CAMERA METERING: Spot, Evaluative, Partial or Center-Weighted? Which one to use?

[@Mourningstxr]

not even kidding, 2 hours straight of watching your videos and i’ve learned more than i have in the past 6 months of scouring youtube. you’re phenomenal

[@stretch90]

His videos are such a good watch. For some reason I end up watching certain videos again even though I know the subject he's teaching lol.

[@manlikejojol197]

Same

[@lievinlengaworship]

fact

[@barki_8662]

Sameeee 😂😂

[@Jae_MaV]

Fact

[@MrWorstNews]

I'm consuming as much photography/videography content as I can and leaving as many comments, likes, etc I can. I've watched quite a few of your videos, buddy. Thanks a bunch! I want you to know this has been a dream of mine for a long time and I credit you and a few other with aiding me in honing my skills.

[@iitsAgui]

I can't believe your videos are free. Thanks for the good work you do.

[@technetrium]

they are free in hopes you click and buy products as well nothing is free. haha

[@64buffer]

Wow, hands down the best explanation I’ve seen of this. The side by sides of the black printer and the white door really tell the story. I’ve never quite understood this before. Thanks Simon!

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@lievinlengaworship]

yes indeed

[@stavrosk.2868]

Making complicated things simple without dumbing down. You really master your craft. I'm speaking here as a language teacher in Brussels and that's what I'm always trying to achieve. Chapeau!

[@simon_dentremont]

Merci!

[@RMCProductions]

A tip that works for a lot of nature photographers who have software and do post-processing is to intentionally underexpose any photo by 0.3-1 stops, or just turn it down to get rid off all zebras. Modern processing softwares will always let you selectively pull up just the subject from the dark while leaving the background untouched. That has helped me get so many great shot where a sky or some nature in the background gave the photo the needed vibe.

[@chloe.j.f7882]

Thank you

[@omarBphotography]

That's brilliant. Saves time on the edit big time. I've done the same on some shots to change the ambience. Lightroom has come a long way!

[@thomasphillips5850]

I just wanted to add. I have been shooting for60+ years and there is always something gained by watching Thanks again for some very useful videos.

[@joellema9846]

You sir are teaching a photography masterclass… I always learn so much from your videos!

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thanks!

[@hmkwong5833]

After years of struggling to understand metering modes in a camera and watching KZbin videos on the subject, this video is by far the best explanation I have come across. I especially love the examples you give. You're the best. Thank-you!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joerasmussen4029]

Nice discussion. Evaluative 95% of the time for me. In when in doubt, that is what you will use because you want to preserve your highlights most of the time. With strong backlighting, use post. In difficult situation, take a look at the histogram. The great thing about photography is that you can then rebalance the photo in post because you know the histogram tells you that you have everything you need.

[@benejpocock]

I'm forty-four years old today, have been taking pictures for at least 34 of those, and think I've just learnt more about metering in the last nine minutes and thirty two seconds than I have in the preceding 34 years! Great video as always Simon!

[@simon_dentremont]

Fantastic!

[@dennisharris144]

I enjoy every one of your videos, even though I end up with so much homework. I am 100% sure that you and a few other YTers have helped me increase my skills to slightly better than novice 😆 Seriously I appreciate all the help

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@randyschwager2515]

You’ve demonstrated once again why you are rhetorical best photography trainer on KZbin! Thanks for taking me along!

[@salehinafnan]

The way he teaches these stuff. Just perfect ❤

[@itsmruniverse]

Where has this video been my whole life. I finally understand what these metering modes do to my images

[@seven-f6f]

Best teacher I've ever seen, Please sir smile sometimes. Never seen your smile yet, I literally watched all of your videos. ❤❤❤❤😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@simon_dentremont]

Haha I’m concentrating too hard!

[@ovidiuc4]

Because preserving the highlights is the most important to me, and I hate changing settings all the time, I always use spot mettering and I meeter the brightest point in the scene to be close to the far right of the scale, almost overexposed. It's an easy way of keeping the highlights without worrying about where the medium grey is.

[@eddiekid007]

A no-nonsense, straight to the point, yet detailed and informative video ! Thank you for your time and effort !

[@GordonFRegan]

Thanks that was the best explanation of metering mode I have seen.

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@youritguy1]

Finally, someone explains what the metering function is on a camera. Simon thank you again for another informative video. You definitely know how to break down a topic so that it's very easy to understand. These past few days I've been binge-watching your videos. Love them a lot.. Thank you !!!!

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@youritguy1]

@@simon_dentremont You really do make great videos that are very easy to understand.

[@Twobarpsi]

If you shoot in Manual Mode, you don't have to worry if the camera is guessing correctly! That's the beauty of Manual Mode! Great video Simon!!

[@simon_dentremont]

Thanks!

[@thesharpercoder]

The same Metering Modes are used regardless if the camera mode is Manual or one of the semi-automatic or fully automatic modes.

[@Twobarpsi]

@@thesharpercoderyes, but it does not change ISO, aperture, or shutter speed, in manual mode.

[@alansach8437]

@@Twobarpsi "...but it does not change ISO, aperture or shutter speed in manual mode..." No, you do! The correct exposure is the correct exposure is the correct exposure! Doesn't matter how you get there! In full manual you still look at the meter and adjust from there based on your experience and what your artistic intent is. In aperture priority, shutter priority or another semi automatic mode, you do the same. You look at what the meter is telling you and adjust (using exposure compensation) based on your experience and artistic intent. No difference. The correct exposure is the same regardless. In manual, you can't just magically tell the camera you want this aperture, this shutter speed and this ISO if that combination doesn't result in a correct exposure ( based on your artistic intent). Something has to be a compromise, just as in any other mode.

[@iulyan26]

Finally, someone that makes this not just for views. Thank you sir, you are the best!

[@GpoppaJohn]

Best channel on KZbin, explained in layman terms that even a novice can take something from and apply with confidence. Myself, I’ve struggled getting the best balance for my camera and often find myself making erratic changes to settings whilst on the go, sometimes guessing. Problem is, by the time you’ve got the setting the subject matter has moved. Really understanding my camera a lot more and enjoying the outcome far more. Thank you for this channel, it’s what I’ve been searching for, for sometime now👍

[@simon_dentremont]

welcome!

[@joelwiest562]

I've been photographing nature for 10 years and only now realized I've been using metering all wrong. Thank you for this explanation.

[@ivLens]

I was concerned about how shooting dark skin people give not sharp images. I have scouted the internet about getting sharper images but now I think the exposure metering was the issue. I was using spot metering which wanted to brightened the dark skin, and because I shoot in aperture priority, it compasiated with slow shutter speeds.

[@aml363]

These videos are incredibly helpful! I’ve been shooting for more than 30 years, but I learn something from every video. Keep up the good work. You’re a great teacher. Thanks for all the effort you put into these.

[@bernym4047]

Excellently presented and clearly explained video. Many years ago I used to shoot weddings. White dresses and dark suits were a problem. One hack I used was to spot meter green grass near the subject as this is very near 18% grey. Thanks for another useful video.

[@tmewborn1]

Thank You sir, Your video's are awesome. I am 82 years old, and You have taught me a lot. I try to take High School Action Photos for the kids for free, and diple in some local wildlife here in West Central Florida.

[@simon_dentremont]

That is awesome!

[@maxjohn6012]

Having just started with a second hand camera and lens, and having begun to understand the basics of the three key controls of manual, your videos are *definitely* the best and most useful I've come across on KZbin! I'm mostly interested in shooting insects and flowers, but also generally in shooting wildlife, and your tutorials are genuinely invaluable. Thank you very much :)

[@Blakefan2520]

Pierre, you are the best. I learn more practical knowledge from your videos than all the photography books I have read so far. I am just starting photography as a retirement hobby. Thank you for the time and effort you put into these fantastic videos.

[@larrybrown8738]

I have avoided learning about metering for a long time. His explanation was so clear and understandable. I agree--best teacher on You Tube

[@JennaCee]

I love these tutorials. It makes you think about how you go about things. Makes your photographical composition more deliberate.

[@simon_dentremont]

Excellent!

[@RyanDB]

I grew up using a DSLR, but never had more than a child's understanding of how it worked. After a decade of not touching a camera, I invested in a mirrorless a few days ago. Thanks to you (and one or two other people making similar videos) I feel like I've learned so, so much in such a short time. I just wanted to leave a comment thanking you for that

[@simon_dentremont]

That is awesome!

[@1956wm]

The video you did on AUTO ISO has changed my pictures so much. I'm now getting more and better pictures of my birds and my grandkids playing soccer. Thank you for all the work you put into your video.

[@simon_dentremont]

Excellent!

[@peeweebarney]

Good tip on metering when using a camera on MANUAL mode. As, you said, by setting the METER mode to spot and point it at a neutral color of the scene that is close to medium grey, then move the COMPENSATION scale to 0, re-compose and take the picture. Another lesson learned from you. Thank you! By the way, you got me leaving my setting on my ISO, to AUTO ISO. Another lesson learned from you. Thank you!

[@SteveP_2426]

Clearest and most concise explanation of this I've heard Simon and very useful. Thanks

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@thepirateshoots]

40 yrs ago I was born with a camera in my hand. So I appreciate your tips. Everything right. But: mean value metering and center weight metering are mostly a reminiscent of the glorious past, culminating in the white spots on the black shutter curtain of the Olympus OM2. Spot metering can be useful, agreed. You already pointed out that you have to take great care when using this. Personally - after 40 years of experience - I nearly exclusively use that matrix metering where the camera manufacturer molded all his brain into. This mode is nearly fool proof, where spot metering can go horribly wrong, if you forgot you are using it!! I guess you have made the experience and know what I'm talking about! - - fortunately you can correct for 1 stop error margin easily, shooting RAW. I am no wildlife photographer, here you might need an extra portion of accuracy to maintain maximum image quality. In all other cases: TRUST THE MATRIX.

[@simon_dentremont]

Agree, I use matrix most.

[@antonoat]

This is great because there are a lot of people new to photography who seem to think manual with auto iso is the answer to all of their prayers and yet they often don't realise the type of metering their camera is set to and the area which they are subsequently metering from can force the camera to adjust it's exposure (via iso) for a part of the scene which may not be even relevant ! The most reliable method is to use the appropriate metering mode for the subject and use full manual, then there are no adjustments which will be made automatically to the exposure! Really enjoy your films, thanks for sharing them. Just thought I'd make these points, hope you don't mind.

[@simon_dentremont]

Good points! Full manual seems to scare lots of folks though, so this is a way to ease them into ubderstanding the basics.

[@elwirastadnik]

I don't mind explanation of manuals especially when these come with comas.

[@UNLKYHNTR]

It still blows my mind that this content is free. I've learned so much from this channel and it made me love photography even more. Thank you so much!

[@simon_dentremont]

Great to hear!

[@desertlover5027]

I just found your channel a few days ago and I'm so glad I did. I appreciate many photographers on KZbin but most talk fast and assume we all know what they're talking about. Knowing what's on my camera is different from truly understanding how to use all the features. I'm retired and hike almost daily with my camera (yes, I'm old and learned on a Canon SLR). I am already seeing a difference in the way I think and look at a scene. Today, I'm putting a longer lens on my camera (an exercise you suggested in another video) to try wildlife photography. I'm slowly working my way through your fantastic, informative videos. Thank you!!!!

[@aquarian6004]

I am a beginner and I appreciate yout channel so much! The best teacher here in KZbin!

[@KarinaGlamorous]

So glad I foudn your channel! No over explanation, straight to the point, easy to understand and follow, overall amazing compared to everyone else on youtube. Thank you 👏🏼

[@tonymorrison1145]

I just learned more camera metering in ten minutes than I have I've learned in half a dozen courses.. Excllent video's. Love it!

[@ML-gb7cn]

Great explanation Simon. Nice to see a local photographer taking great images and sharing there experience with others online.

[@simon_dentremont]

Thanks very much!

[@StrangelyIronic]

I pretty much just shoot like I do with my film cameras and light meter (albeit favoring highlights for extremes rather than shadows due to digital and film being backwards on what's savable in developing/processing) which is basically just the zone system. I stick to either spot or center and evaluate elements based roughly off the zone scale. Depending on what I'm shooting, say it's a portrait, I can roughly assign one of the zebra profiles with my Panasonic to indicate roughly past the exposure I want, dial back to where I want, then use that as a starting point. From there I generally set exposure so that the important elements fall around the marks I've used for years. Average skin may be 2/3rd to a full stop over while a shadow with detail or foliage might be 1 to 2/3 under and work from there. It's not going to be a 1 to 1 translation from film to digital, but the concept is there. I'm not a fan of just exposing to the middle or to the right like everyone says to do. I understand you retain information and can process it with editing to achieve what you want, but I wasn't really a fan of dodge/burning a lot in the darkroom nor am I fan of spending a lot of time with localized masks and things for each shot. I try to keep from totally clipping highlights overall (I REALLY wish all cameras came with live accurate LRGB histograms instead of basically the green channel shown as a rough measurement of luminance), but it's not always natural for things not to clip.

[@AndersonDennis]

Watch this just for the 'calibrated to18% grey' portion, how Black on one picture or write in another compare. And then how to calibrate your camera. These tips are priceless.

[@tuckerjeffrey]

I can’t believe that I get this level and quality for being a KZbin subscriber. Thank you for all you do.

[@simon_dentremont]

Wow, thank you!

[@finmarfc]

Simon says - and I obey everytime. Good teacher, I have spend many hours learning from you. Keep up the good work!📷📸

[@CDOG575]

After I thought I understood the basics of shooting for a few years, you've clearly explained some critical techniques and tools that I was completely oblivious too. Thank you! One of the best teachers on KZbin I've seen! Thanks for keeping everything straight and to the point!

[@jennaa2157]

This was so useful!

[@JasonON]

This is one of the best explanations for metering modes I've ever seen. Wonderful!

[@181Days]

Simon: I have been shooting for years (used to develop my own black and white!), and have recently upgraded from a Canon 5D MK III to an R5, so I'm taking some time to really remind myself how to shoot and relearn how to do things with a mirrorless, and much more powerful, camera. Your lessons are as useful as the classes I took in high school years and years ago and you never fail to hit every point. THANK YOU - this channel is seriously unmatched. I'm excited to get this R5 into action - it feels like having mind control compared to the 5DIII

[@robertmiller2289]

You have the BEST wildlife videos on KZbin...I have learned more from you in a few months over every other video that I have watched which numbers in the hundreds. Thank you so much Simon. RHM

[@Durio_zibethinus]

You're a great teacher and communicator! The continuation is great, and the examples per cases are easy to digest. Thank you for your video, just found this channel through algorithm.

[@scottkempton6085]

So...... I learned two things from this video: 1) when my camera's meter is centered, it will produce exposure of what it considers 18% gray, in whatever portion of the frame I've selected with the metering mode. And 2) when I have selected manual control of shutter speed, aperture and ISO, the meter moves up and down as I change any one of those settings. This solves the mystery about why my camera (Nikon D500) always wanted to make a night scene look like daytime, and how to fix that. Thanks Simon!

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@JEmmertz]

A massive thanks to you for always being informative and interesting! I struggle a bit since leaving my older bodies and now using only full-frame capabilities of the 1DX Mark III - the settings are there and the capacity is there, but I'm overwhelmed and take too much time finding what is the best for what I do. In the end I come out with fewer keepers or much more post-processing to fix/rescue. Your videos are god sent to get me focusing on one part at a time. I will get there (stubborn), just need to get the time to shoot more and get over the quality slump and into the progress slope.

[@simon_dentremont]

You can do it!

[@angelevelynizquierdo3522]

Hey Simon, not sure how long you've had your channel but it is becoming my favorite go-to for anything photography. I'm an advanced photographer myself but the way you teach really oozes knowledge and it's clear you're a master at your craft. Good luck to your channel!

[@simon_dentremont]

Less than 2 years!

[@harshrishi515]

Amazing lesson !!! No need for me to watch it twice. very accurate and precise.... Very helpful

[@paulemma8125]

Great explanation and gives much to think about. But the shots in this vid are unbelievable. Just beautiful

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fernandocardenas2264]

Fan-tas-tic!!!! Thank you Simon. At last somebody answers my question between centerweight and partial metering that had been bugging me for years! Excellent production also, top notch. Thank you for your efforts and the dedication you put into these great tutorials. Warmest greetings from northern Nevada!

[@DrClumber]

Very clear Simon, I never really thought about metering and tend to 'set and forget'. Looking back at photos I took over the years recently I realised that my exposure often is off by several stops.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mariosnicolaou8770]

Brilliant video. Easy to understand and very interesting to listen to. You're an excellent teacher Simon. Thank you

[@Mcwordless]

Man of culture Simple Sure Facts Teaching time at its finest

[@emanshawkey628]

Thank you so much Simon for the informative videos. ❤

[@simon_dentremont]

My pleasure!

[@denishoppe3486]

My English is not the best, but I understand more of camera technic on your teaching videos, then in the most German language teaching videos. I will thank you. Greenings from northern Germany.

[@simon_dentremont]

Danke!

[@FutileGrief]

You Sir, are the best photography teacher I've ever had, and I freaking went to an Art University. Thank you!

[@ddueck7640]

I just recently discovered your Channel and I’ve been impressed with the excellent explanations of concepts that I only understood at a rudimentary level. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and explaining things in a clear way with excellent visual examples. Good stuff. It is motivating me to get my camera off the shelf and start taking photos again.

[@ericfreund3496]

Excellent video, and this subject is not talked about very often. Years ago, I was in 2 separate photography classes. In both classes I asked about these different settings. They had no explanation, other than keep on Evaluative. I’m glad somebody is talking about this. 👍🏻

[@denisesavage2382]

Great explanation! Love how you’ve broken it down and used helpful ways of explaining what each does and how you can use them.

[@simon_dentremont]

You are so welcome!

[@bissy_in_melbourne]

Oh my goodness, i had put down my camera a while ago after getting frustrated by not being able to get images of my kids and kept going back to my phone as i could guarantee exposure. Determined to crack this i have stumbled on your video and learnt more after 3 minutes than several short courses and a lot of wading through KZbin videos. Will be suscribing, thank you so much. That explanation worth the white door and black object in your office was so helpful!!

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome aboard!

[@kamiltupatowicz5161]

Hello Simon, great to see you again, as always. Wish you all the best!

[@simon_dentremont]

Thanks very much!

[@Guitarslngr]

Well done. I very much enjoy your factual and no-nonsense delivery!

[@Greatdome99]

I still have a Kodak 18% neutral gray card somewhere. Aim camera at that (assuming same lighting conditions, if possible). In extreme lighting conditions using HDR mode helps (three sucessive exposures at different values the camera combines as one). If you're using a tripod, you can do this manually (multiple shots at difference exposures, no change in optical camera/zoom position), then process three of them in Photoshop in the same way the camera does in HDR mode.

[@ModernElegancePhoto]

I'll be binging this channel, thanks for being a great teacher and to the point. I also love the chill vibe of your videos

[@marcosmartinez1488]

Knowing the evaluative metered mode at 6:50 really helped me out! Thanks

[@yolo-cars]

Great video! My metering setting is set to Matrix which is the default one. And I also I always shoot in M mode. I know it's pretty tough to shoot when the object is like your toy owl or that bird with white neck and black head because you need to sacrifice something. And it most cases if the object is moving fast you may not have time to even think about the proper settings and about adjusting your settings. I think it's when metering is very beneficial. Different scenarios need an appropriate settings. I.e. wedding photography or bird photography or auto racing may require completely different settings. Also scene vs an object also requires a situation-based decision. And that's why photography is both challenging and interesting art.

[@Dyr0s]

getting back into the hobby after 10 years. need some refreshers and you're the best teacher ive came across. subscribed!

[@antirobots]

Crazy.. the only video I have watched that explains the different metering modes simply and it actually makes sense. Thanks Simon :)

[@simon_dentremont]

Haha Glad it was helpful!

[@SlavicDragovtev]

You are incredibly good at explaining this. Watched quite a few of your videos about stuff that I mostly knew and it still felt like a rewarding experience. This particular one was actually a bit new to me, so double pleasure.

[@bobhart6160]

That has got to be the best metering explanation I have ever watched. Great video.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FutureChaosTV]

Thank you! Best, compact, in-depth explanation of the metering modes I have watched to this date!

[@wRAAh]

My old analog Nikon had multispot metering. Always gave me most feeling of control and the best results. Never found such a fine metering mode in all my digital years.

[@simon_dentremont]

Interesting!

[@tmjr]

excelent explanation, your tips should be seen by so many :)

[@emartini1]

I agree with a lot of the comments, Simon is the best photography teacher on KZbin. You have mentioned that the lens is more important than the camera body. As a novice is there any special knowledge to using lenses? More specifically, do you need to adjust settings accordingly when using different lenses? If so, I would love to see a video on it if you don't have one already. Thanks for what you do, it's awesome.

[@simon_dentremont]

Noted

[@DSG0805]

a good addendum to your tip assigning spot metering to one of your function modes. If you are using a priority mode or auto iso it is nice to press to spot meter, half press shutter to lock exposure, recompose and shoot

[@seraphin01]

Very nice and clean video. As someone who always shot manually, very rare in aperture priority, I never faced those choice issues. But I've seen some of my friends working in wedding photography especially, struggle so hard. Shooting a white wedding dress in middle of a dark church is a recipe for disaster if you don't know all of those things and you're not shooting in manual. I do like auto Iso nowadays though, especially when I have to track the subject through shadows and highlights etc and this always comes in handy

[@simon_dentremont]

Manual with auto ISO is my most used setup. Agree!

[@andreasrochow5170]

Your videos are lectures, essential! Just now I had trouble exposing black and white objects correctly. You had the right answer. Thank you.

[@markjacksonphotos]

The best tutorial I have watched.🙂👍

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you think so!

[@tarynsanmartino8930]

Very cool. Love the post processing comments. It reminded me of how far we've come from the dark room! Also, of course reading and adjusting the meter to highlight, decrease or blow out things you've made the decision on. I guess it will be a while before we can attain perfection with all these great camera settings. The challenges are all what makes photography fun! Thanks Simon. Your experience and knowledge is much appreciated in you videos. 🤗

[@Pavan.Miryala]

Hello Simon, Your approach to the teaching concepts is excellent. Complex concepts are simplified for easy understanding. Thank you so much, Simon.

[@simon_dentremont]

You are welcome!

[@James-qr9vp]

So glad I found your channel. I have been following all the other big KZbin photography channels for years. Just came across yours. You are the best no question.

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome aboard! Thanks!

[@GavinDavidson]

Excellent tutorial again 😊

[@ViejoLocuelo]

Best explanation I’ve seen. Trés bon, Simon!

[@calvindo82]

Simple and easy to understand. Thank for sharing.

[@RVNmedic]

Outstanding. I finally understand the concept. Kudos! I'm coming to Canada!

[@simon_dentremont]

Welcome!

[@pavankumarmn]

Excellent and to the point videos. Very good balance of scientific theory and practicality.

[@simon_dentremont]

Glad you liked it!

[@mackallen7287]

Just wanted to say your videos are very helpful, thank you for taking the time to record theses video and teach people like my self new things. That is very kind of you

[@alyssabmcdaniel]

So easy to follow and understand your teaching. Thanks for the explanation!

[@DerDermin8tor]

Love your Chanel and explanations. Best collection of practical proven Tips since I discovered and worked through the whole 101 (and 102) of the strobist Blog Spot. Time to work on my skills without a Flash light....

[@anaussieinvietnam]

Dude - you are good... I watched a lot of so-called experts, but you have a great way of explaining the basics.. Well done.