Get the Right Exposure for your Photos

Do you always rely on your camera’s automatic setting for your pictures? The digital cameras of today are pretty good at getting it right if your subject is in the middle of the frame. So if you are doing this, you are probably getting consistent results. Still, you might be missing out on spectacular ones. Using different exposure levels gets different results.

What are Exposure Levels?

The exposure level is just the amount of light that gets into your camera when you take the picture. When there is excess light, the image is over-exposed and will have less contrast between the lighter and darker areas. If the picture ends up looking very dark, with much of it indistinguishable and in shadow, it is under-exposed.

Under-exposure of your subject often occurs if you use your camera’s auto mode when there is a lot of light on the subject. That’s why amateur photographers often ask people to pose looking into the sun so that it shines on their faces. They usually end up with unflattering pictures of their loved ones squinting at them. You can compensate for the backlight by using a flashgun aimed at the subject. Still, in these light conditions, the camera won’t always do this automatically.

What Controls the Amount of Light in the Camera

The two controls that affect the amount of light are the shutter speed and the size of the aperture that the shutter opens. The tiniest amount of light is exposed with the smallest aperture and the fastest shutter speed. The wider the aperture opening and the slower the speed, the more light is allowed onto the film, digital or not. So the resulting picture will be darker or lighter as a result. This technique is one of the aspects of photography that has not been changed by the evolution of digital.

The size of the aperture is measured in f/ numbers, or f stops. Unfortunately, you have to remember that the smaller the number, the larger the size of the opening. Some people find it confusing that f/2.8 is a much larger aperture than f/11. Others remember by thinking of it as a fraction, substituting the number one for the f. Thus, it makes sense that half, or even a third, is a much more significant fraction than an eleventh.

Shutter speed measurements are already noted in fractions of a second, so 1/2000 is a fast shutter speed and allows less light than what might look like a lower number. Just as with the aperture measurements, remembering them as fractions help to realize this.

Using Automatic or Manual Settings

In most circumstances, you can get good results with the camera in automatic mode. You just point and shoot. Sometimes that is all there is time for, so it’s a good idea to have the camera set to automatic when you are carrying it.

What the camera doesn’t compensate for are those times when you want to capture something that’s on the move, or a face off-center that’s in shadow with light behind it. Or you want a particular effect, perhaps with a sharp subject and a fuzzy background.

Some cameras give you the semi-automatic options of aperture or shutter speed priority shooting. This allows you to decide on either the aperture size you want or the speed of the shutter. The camera will automatically adjust the other setting to the conditions. While the aperture size also controls the depth of field and how much of the picture you want in focus, the shutter speed will control how much a moving object is blurred.

How to Override the Automatic Settings

Because all digital cameras can be different, it is essential to read the manual. There you can find out how to change the shutter speeds and aperture settings. To make your choices for both these readings, you need to find out how to set your camera to Manual and make the adjustments you want.

For example, if you want your subject to be sharp against an unfocused background, have your aperture wide open. If you also want to light your subject against backlight, don’t have the shutter speed too fast. To capture a fast-moving object going across in front of you, you’ll need the fastest possible shutter speed, but not so quickly for something heading towards you from the front.

If in Doubt, Underexpose

Remember that digital images can be edited. This task can be completed using editing software. You can buy programs that give you all sorts of options, while free software such as Picasa will crop and add fill light and various effects.

But you can’t do much with an over-exposed shot, so it’s best to err the other way if you are not sure of your result.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to get it right is to practice. This training is the real advantage of the digital age. You can keep on taking photographs for a fraction of the price you would pay if you were using film.

Take a series of shots of the same subject with different settings, making notes of them as you go. Afterward, see which turns out the best and make sure you learn from your experiences.

These days, it’s easier than ever before to take excellent photos. Why not see if you can move on from automatic and step up your results?

Suggested books:

Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
Mastering Digital Photography: Jason Youn’s Essential Guide to Understanding the Art & Science of Aperture, Shutter, Exposure, Light, & Composition

 

Read more about photography here Motivating Reluctant Learners with Digital Photography