Handheld incident light meters are used to directly measure the amount of light hitting a subject. This is done by placing the meter close to the subject; the white circular zone (lumisphere) is where lighting is collected for the measurement. In other words, light meters are all about getting a nice, detailed, balanced exposure, where the highlights aren't too. A light meter measures the light in a scene so you can set an exposure that is neither too bright nor too dark. Here's how to use both for spot-on exposure. When working in a light-sensitive medium such as photography, it's pretty imperative you have a firm understanding of how light works. So, how do you actually use the in-camera light meter? To use the in-camera light meter, choose a suitable mode: Spot (tiny central spot), Partial (a bigger central. Whether you're using the one built into your camera or a dedicated handheld unit, understanding how to use a light meter will fundamentally change the way you shoot, giving you consistent, predictable, and beautiful results.
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