Exposure-over or under?

[yokolok]

If i remember correctly - when in doubt - when shooting slides, it was safer to underexpose. When shooting negatives, better to overexpose. What about in digital? Is there sucha "general" rule? Does it matter whether you shoot in jpeg mode or raw mode?

[wulf]

It is better to lean towards underexposure than overexposure. The reason is that you can often pull some detail and excitement out from a dull, dark picture but once the highlights are blown there is nothing left to work with.

However, you can also take advantage of the nature of digital cameras. Check the LCD for instant feedback on what the shot looks like. Use tools like "blinking highlights" and histograms to check that you are not losing information from the image capture. Take several exposures and combine them back on your computer.

Wulf

[Seltzer]

Just don't get too overzealous about checking all of your shots and getting into the realm of chimping.

[AZ4Runner]

My photography instructor at the community college was comparing "shooting digital" to that of shooting on slides.

[smc1377]

I'm going to chime in with underexposed as well, just in case it hasn't been emphasized enough. It's amazing what Photoshop (or equivalent programs) can bring out of the underexposed areas, but they rarely can recover anything from the blown out areas.

When I take action photography where shots come so quickly that I never have a chance to check my shots, I always error on the side of underexposure, almost purposely underexposing my photos, so that I have more options in post.

[yokolok]

thanks for the feedback and explanation guys!!! much much appreciated!

[nfnitloop]

There's these two articles that really explain it well (gets a bit technical)

Luminous Landscape - Expose Right

Luminous Landscape - Understanding Histograms