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A good starting point to any consideration of exposure is the admission that a correct exposure is mostly "correct" in the eye of the photographer. Meaning that any under, or overexposure can be perfectly acceptable if it is part of the communication of the photographer. This said, exposures can also be looked at from a "technical" point of view.

Digital cameras calculate a technically correct exposure based on the information their light meter provides. While this method works well in the majority of cases, it can, on occasion, lead to exposures that can be labelled as "technically" inaccurate.

To remedy these occasional problems, most digital cameras including relatively inexpensive ones are equipped with exposure compensation. Exposure compensation provides a means by which an exposure error can be rectified. In general, cameras offer a exposure compensation range of ± (plus or minus) 2EV ( E xposure V alue). Many cameras allow compensation to be made in increments of 1/3 EV, while some others permit it in 1/2 EV increments.

If you are just starting up in photography, photo laureates advises you to use the auto-exposure feature.

A simple concept

In exposure compensation positive values increase the brightness of the image, while negative values darker it. Probably the easiest way to explain how exposure compensation is to provide some examples of how exposure compensation affects the exposure.

The subject is an old totem pole in a park. For these photos, we selected a Casio QV8000SX, as it is one of those cameras that can record a great deal of image data (see the columns below). Additionally, the QV-8000SX is used because it has an 8X zoom, making it possible to zoom in on the top of the totem; and because of the fact that it has a good multi-pattern meter, which generally guarantees a correct exposure. A correct exposure with the exposition compensation set to "0" is important so the variations caused by the compensation can be observed.

Compensation set to "0"


File Size Resolution Quality AE Light Metering Shutter speed Aperture stop Exposure comp Focusing mode Flash mode Sharpness Saturation Contrast White balance Digital zoom Model	: 459 kbyte : 1280 x 960 pixels : Fine : Programmed AE : Multi : 1/96sec : F3.2 : 0.00EV : Auto Focus : Off : Normal : Normal : Normal : Auto : Off : QV-8000SX

Compensation set to "?.00EV"


File Size Resolution Quality AE Light Metering Shutter speed Aperture stop Exposure comp Focusing mode Flash mode Sharpness Saturation Contrast White balance Digital zoom Model	: 472 kbyte : 1280 x 960 pixels : Fine : Programmed AE : Multi : 1/146sec : F3.2 : ?.00EV : Auto Focus : Off : Normal : Normal : Normal : Auto : Off : QV-8000SX

As can be seen the effect is quite dramatic. More subtle results can be achieved by increasing or decreasing the compensation in smaller increments. As a matter of fact, some cameras can do this automatically, shooting 1 frame with the settings provided by the metering, then shooting 2 other frames, one with negative compensation and one with positive compensation. The method is referred to as " bracketing ", or " exposure bracketing ". At photo laureates , we are of the opinion that efficient uses of all different exposure techniques can create interesting photography creations.

To show the more subtle differences in exposure that can be achieved with a lesser increments, let's consider the next 3 photos of the same subject.

Compensation set to "+0.75EV"

File Size Resolution Quality AE Light Metering Shutter speed Aperture stop Exposure comp Focusing mode Flash mode Sharpness Saturation Contrast White balance Digital zoom Model	: 385 kbyte : 1280 x 960 pixels : Fine : Programmed AE : Multi : 1/121sec : F3.2 : 0.75EV : Macro : Off : Normal : Normal : Normal : Tungsten : Off : QV-8000SX

Compensation set to "0"

File Size Resolution Quality AE Light Metering Shutter speed Aperture stop Exposure comp Focusing mode Flash mode Sharpness Saturation Contrast White balance Digital zoom Model	: 452 kbyte : 1280 x 960 pixels : Fine : Programmed AE : Multi : 1/211sec : F3.2 : 0.00EV : Macro : Off : Normal : Normal : Normal : Tungsten : Off : QV-8000SX

Compensation set to "?.75EV"

File Size Resolution Quality AE Light Metering Shutter speed Aperture stop Exposure comp Focusing mode Flash mode Sharpness Saturation Contrast White balance Digital zoom Model	: 490 kbyte : 1280 x 960 pixels : Fine : Programmed AE : Multi : 1/347sec : F3.2 : ?.75EV : Macro : Off : Normal : Normal : Normal : Tungsten : Off : QV-8000SX

Just like everything else in photography, the best way to learn how to use exposure compensation is by experimentation. Sometimes, a slight alteration to the exposure dictated by the camera's meter can have an impact on the tone, and the success of the image. Darkening a stormy sea with -1/3EV can create a foreboding mood, while increasing the compensation to +1/3EV can make a picture of a child playing on a swing look happier and sunnier.