“What metering mode do you use?” This question is rapidly going up the charts as most asked question that hits my inbox. My answer often brings back a confused look as if it can’t be true. I’m in Matrix Metering mode 100% of the time. And with that answer comes, the what ifs. “What if I’m shooting a concert?” I’m not, it’s not what I do. “What if you’re shooting an indoor sport event?” I’m not. “What if you’re shooting into the sun?” Now there something I do along with a bunch of other outdoor subjects. And my answer stays the same, Matrix Metering. Our relationship with light is very special. It’s what brings life to our subject, sets the stage for our subject in our photo and leads the eye around the frame to take this all in. So for me, it’s real simple. Exposure = Emotion
Recently I said that to a photographer and they said back to me, “That sounds great but how does that help me with metering?” The relationship of lights and darks in our photo sets the mood for the subject and therefore, the emotion. The meter does one thing and does it very well, gives advice. Our cameras are amazing machines but I still call them the Cold Hearted Bastards because they don’t have a heart. That is our job as photographers. So the advice the camera advises for metering must be run through our heart. And with that filter, exposure compensation comes into play. And exposure compensation all depends on YOU as it’s your story, your heart, your emotion. To help with that, I long ago came up with the Teddy Bear Exercise. This is an exercise for YOU to determine for YOUR style of photography, YOUR gear what’s the best exposure to tell the story. Because in the final analyze, you’ve gotta have faith, your heart is truly the best meter!