If you have been taking photos for a while, you may have noticed a curious phenomenon: when you take photos in very bright conditions, like at the snow, they turn out too dark, and when you take photos in dark conditions, they turn out too light. So why does this happen?
Well, first of all it is important to note that because a lot of the time cameras reproduce more or less what we see with our eyes, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we can just put the camera in fully automatic mode, point, shoot, and get a photo that looks just like what we saw. But this is not always possible, and it is because of the way your camera makes decisions when you press the button.
Unless you are using a fully manual camera, your camera must make the decision as to how much light to allow the sensor to be exposed to. If there is too little light, the subjects of the photograph may appear almost invisible, also known as 'underexposed." In reverse, if there is too much light allowed, areas of the photo may be completely white, also known as "overexposed."
A camera will make these decisions based on the fact that most scenes, most of the time, are comprised of both light and dark tones that average out about the same. This average is commonly referred to as "18% grey." This premise is what allows the camera to determine how much aperture and shutter speed should be utilized. However, in certain situations, this rule of thumb can break down.
To better explain, let's look at a common example: taking a photo of a polar bear in the snow on a bright sunny day. You are seeking the ability to reproduce the bright scene you viewed with your own eyes. However, most likely the bear and the snow will appear to be a dirty grey. The reason for this result is that your camera is utilizing its rule of thumb to determine shutter speed and aperture.
The reverse situation can be explained with an example of a dark photograph. Perhaps you wish to capture the magic of a dark street lit by streetlights. You are expecting a photo that is mainly dark with areas of illumination. However, because your camera is making decisions using its rule of thumb, you are more likely to have a photo that is brown in areas that should be black as well as having lighter areas that are white or overexposed.
In order to expose very light and very dark scenes correctly (i.e. close to how you saw them), you will need to take control of your camera, rather than letting it do everything for itself. One way to do this is to dial in exposure compensation " add one stop for bright conditions and the reverse for dark conditions. Or you could simply put the camera in manual mode and try different settings until you get what you want, using the rear LCD to review your results.
Well, first of all it is important to note that because a lot of the time cameras reproduce more or less what we see with our eyes, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we can just put the camera in fully automatic mode, point, shoot, and get a photo that looks just like what we saw. But this is not always possible, and it is because of the way your camera makes decisions when you press the button.
Unless you are using a fully manual camera, your camera must make the decision as to how much light to allow the sensor to be exposed to. If there is too little light, the subjects of the photograph may appear almost invisible, also known as 'underexposed." In reverse, if there is too much light allowed, areas of the photo may be completely white, also known as "overexposed."
A camera will make these decisions based on the fact that most scenes, most of the time, are comprised of both light and dark tones that average out about the same. This average is commonly referred to as "18% grey." This premise is what allows the camera to determine how much aperture and shutter speed should be utilized. However, in certain situations, this rule of thumb can break down.
To better explain, let's look at a common example: taking a photo of a polar bear in the snow on a bright sunny day. You are seeking the ability to reproduce the bright scene you viewed with your own eyes. However, most likely the bear and the snow will appear to be a dirty grey. The reason for this result is that your camera is utilizing its rule of thumb to determine shutter speed and aperture.
The reverse situation can be explained with an example of a dark photograph. Perhaps you wish to capture the magic of a dark street lit by streetlights. You are expecting a photo that is mainly dark with areas of illumination. However, because your camera is making decisions using its rule of thumb, you are more likely to have a photo that is brown in areas that should be black as well as having lighter areas that are white or overexposed.
In order to expose very light and very dark scenes correctly (i.e. close to how you saw them), you will need to take control of your camera, rather than letting it do everything for itself. One way to do this is to dial in exposure compensation " add one stop for bright conditions and the reverse for dark conditions. Or you could simply put the camera in manual mode and try different settings until you get what you want, using the rear LCD to review your results.
About the Author:
Tobias Sterling is a keen photography enthusiast who loves to write and share his photography knowledge online. He does so by contributing his articles including Motor Sports Photography Blur and Photogrpahy Aperture Guide to Clivir.com.
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