a great deal of depth or width.

What you described is perfect, for Manual Exposure mode with Auto ISO turned off. A great example, that few folks seem to catch on to, of when that works would be shooting a basketball or volleyball game. The lighting does not change from shot to shot, so there is no need to have any kind of automatic adjustment enabled. At the start of the game, determine the correct exposure, set aperture, shutter speed and ISO and then forget about it until halftime!

All the world does not happen on an evenly lit gymnasium floor! If you are walking down the street and may take a in shot bright sunshine one instant and then in the shadows of an alley the next... auto something is useful. Take your pick, auto aperture, shutter, or ISO... or all three. Now Exposure Compensation is essential!

Once anything in the Exposure Triangle is set automatically, the only way to manipulate it to the bias you choose is by setting EC up or down.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

I use it a lot when shooting in one if the "automated modes" (aperture or shutter priority).
Much quicker to turn a knob a fraction and never have to take your eye away from the viewfinder.

LiamRowan Loc: Michigan

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

I can't live without it shooting most birds in flight. The light is different in every part of the sky and the birds show up unexpectedly, so I use aperture priority for auto-metering exposure and the ISO set as low as I can. But the sky is always MUCH brighter than the birds, so the exposure compensation is used to prevent the birds from under-exposing.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You're right, in manual mode exposure compensation is not available. It is only available in shutter or aperture priority where it does come in handy.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

SteveR wrote:

You're right, in manual mode exposure compensation is not available. It is only available in shutter or aperture priority where it does come in handy.

:?: :?:

BebuLamar

bkellyusa wrote:

I am still pretty new to photography at this level but I work very hard at it and study all the time. However, the one thing that still confuses me is Exposure Compensation. I just don't see the need for it. Why would I use Exposure Compensation to adjust exposure when I can simply adjust any parameter such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO as much as I want to anyway.

Please tell me where I am going wrong.

Great! If you don't think it's needed don't use it. I never use it. I do know a great number of people who use it as the primary mean of adjusting exposure. If you don't feel the need don't feel that you're missing something.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

dirtpusher wrote:

rarely shoot snow without using it.

Why wouldn't you just expose for the snow to begin with? That's what kills me about this feature. it doesn't do anything that you wouldn't already have adjust in manual to begin with.