Playing with Exposure Compensation:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Photo #1:



Photo #2:




Photo #3:




My new Olympus camera Mark IV has a feature that I just love to use. It's called Exposure Compensation and it allows you to adjust (in real time as you look through the viewfinder) how much light to allow in your photo. Only mirrorless cameras can do this. Since there is no mirror, there is nothing to obstruct your view of the desired photo at the time you take it. It's great!

[StarryNite]

1. Neat!

How fun! It sure makes a big difference!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Thank you so much, my dear StarryNite!

It makes so much difference that I can hardly believe it.

[George McGovern]

2. These are three excellent examples of exposure compensation Peggy! I use it all the time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Thanks so much, my dear George!

I feel like the new kid on the block when she discovers that all the cool kids are already playing with the neatest new toy!

[Callalily]

3. Nice editing job!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Thanks so much, my dear Callalily!

I really wanted to show what it can do.

[SheltieLover]

7. Beautiful work, Peggy!

Ty for sharing!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Ah, you are too kind, my dear SheltieLover! I thank you for your sweet words.

Getting to share my work makes me happy!

[Major Nikon]

9. My DSLR has an even better feature

Just set it to live mode which mimics a mirrorless and view the histogram and adjust the exposure until it gets to where you want. It even works with my Nikon AIS lenses which don't work at all with my normal exposure meter. It takes a bit of practice to read histograms, but it gives you more useful information regarding setting exposure for low contrast subjects not well suited for the normal exposure meter. Your mirrorless camera probably has the same feature.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Yes, my Olympus has the live mode too.

Haven't worked with it yet. One thing at a time, at most, for this old lady!

I have looked at histograms and am aware of what they do, and what they show.



Thanks for your comments!

[Gato Moteado]

11. that's a cool idea major nikon.....

....at least for getting your exposure the way you want it. but, in my experience, even with my D850, AF is just not accurate even tho it should be, in theory. also, the image is usually somewhat grainy on the display. mirrorless are way better in live mode than DSLRs, in my opinion.

Peggy: what exposure mode do you use? it would be interesting to look at the EXIF info on the three photos to see what setting(s) the camera adjusted as you compensated the exposure.

exposure compensation is invaluable for me. i shoot manual shutter speed and manual aperture and auto ISO most of the time, unless i'm in my studio. i wouldn't want exposure comp to change my shutter speed or aperture because i have them set the way i want and i want to keep them that way. when i use exposure compensation, because of the exposure mode i use (manual but with auto ISO), the camera will only adjust the ISO to compensate. so, it doesn't really add more light or take light away from hitting the sensor, in my case, it just adjusts the light sensitivity of the sensor.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear Gato, I'm using aperture preferred.

If you feel like it, PM me your email so I can send you the three photos.

I was using manual for shutter speed and for the aperture, until AndyS persuaded me to try out aperture preferred. He thought that I should let the camera assist me. It's working very well!

[hippywife]

13. Very cool, Peggy! n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. Thanks so much, my dear hippywife! Good to see you.