"Exposure Compensation can only adjust what the camera is responsible for" = the most concise & most easily understood explanation I've ever heard for this. Thanx!
Thx for the details on the camera modes. Most other videos tell us what exp comp is and when to use it, but they don't talk about the shooting settings like you did. Thank you so much for sprinkling that in at 14:10.
I have watched multiple explanation videos on exposure compensation and never really understood how it works until your video. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Absolutely the best explanation of exposure compensation. Especially the emphasis on differentiating between light levels and tonalities. Also explaining how exp compensation only controls what the camera is ‘allowed’ to control based on what mode you are shooting in. I often shoot man aperture and SS with auto ISO, because camera sensitivity has become so good. So your explanation of how exp comp works in this scenario is quite informative. Thank you sir for sharing your expertise.
i dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
@Marcelo Maxton i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Superb explanation, looked across the net as to why the EC didn’t work, you explained the “capping out” and I now see why EC didn’t respond . Great video. Well presented.
I now shoot Canon, but Steve's explanations are easily applied to any brand and his books are still the best. From time to time, I review his material to refresh my memory and correct creeping bad habits. Thanks Steve!
Very clearly explained and helpful. Thank you. You go through the typical situation when it is hard to judge sometimes. Especially white bird with dark background
In addition to these exposure compensation tips which I use, I've programmed a button on my D850 to highlight-weighted metering which often does the trick for quick highlight protection.
@@mikestandridge8897 Check your manual for how to program buttons and program the one you want for "highlight-weighted metering". Then hold the button while taking a picture when you think you need the extra protection in a hurry.
Thanks for the explanation about capping out. I shoot M + auto ISO most of the time other than for tripod static images like architecture. I was recently masochistically shooting sparrows as Covid has restricted my travel and that's all that comes to my yard. I was getting some consistent significant underexposures and now I understand why I was struggling. Fix the max menu selection dummy..
Thank you for making the best wildlife photography channel. I would like to hear your view on selection of metering modes, matrix or center weighted or spot.
7:00 was the lightbulb moment for me. And it featured a lightbulb for demonstration. Win, win. Great video I think I've finally got a grasp on this subject now.
from Brazil 🇧🇷 - wow thanks so much, I tried scouring the internet for a good explanation, and forums recommended me to your channel, I already bought the secrets to the Nikon Autofocus system, and now I will buy the metering and exposure compensation guide book too. it would be nice if you would feel all the books in like a bundle as well, would make me more inclined to buy all! thanks anyways.
Bravo! This is the best explanation I've ever seen. You even included how it will only change the metering indicator if in Manual mode with iso not on auto. People, if you don't understand after watching this, watch it again. Well done 👍
awesome video - explained it all excellently. You hit the head of my problem as your last point "In full manual mode, it bias the meter " and doesn't affect the picture. That's what I couldn't figure out in my situation. Thanks so Much.....your the Nikon specialist I turn to.
Thank you for the video. I'm getting understanding more and more on Exposure stuff. This made me more confident in Exp. Comp. and which F stop I should use as well.
Thank you for this video. Live in Alaska and light is seasonal... had a hard time last summer with moose and bear in water and your pic and explanation helped A LOT!!
Sir, it appears to me that you are a Master teacher. Steve you have far been the best teacher for me, on the subject of exposure compensation 🙏🏾 🎉Thank you so much‼️
This is why you should never listen to anyone that.says the meter gets confused. If you think you can point at a scene that isn't an average of 18% grey without adjustments & get a realistic exposure, it's you that's confused. Meters simply don't work like that. 1st rule of exposure: don't assume your camera has a clue about what it's taking a shot of or how it should be exposed.....that's our job. Good vid Steve 👍
Thanks for the video Steve this subject has become a real nemesis for me lately and I am going to have to watch your video several times to help get it straight in my head. I have been shooting a lot of Bald Eagles over water and cloudy days and I either have great images or crap. More understanding is needed!
Such a great explanation! As you said, over time (experience) most of us just know what the overall light looks like and are already prepared to dial EC to make truer whites or blacks as needed. It can seem overwhelming at first, but soon its easy, (especially if you have a mirrorless camera lol)
Hi Steve, Jam packed information. Each and every line of what you said is important. I had to rewind a couple of times to listen to the information. Absolutely a gem of a lecture 🙏 Thank you for sharing your experience.
Very good video. I most often use exposure compensation to underexpose scenes that are too bright. Especially red flowers which always seem to clip the red channel. Sometimes, a CPL filter has helped me in preventing overexposure. I would like this discussion expanded in the context of metering modes and the use of an external flash. EOS 77D user. Subscribed!
Just the video I needed, I wondered already how the camera decides which variable to change when using EC, and you explained that just perfectly, thanks!
A great video as usual. Years ago, I was photographing a building here on Long Island minutes after a snowfall ceased. (Nikon D3 + Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8) At first, I raised exposure to avoid gray or bluish snow. I compensated up one stop and it looked great. Before I left, I tried spot metering a wooden doorway and actually got an exact result. It pays to experiment sometimes.
Brilliant Steve. I love watching your videos and using your ebooks. One of the best photographic educators, especially for Nikon shooters, on the internet. Thank you.
Great info Steve. Another method I use is to meter off of a bright subject and open up accordingly using the zone system. I think I’ll check out your e-book on exposure for sure.
Thanks! I discuss that method in the book (not the zone system, but the technique you mention for a bright subject - I think I mention it in my spot meter video too).
This was so helpful, thank you! I had no idea about capping levels with exposure compensation. My auto ISO was set to a max of 800 and I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working! 😅
Hi Steve, after watching these video I realized I've been taking for granted exposure settings and just this morning I missed a fantastic opportunity at sunrise while photographing birds. I realized I need to re-educate myself on the subject and obtained your exposure book. While reading the first few chapters I came across the section on pixel density and it's role in blurry or sharp images. I'm using a Nikon D850 and the new Z6ii. Given the information presented in your book, it seems my difficulties stem from the higher pixel count on the D850. Every single mistake I make is magnified. Now I know. That's besides whatever other exposure errors I've been making which have been revealed to me now. Wow! In any case I think I'll have to practice way more with my D850, getting the newer Z7ii will not help me till I nail this issue. Also it seems that faster glass may be in my future. For now the tripod is going to be heavily used. I've only started going through the book, but tomorrow morning, early light, I will begin practicing some of the initial suggestions therein. Thank you so much for your help.
This comprehensive tutorial answered a lot of mysteries I always wanted to know but no where to find them. Take away, what it does in each mode, and tonality. Too bad I am a Canoner :) Thank you for always posting useful info.
Good video. One picky point; the camera does not make an exposure mistake. It does exactly what you've told it to do, so if you've made a mistake, you won't get the exposure right.
So much to remember.... I like the concept of tonality when trying to gauge the scene for + or - adjustment. To look and see what "looks like mid tone grey" has never worked for me. I will try and work with the midtown concept as I understand it from this video - if I remember. Good review, thank you.
Great explanation, I have learnt a lot just by watching this videos. I will definitely buy your book about exposure and metering. Regards from Costa Rica.
Thanks for knowledge sharing Steve ....it was really helpfull !! Got only a question if exposure compensation has a usage at night and moon shooting ...
These are the basics that every photographer should learn at the beginning of their photographic journey, pretty much everything else hinges off of these fundamentals., you explain it better than anyone I've heard before Steve, thankfully I learnt these things over thirty years ago and I've honestly never struggled with exposure. I think it's important to add it does depend to a certain extent on which metering mode you're using and where in the frame you're metering from and if you are exposing for your subject or the entire frame the latter is what Matrix metering tries to achieve. I've recommended your E-books Steve many times to people I know who are struggling with these principals. Always enjoy your films Steve and the chance to see your photographs which are always outstanding. Cheers from the UK.
I like the way you stop a bird in 'Mid-Flight' while you adjust your Exposure Compensation Control- here in England that Bird would have 'Moved On' before you had a chance to do that ----
This is a helpful reminder (I have your books) to think of tonality first, to imagine black/white/grey. I am a manual shooter (birds) with EC. I feel like I do a lot of settings changes in the field. I may need to switch to Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority for a while to increase my keeper rate.
Nicely done. Now I have more questions on shooting soccer game action shots in diminishing light (sundown to dark) in different stadiums with lights of different lumen intensities. Sounds like shutter priority is better with higher ISO limit.
"Exposure Compensation can only adjust what the camera is responsible for" = the most concise & most easily understood explanation I've ever heard for this. Thanx!
Great explanation. So many others have made this unnecessarily difficult.
Thanks for this explanation. It’s about the best one I found on RUclips. I only have to watch it once again or twice, to catch what I may have missed.
Worthy of million subscribers
Thanks for the video. Very informative
Thx for the details on the camera modes. Most other videos tell us what exp comp is and when to use it, but they don't talk about the shooting settings like you did. Thank you so much for sprinkling that in at 14:10.
I like before I watch because I already know it will be good 🙂
Thanks!
I have watched multiple explanation videos on exposure compensation and never really understood how it works until your video. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Absolutely the best explanation of exposure compensation. Especially the emphasis on differentiating between light levels and tonalities. Also explaining how exp compensation only controls what the camera is ‘allowed’ to control based on what mode you are shooting in. I often shoot man aperture and SS with auto ISO, because camera sensitivity has become so good. So your explanation of how exp comp works in this scenario is quite informative. Thank you sir for sharing your expertise.
Steve always lays out the comprehensive tutorials when it comes to wildlife.
Absolutely very helpful videos indeed my dear friend Steve 😊 Thanks for sharing with us!👍
Best explanation on the subject I've ever heard. Thanks Steve. This is now my go to reference on EC.
i dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?
I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
@Angelo Griffin instablaster =)
@Marcelo Maxton i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Marcelo Maxton It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
@Angelo Griffin Glad I could help xD
Great explanation of EC....thanks Steve
Superb explanation, looked across the net as to why the EC didn’t work, you explained the “capping out” and I now see why EC didn’t respond . Great video. Well presented.
All I can say after watching this video is, Wow. This is like having a secret weapon in your photography bag. Thanks for sharing this information.
After going through dozens of tutorial, finally understood the concept. Brilliant tutorial.
I now shoot Canon, but Steve's explanations are easily applied to any brand and his books are still the best. From time to time, I review his material to refresh my memory and correct creeping bad habits. Thanks Steve!
Best vidoe about exp compensation. Actually telling us what everything is, what it affects, how it works. Excellent video, thank you so much.
Very clearly explained and helpful. Thank you. You go through the typical situation when it is hard to judge sometimes. Especially white bird with dark background
Clearly the best explanations on youtube. Period. Thank you Steve.
Awesome explanation Steve. I had to stop and think a bit. But this is just a brilliant explanation that I will not forget.
Bird photography in the snow today. Good thing I watched this video last night it came in handy, I didn’t really understand EC until I watched it.
In addition to these exposure compensation tips which I use, I've programmed a button on my D850 to highlight-weighted metering which often does the trick for quick highlight protection.
How did you do that? I always seem to have blown out highlights when everything else looks decently exposed!
@@mikestandridge8897 Check your manual for how to program buttons and program the one you want for "highlight-weighted metering". Then hold the button while taking a picture when you think you need the extra protection in a hurry.
@@SilverLarry Thank you!
Excellent videos Steve.
This video blew me away. So much information, such clear descriptions. I watched it twice and no questions remain. Wonderful job.
Thanks for the explanation about capping out. I shoot M + auto ISO most of the time other than for tripod static images like architecture. I was recently masochistically shooting sparrows as Covid has restricted my travel and that's all that comes to my yard. I was getting some consistent significant underexposures and now I understand why I was struggling. Fix the max menu selection dummy..
Thank you for making the best wildlife photography channel. I would like to hear your view on selection of metering modes, matrix or center weighted or spot.
7:00 was the lightbulb moment for me. And it featured a lightbulb for demonstration. Win, win. Great video I think I've finally got a grasp on this subject now.
Thanks :) I was kind of proud of that part :)
from Brazil 🇧🇷 - wow thanks so much, I tried scouring the internet for a good explanation, and forums recommended me to your channel, I already bought the secrets to the Nikon Autofocus system, and now I will buy the metering and exposure compensation guide book too. it would be nice if you would feel all the books in like a bundle as well, would make me more inclined to buy all! thanks anyways.
Bravo! This is the best explanation I've ever seen. You even included how it will only change the metering indicator if in Manual mode with iso not on auto.
People, if you don't understand after watching this, watch it again.
Well done 👍
thanks Steve I've never fully understood exposure compensation. I understand it better now.
Outstanding tutotial, Steve. You always have the best ratio of information to length of video. Pitch perfect amount of explanation.
Thanks for making ths subject so much more understandable for us beginners Steve. Well done.
this guy is one of the best on RUclips
awesome video - explained it all excellently. You hit the head of my problem as your last point "In full manual mode, it bias the meter " and doesn't affect the picture. That's what I couldn't figure out in my situation. Thanks so Much.....your the Nikon specialist I turn to.
Best wildlife tipps on youtube! Thank you so much Steve for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for the video. I'm getting understanding more and more on Exposure stuff. This made me more confident in Exp. Comp. and which F stop I should use as well.
Thank you for this video. Live in Alaska and light is seasonal... had a hard time last summer with moose and bear in water and your pic and explanation helped A LOT!!
I remember being so confused why my winter pictures were underexposed. Exposure comp is definitely great for everyone to learn
Sir, it appears to me that you are a Master teacher. Steve you have far been the best teacher for me, on the subject of exposure compensation 🙏🏾 🎉Thank you so much‼️
Best breakdown on exposure compensation. I have sort of understood it the last couple years but the way you broke it down is perfect. Thanks Steve!
Once again, Steve Hits it out of the park.
Thank you Sir.
Explained very well Steve, I'm a Sony shooter but your explanation of things on your channel are top notch. Always useful info here. Keep It up!
Thanks - and I have some Sony gear now too :) Love that a9ii!!
This is why you should never listen to anyone that.says the meter gets confused. If you think you can point at a scene that isn't an average of 18% grey without adjustments & get a realistic exposure, it's you that's confused. Meters simply don't work like that. 1st rule of exposure: don't assume your camera has a clue about what it's taking a shot of or how it should be exposed.....that's our job. Good vid Steve 👍
Thank you so much! Not even 1:30 in and you have already helped me immensely with some issues I've been having lately. You're a boss.
Thanks for the video Steve this subject has become a real nemesis for me lately and I am going to have to watch your video several times to help get it straight in my head. I have been shooting a lot of Bald Eagles over water and cloudy days and I either have great images or crap. More understanding is needed!
Thank you!!! You made this make perfect sense. I haven't used exposure compensation enough but will now that I understand it.
I was confused about exposure compensation vs shutter speed, and your chart at 2:48 and subsequent explanation clarified everything, thank you!
Excellent explanation of exposure compensation. Thank you very much!
It’s always the same.....you believe you know all. But than looking your video....I learn :-)
Again, like always....perfect explained.
Such a great explanation! As you said, over time (experience) most of us just know what the overall light looks like and are already prepared to dial EC to make truer whites or blacks as needed. It can seem overwhelming at first, but soon its easy, (especially if you have a mirrorless camera lol)
Hi Steve,
Jam packed information. Each and every line of what you said is important. I had to rewind a couple of times to listen to the information.
Absolutely a gem of a lecture 🙏
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Great video on this topic. Topics are covered clearly and easy to understand. 👍
Very good video. I most often use exposure compensation to underexpose scenes that are too bright. Especially red flowers which always seem to clip the red channel. Sometimes, a CPL filter has helped me in preventing overexposure. I would like this discussion expanded in the context of metering modes and the use of an external flash. EOS 77D user. Subscribed!
Just the video I needed, I wondered already how the camera decides which variable to change when using EC, and you explained that just perfectly, thanks!
Excellent video Steve as always, very informative and easy to follow.
A great video as usual. Years ago, I was photographing a building here on Long Island minutes after a snowfall ceased. (Nikon D3 + Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8) At first, I raised exposure to avoid gray or bluish snow. I compensated up one stop and it looked great. Before I left, I tried spot metering a wooden doorway and actually got an exact result. It pays to experiment sometimes.
Thanks Steve. Snow and ice always get me in trouble. The tonality piece i can remember.
Brilliant Steve. I love watching your videos and using your ebooks. One of the best photographic educators, especially for Nikon shooters, on the internet. Thank you.
Great explanation, lots of things I hadn’t known before. Absolutely loved that moose shot!!
Great - as always!
Great info Steve. Another method I use is to meter off of a bright subject and open up accordingly using the zone system. I think I’ll check out your e-book on exposure for sure.
Thanks!
I discuss that method in the book (not the zone system, but the technique you mention for a bright subject - I think I mention it in my spot meter video too).
This was so helpful, thank you! I had no idea about capping levels with exposure compensation. My auto ISO was set to a max of 800 and I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working! 😅
Another amazing video from you Steve... thanks man 🙏🙏🙏
Hi Steve, after watching these video I realized I've been taking for granted exposure settings and just this morning I missed a fantastic opportunity at sunrise while photographing birds.
I realized I need to re-educate myself on the subject and obtained your exposure book. While reading the first few chapters I came across the section on pixel density and it's role in blurry or sharp images.
I'm using a Nikon D850 and the new Z6ii. Given the information presented in your book, it seems my difficulties stem from the higher pixel count on the D850. Every single mistake I make is magnified. Now I know. That's besides whatever other exposure errors I've been making which have been revealed to me now. Wow!
In any case I think I'll have to practice way more with my D850, getting the newer Z7ii will not help me till I nail this issue. Also it seems that faster glass may be in my future. For now the tripod is going to be heavily used.
I've only started going through the book, but tomorrow morning, early light, I will begin practicing some of the initial suggestions therein.
Thank you so much for your help.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the purchase :)
Another great video. Thanks for all your help!
Great explanation, very useful, thanks Steve!
Thanks Steve! Your video was very helpful. I was thinking it about EC the wrong way round.
Very useful
Thank you Steve. Another great explanation
Good channels give tips. Great channels teach. Thanks for teaching Steve!
This comprehensive tutorial answered a lot of mysteries I always wanted to know but no where to find them. Take away, what it does in each mode, and tonality. Too bad I am a Canoner :) Thank you for always posting useful info.
Exposure is the same across camera brands... no difference ... some cameras just don’t have auto iso as an option - that’s all
Thank You Steve. Great video and examples.
Jim
Spot on. Absolutely spot on... really helpful thanks man!
Good video. One picky point; the camera does not make an exposure mistake. It does exactly what you've told it to do, so if you've made a mistake, you won't get the exposure right.
Another great video Steve. Thanks and regards from Portugal! Stay safe!
Thanks for this tutorial Steve!
So much to remember.... I like the concept of tonality when trying to gauge the scene for + or - adjustment. To look and see what "looks like mid tone grey" has never worked for me. I will try and work with the midtown concept as I understand it from this video - if I remember. Good review, thank you.
Your stuff is always very informative and well explained.
Thanks for the tips! I've been a little frustrated with exposure compensation, and this is definitely going to help! 😄
Great explanation, I have learnt a lot just by watching this videos. I will definitely buy your book about exposure and metering. Regards from Costa Rica.
Awesome, thank you!
Absolutely brilliant video, Steve. You•re very good at this.
Thanks for knowledge sharing Steve ....it was really helpfull !! Got only a question if exposure compensation has a usage at night and moon shooting ...
For the moon, spot meter on the moon itself and open up a stop or so.
Love your work Steve, so knowledgeable and inspiring. Cheers, Rick from Australia.
Learning the Zone System is great way to understand tonality and how to compensate the exposure based on which zone you want to place the subject.
Ansel Adams was a legend.
Great advice as always Steve , thanks very much. 👍
Great job as usual Steve!
Wow, great explanation Steve. Got it!
Man why did I not see this 5 yeras ago. Soo Good an explantion. Thankyou Steve.
These are the basics that every photographer should learn at the beginning of their photographic journey, pretty much everything else hinges off of these fundamentals., you explain it better than anyone I've heard before Steve, thankfully I learnt these things over thirty years ago and I've honestly never struggled with exposure. I think it's important to add it does depend to a certain extent on which metering mode you're using and where in the frame you're metering from and if you are exposing for your subject or the entire frame the latter is what Matrix metering tries to achieve. I've recommended your E-books Steve many times to people I know who are struggling with these principals. Always enjoy your films Steve and the chance to see your photographs which are always outstanding. Cheers from the UK.
Excellent, as always. Thanks Steve.
Brilliant video as always Steve
I see a new video from Steve and then first I like the video and then I watch the Video :)
I like the way you stop a bird in 'Mid-Flight' while you adjust your Exposure Compensation Control- here in England that Bird would have 'Moved On' before you had a chance to do that ----
As always, a great video! Congratulations.
Do you have a video on sunsets/sunrises? This video is perfectly clear. Well done.
Excellent explanation. Thank you.
Really good explanation!
That was a good one Steve. Thanks...
This is a helpful reminder (I have your books) to think of tonality first, to imagine black/white/grey. I am a manual shooter (birds) with EC. I feel like I do a lot of settings changes in the field. I may need to switch to Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority for a while to increase my keeper rate.
Try M + Auto ISO. Once you get the hang of it you'll never go back and it works with exp comp on most cameras. :)
Just awesome video, it clear some question marks :) Big thanks for that
Nicely done. Now I have more questions on shooting soccer game action shots in diminishing light (sundown to dark) in different stadiums with lights of different lumen intensities. Sounds like shutter priority is better with higher ISO limit.