Understanding Metering modes

What is metering modes? How do we use them? In shorts, metering modes refers to the way that the camera determines its exposure. The most common modes found on DSLR are Center-Weighted, Spot and Matrix.

Center-Weighted
In this mode, the center circle carries more "weight" when the light meter averages out the brightness across the scene. The meter will cover around 75 percent through the view finder, at which the center are is well exposed. This mode is best to use when you shoot portraits and close-up.


Spot
In Spot metering, the camera will measures the small circle in the center of the view finder, between 1 to 5 percent. It is commonly used to produced high contrast photos. As the camera focus on this small area, it tends to ignores the exposure outside this spot. It is best to use if there is dramatic in illumination between the subject and the surroundings,particularly if the subject is not fast moving. One good example is use to shoot the moon.

Matrix

This is the standard metering mode. This is an all-around metering where the camera system will decide the exposure for the situation. When the camera decide the level of exposure, it will take into account the autofocus, distance to subject. Best to use for daily photography.