CAMERA METERING EXPLAINED: Spot, Evaluative, Partial or Center?

Matrix metering? Evaluative metering? Center metering? Spot metering? It's enough to make your head spin.

After a ton of trial and error (and let's be real, a lot of mediocre shots), I've finally started to wrap my brain around how metering works -- and more importantly, how to use it to step up my photography game.

Stick with me, because understanding metering might just be the key to unlocking your camera's full potential.

#photoraphy #landscapephotography #metering

[mrrr]

Thanks..BEST explanation I've ever seen...not just for the sake of content but for actual explaination/teaching

[rickymundy]

I’ve seen many tutorials on this subject over the years. This is by far the best I’ve seen. Subscribed to your channel. Thank you for sharing

[eccod]

I use highlight weighted metering all the time. It’s perfect for stage performances where subjects move in and out of the super bright lights unpredictably.

[chasinglightandtrails]

Some good explanations and advice on a complicated topic. I like the idea of taking the camera’s advice with its metering and then take over and manually adjust to your liking or how you envisage the scene. Surely that’s the human creatively we really want. I have taken some shots of the Fall in Kananaskis in Alberta and I have been questioning the results. Time for me to take over and stop being lazy. Nice work, thank you.

[cranberrymoonchild]

For the people leaving comments, going into incredible detail about this subject and mentioning incident light etc and criticising the advice in this video, why on earth are you watching a channel called 'photography explained' if you already know it all?! This content is is not for you. It's for beginners and improvers. With a YouTube full of advanced photography videos, you can show off your knowledge and debate nuances on them.

[prynzx]

I always shoot in manual, so the end of your video was particularly interesting to me, because it forced me to realize that most people are not exposing their images manually. Looking at manual exposure as a short cut to optimal metering of a scene is an excellent bit of reverse psychology. I'm gonna try to use that in my lesson plan. Thanks!

[kalnorwich_playlist]

Mate, where have you been? I'm a photographer-ish, and have seen tens if videos about photography tricks. However, I believe that you are among my favourite channels and you are brilliant, well done!👍🙏

[garygoldsmith]

Excellent, as usual. Another point, though not about metering per se, is to shoot RAW. It can add flexibility to editing and bring out details that might be lost in the JPEG. Many of the comments here are a bit nitpicking (that's okay), but even for those who understand metering modes, it surely doesn't hurt to review it, since habits can form even with experienced photographers that might not be optimal for changing situations. Carry on!

[twopoolpeople]

Thank yo for your clear explaination! I've watched many videos on metering and they are so long and so extra detailed that by the time it is finished I really don't know much more than before!!

[CWTime]

Thank you very much for this Video. I didn't get what these 3 modes on my phone meant to be but with youre help I can use the pro mode for good situations 😊

[robari]

Dozens and Dozens of other YouTubers videos and NO ONE has explained this as clear and easy to understand (no shenanigans) as you. Thank you, you have a new member.

[Nobody_]

This video really easy to understand, thank you for your help now i fully understand the metering thing

[grahamrobison]

One of the best tutorials/explanations i’ve seen i while.
Nice voice to listen to lol ❤

[leogambo]

Great video, makes it all a lot easier to remember, I tend to shoot a lot in Spot but will start using matrix more

[alexplan]

This is the best tutorial I have ever seen! Very practical.

[spiritof]

There is the INCIDENT METER (such as that in a light meter that measures light which will fall on a subject, not light reflecting from the subject) and a REFLECTIVE METER (which only can measure light reflecting from a subject). Your camera has a Reflective Meter which is why professionals in studio and on sets still use Light Meters to accurately measure the light falling on the subject to plan the scene. Photographers elsewhere, not having a Light Meter (expensive stuff) use a Gray Card (18% 'Middle Gray', preferably neutral gray to correct for Colour Cast as well. Can use white card for latter.) to set the Metering and then the Custom White Balance. This works when you can have the card placed in front of the subject, like in a party/dinner etc. What about if you can't place the card in the scene, like a landscape shot? Then metering can be done with Evaluative Metering setting in the camera (explained in video) or if there are a lot of shadows and highlights by using spot metering to randomly select the spot you think best represents the mood you want to capture. (explained in video above).

[dancu]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!

[ComandanteJ]

TTL light metering has existed since the '60s. My fathers Minolta SRT has a rudimentary weighted metering system. And matrix metering was introduced in the '80s by Nikon. By the mid '90s, in-camera metering was really advanced.

[VST]

What better way there could be to explain the metering modes, especially for beginner's and amateurs. Keep up the good work.

[robertwaters]

Thank you for this to the point, simple explanation, and lively metering video. You earned a sub.