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A Practical Overview of In-Camera Metering Modes – Photography Tutorial

August 20, 2011 - Article by Pye

Evaluative, matrix, spot, center weighted average, partial; Yeah, we know metering modes are a bit confusing. But, learning and understanding your camera’s metering mode system is an absolutely crucial step in your photographer education.

Understanding the different metering modes will enable you to achieve more accurate exposures, shoot more consistently, and shoot much more efficiently.

In this photography video tutorial, we are going to briefly explain to you the different in-camera metering modes, as well as show you some practical real life examples of each mode and how they behave in use.

Enjoy!

Chris
SLR Lounge Editor
Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography

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About the author

About Pye
Pye (AKA Post Production Pye) is a founder and the Managing Editor for SLR Lounge. Pye is also a Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography, an Orange County based wedding, engagement and portrait photography studio. Connect with him on Google Plus
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  • new

    Is there a metering mode that is weighted more heavily on your cameras af point instead of just the center? The video mentions that evaluative metering puts additional weight on your cameras plane of focus, is that the same thing?

    • Marco

      As far i know spot does exactly this. In the video he mentions that the camera measures the light using 1-5% of the scene to determine the light, but if you change your focus point you can use a different spot to meter light without having to move your camera. This is useful to save time while remetering your light without having to get out of your desired frame.

      • Anonymous

        Depends on the camera. I.E. Canon 5D Mark IIs (not sure about the mark 3) always spot meter from the center point, where as on a Nikon you can change the spot meter to the actual selected focal point.

  • Julie

    Nice.  I never play with those.  Do you guys switch up your modes through the course of a wedding day or have a favorite one you stick with exclusively?

  • Turners

    That is the creepiest Michael Jackson look-alike mannequin I’ve ever seen.

  • GST

    Smile please!

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