Exposure Compensation

Exposure Compensation is a control on many cameras. It is a +/- scale with numbers at each marking. It is often designated with an icon showing both a plus and a minus sign. Some cameras use the designations of EV or +/-. The markings are -2.0, -1.7, -1.3, -1.0, -0.7, -0.3, 0.0, +0.3, +0.7, +1.0, +1.3, +1.7, +2.0. 0.0 is the recommended exposure. The others numbers are there, because sometimes with complex lighting shadows or highlights can be compromised by shooting at 0.0. This is very difficult to see on even the best camera monitors. Positive values make the subject brighter and negative values make it darker. With complex lighting taking a picture at 0.0, +1.0 and -1.0 can greatly improve the chances of getting an exposure that needs a minimal amount of color correction editing. With extra time an patience try 0.0, +0.3, +1.0 ,-0.3 -1.0 or other configurations. It is not possible to do this with every photograph since some subjects have movement or fast shifting light.

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