CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

One of the MAJOR differences of photography now in the 2020s is the vast amount of free training content available online from sources like u-tube. Hours upon hours of information is available with just a simple google like: "video training photography xxx" where xxx is any relevant topic. Click through the results and keep your own personal list of the useful links, sites and authors for repeat visits and follow-up.

Marlboro Loc: New Jersey

Actually what you are all talking about is Ansel Adams invention of the Zone system.
Google how the zone system works and the theory of 18% grey will be explained.
This system works with reflected light meters as those in cameras. It does not apply to incident meters.
Incident meters measure the actual light with no internal compensation for 18% or middle grey.
This is why you would put a grey card into your scene and read from that eliminating reflectivity issues.
Just my two cents.

montephoto

I have now read two different replies urging the OP to study the book The Negative, by Ansel Adams and another shout out to "Google" the Zone System.

Please look at the title of this post (New to Photography) and reconsider your advice. I would never diminish the writings of Ansel Adams, but keep in mind that his writings are not for the beginner. I'm afraid a beginner would read his work and become entirely discouraged, thinking they will never understand this new hobby.
Keep the reading simple and work you way up to Ansel Adams books, as you gain a comprehensive background in photography. There are many people who have written about Adams' Zone System, and many with easier to understand explanations.
Enjoy your travels with photography. My hobby became my 40 year profession.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

you would want +1 or+1.5 etc. your camera is trying to compensate , attempting to reach 18%grey. Ifyou -1 the snow will be grey

Marlboro Loc: New Jersey

The zone system is not that hard to grasp. Yes you may have reread things a few times. But the zone system can be explained using the black to white zone chart. The concept of correcting the internal camera meter is very important. For a newbie or some not so newbies.
Exposure compensation is simply a way to add a plus or minus to your meter's exposure reading when you are in a s or p modes. In manual mode you would do that on the fly disregarding what your meter shows.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

EC is something you decide at the outset. It affects the level of exposure that your camera targets so once it's dialled in you just choose your settings as normal (and then try to not forget that it's dialled in ).

On an overcast day the camera will respond to the low light levels by choosing/suggesting settings that reflect the light conditions. If you used positive EC you would risk blowing the clouds. Even on a cloudy day the clouds can be relatively bright and therefore prone to being blown, especially if you use a camera that has a small sensor.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

I agree with your answer.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Here is a suggestion. When you have an opportunity to take photographs on snowy day, take your camera out and shoot an image at the metered reading, then make one at one step minus and then one at two steps minus, then do the same at one step plus and one at two steps plus. Do this in several locations, such as bright sun on the snow, the snow with shadows on it, etc. Then go inside and brew yourself some tea or coffee, put your SD card so it will read on your computer, and study your results. There is something else to consider. What may be the most correctly exposed image technically may not necessarily be the one that you like the best. That is something only you can decide for yourself. And here is another idea, if your camera has a snow setting in a scenes mode or if you have another camera, perhaps, a compact with that feature take a reading with that camera, then set the camera you are using at that setting and take some images and then take the images with your camera at the setting it chooses on its own. Then go in and compare the images you have made from each setting. You can have some fun and will have an opportunity to learn more about your camera.