Ask Jim

ASK JIM

Every month, Jim will answer a question from his online students, from people who participate in his tours and workshops, or from subscribers to this magazine. If you have a question you’d like Jim to answer, please drop him a note at photos@jimzuckerman.com.

Q: Jim . . .How do you decide which exposure metering mode to use for different types of photos? The reason I ask this question is that I do not understand the basic differences in how the camera is metering between matrix, centre weighted, and spot metering, and I’m not clear when I would benefit from using one mode compared to another. My camera even has spot metering high key and spot metering low key. Roddy Maddocks, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK A: Matrix (Nikon) and Evaluative (Canon) metering methods are the most accurate. That’s all you need. I went digital in 2005 (Canon), and my various cameras have never been taken off Evaluative metering since then. The metering technique I use is: I look at the LCD screen. If the picture is too light or too dark, I tweak it with the exposure compensation feature. That’s it. Metering is very simple when you use this technique. Even complex and contrasty subjects and scenes can be metered this way.