The Digital Photography Companion

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EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

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sense means there is some loss of image quality after you’ve made the edit and resaved

the file.) So, JPEG shooters want to get it right in the camera to curtail image editing

later on while working with pictures on the computer. Exposure bracketing increases

your odds of getting the perfect exposure with one click of the shutter button. You can

discard the outtakes after you’ve evaluated the images.

A series of three pictures of the same scene at bracketed exposures

Exposure Compensation

One of the most valuable tools available on your digital camera is the exposure com-

pensation scale, which allows you to override your camera’s autoexposure reading so

that you can capture the image exactly the way you want it. On some cameras, this is a

button option that you can get to easily, and on others it’s a menu item that’s not quite

as convenient. Either way, you’ll want to know where exposure compensation is on your

camera. It can help you take pictures that more accurately represent the scene you’re

trying to capture and can save you time later when you’re adjusting the exposure on

your computer.

You may be thinking, “But doesn’t my camera always know the right exposure to set?”

Not entirely. e light meter in your camera is calibrated to expose properly for any-

thing that’s 18% gray. is represents the approximate light reflection ...