Metering with the camera
Mirror Reflect Cameras measure the light through the lens. With most SLR camera's can be set how the light is measured, using the following methods are the most commonly used are:
• Integrated measurement
• Spot
• Semi-Spot
• Matrix
At Integral measurement, the entire image associated with the metering. This method is particularly useful when the image is not a large bright or dark area contains. For example, a bright sky or snow landscape, this method is not usable.
By spot measurement, the light is measured on the basis of a small center point of the image. The sizes of the spot vary by camera. Canon test typically 9% of the image, Nikon 5%. Spot metering is often used in backlit conditions or when a large image light or dark faces. In this case, the light is measured at a neutral point.
Semi-spot metering measures light from a small area in the center of the photo.
Measurement Matrix at Finally, the image is divided into areas, wherein each plane is measured separately. The exposure is calculated according to an algorithm on the basis of the individual measurements.
Metering with a separate light meter
as said before a loose light meter measuring the incident light. Typically, this method is more reliable than the measurement by reflected light. With the advent of digital photography is a separate light meter become less popular. The result is a digital camera made directly visible so if the exposure does not appear to have a second or third picture made so. If necessary the subsequent exposure with the aid of software to be corrected.
Gray Card
In the measurement of reflected light is measured the amount of light that is reflected from the subject, which is dependent on the reflection value of the subject. Light measurement is to be corrected on the basis of this reflection value. The reference is a reflection of 18% with a shade of gray between black and white. For this purpose use can be made of a gray card. Metering the correct exposure can be obtained by measuring the gray card, instead of on the subject.
The gray card should be taken towards the camera. With the camera set to spot metering, the light can only be measured on the gray card. Be sure to move that no shadow falls on the map and if you are using studio lights, the gray card slightly towards the light source is kept. As a separate light meter a gray card is less suited to backlighting.
The light that with the aid of a separate meter or a light gray card is measured can be set in the manual exposure position of the camera or by the AE-lock on the camera to be held.
In addition to the gray card is also in the photography use is made of a wetware. The witkaart is not used as a tool for metering but serves as a tool for white balance. A gray card can be used as a tool to help means for metering and white balance. Here in this article is not touched.