russebarre9

I just got a new canon t1i with spot metering my old xti did't have it. I know my way around the camera pretty well as I've taking pretty good pics for sometime. I'm new to spot metering and not sure how to really use it. Could you folks give me some pointers on using spot metering and different time you need to use it?

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Spot metering in the real world involves a Spot Meter, which is an optical device usually with a one degree reading area.

In a stills camera, spot metering first implies the photographer knows about reflected light readings, contrast ratios, and how to place exposure given all meters are based on 18% grey.

Generally, spot metering involves the reading of highlights, midtones, shadows in both the subject and the background, and then placing the exposure for best overall image OR best stylized image.

A powerful tool is to further combine spot with incident readings. This was the great trick of the Spectra Combi 2 meter back in the film days.

When placing the image on the exposure scale in digital, you have to watch the highlights, which can blow off into pure white, no detail easily. Film (some) had 5-6 stops of overexposure tolerance. You could expose for the shadows and print for the highlights. Similar things are available in digital, like HDR.

In a stills camera, spot metering would be unwieldy, but understand if you use the spot metered exposure of a white egret in sunlight (metering the white feathers) you should end up in fabulous underexposure.

Instead, meter things close by, like the grass, which is fabulously in the ballpark of 18% grey. This, of course, depends on the incident angle of the sun....

Now THERE is a convoluted reply. I have two spot meters within 12 feet of this keyboard. One, older than the era of the personal computer.

Designerfin Loc: Utah, USA

The spot metering in the T1i reads the light level in a small circle in the center of the frame. I think it is 3% of the picture area, not certain. The camera will choose the proper exposure for that small area, regardless of how bright or dark the rest of the image is.

alann Loc: Virginia

True. However if you spot meter something that is not close to 18% grey your photo will not be exposed properly. You can't just point at an area and expect correct metering. :)

outsider Loc: Antelope Valley, California

Spot metering in manual mode might be a little tricky if not using a tripod. I usually use it in AV or TV, when I do use it. I use it for strong front or back-light subjects. Below are a couple of examples of spot-metering. In the top exposure I metered off the center of the flowers. As you can see the top of the stem is correctly exposed but behind the flower is underexposed. Say, just say, I didn't care about the flower and I only wanted the shadow area of the rock behind it correctly exposed. If you were in Partial or Evaluative metering it probably wouldn't expose it correctly. You need to tell the camera EXACTLY what you want correctly exposed. So, I lifted the angle of the camera and metered off the rock and got a correct exposure for it. Same thing for the flower. But, you'll also notice I didn't meter off anything too dark or too light. Your camera sees in shades of gray. If you meter off something too dark you'll overexpose the shot. Same thing with white or something bright, it'll be underexposed. Picture the scene in black n white and get your reading off something medium gray. That's what they're talking about 18% gray. The good thing about digital is you can practice all you want and it costs nothing. In the days of film you could waste a lot of money mastering your camera. Anyway, I hope this helps.

PS, You might want to use the exposure lock button while using spot metering if you recompose the shot.

Took reading off top of stem where it starts spreading off


took reading off shadow area of the rock

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

I use spot metering when I take pictures of the moon. Otherwise, I just end up with a big blob of light

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

I found the tutorial attached to be quite helpful.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-metering.htm

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

Like so many other capabilities of a camera spot metering could have many different uses. I will point out two of them that are important to me.

1. A bird in flight. You will be shooting a burst. Since it is impossible to have the camera always perfectly centered no the bird, those that miss will be blurred, suitable to be tossed. Those that hit, however, will be tack sharp. If you metered generally for the entire frame, there may be so much difference in the sky and the bird that the bird is not properly focused.

2. Zoo animal behind a wire fence. If the animal is not close to the fence a combination of spot metering and depth of field will eliminate the wire fence from the picture, often totally.

3. Animal in an underbrush. The problem here is to focus the animal, not its surroundings. Spot metering gives you the best chance to do this.

I also recommend spot metering be used with spot focus.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Does spot metering also define the focus point?

thanks

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

It can. Set the AF point the same as the AE point. Or not.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This is a subject that is one I work with - EVERY - time I PP a photo - which is with almost 99% of my photos - I check the contrast by adding 18% - most usually it puts a snap to my photos.
Harvey


True. However if you spot meter something that is not close to 18% grey your photo will not be exposed properly. You can't just point at an area and expect correct metering.

lhdiver Loc: Midwest

I use it a lot when the subject is in brighter or darker light than the general area. Works well in darkened theater or reception hall where you are not using flash. As someone else pointed out, you may have to compensate if the subject is very light or dark but not as much as when metering the entire frame. Just remember to set it back to your normal metering when you finish! If you don't you will wonder why your exposer is going crazy.

Jazzed Loc: SF Bay Area

in a pinch you can spot meter the palm of your hand, which will need to stop down one for 18% grey. Lawns or a leaf will reflect 18% grey.

outsider Loc: Antelope Valley, California

No

Clicker2014 Loc: Canada

Great info! thanks!