Proper metering allows a photographer to capture gorgeous landscapes without harsh white areas or dark shadows.
Learning to work with ambient light is a critical element of mastering photography. When shooting portraits, ambient light can add depth and contrast to all photos. When shooting landscapes or commercial photography, ambient light often is the only available option---unless the photographer has enough flashes to light up a mountain. Fortunately, the advanced metering system available on the Canon 40D gives the user loads of tools to master the use of ambient lighting.
Instructions
1. Identify your subject and your framing. Shooting a forest sunset will use different lighting than a portrait session. Ambient light for landscapes and outdoor photography will be best during sunrise and sunset, the richer colors and defused lighting will add depth to the photos. Outdoor shooting during the middle of the day leaves the photographer grappling with overly bright areas in some parts of the photo and dark shadows in others. If shooting indoors, find a window with incoming light and use a thin drape or curtain to diffuse it to soften the light on your subject.
2. Understand the 40D's three light metering modes.
Evaluative metering, represented as "[(o)]," is used to measure light in an area limited to the selected focal point. This is the most commonly used metering system.
Partial metering, represented as "[( )]," measures light more broadly than evaluative metering. It is useful if there are contrasting areas of light and shadow.
Center-weighted metering, represented as "[ ]," measures light at the center of the frame. Center-weighted metering is useful if the subject is centered and filling most of the frame.
3. Set the metering mode on the 40D to match your subject. To set the metering mode, locate the four buttons along the top-left of the camera. Press the button second from the left; the far left button will illuminate the top control panel. Using the dial near the shutter release, adjust the metering mode until it reaches the desired setting.
Tags: metering mode, metering represented, your subject, Center-weighted metering, dark shadows, measures light, metering represented measures
