+/- ev

[mateoc15]

After reading a few articles I'm a bit confused on using the exposure adjustments. I realize what they do and use them myself (usually only after taking a shot that I don't like, then adjusting) but I'm confused on why use one over the other.

Is +1EV flash the same as +1EV general exposure? The only difference I can think of is that you can direct a flash (bounce, etc) and you can't direct a general exposure adjustment. So, all other things equal (flash direction, etc) would a +1EV flash adjustment in combination with a -1EV exposure adjustment give you basically the same image as a 0 flash and 0 exposure?

Also, if I'm using manual mode (shutter, aperture, ISO) is there any use for exposure adjustment? Can't I just tick one of those three up or down a notch?

Do photography "purists" frown upon this function as "too easy" or a "cheap work-around"?

Don't get me wrong. It's easy and convenient to use, but I just want to understand why it's good or bad in different situations.

Thanks!

[zona5101]

Great questions. So your on the right path thinking about the exposure compensation but maybe need to think a bit more about what each is doing. +1EV Flash and -1 EV overall would be the same except you have a subject in there somewhere!. Where no flash influences the frame, the exposure will be under 1 stop from what the meter says would have rendered 18% gray. In areas lit by the flash, the subject will be overexposed by one stop. Also recall that your flash to subject distance will influence how much over or under exposed your subject really is regardless of your +/- EV flash compensation. So when to use your flash comp? One situation might be shooting outdoors and you are using fill flash and you want to pump up the fill. [imagine 11:30 am sun is behind the subject and you are framing the photo to include a full length person, plenty of background is in the frame to influence your meter to properly expose the background but under expose your subject…+3/4 to +1 ev flash comp.]

Manual mode comp - If you are using your manual settings, changing any of the 3 legs will give you the same +/- ev of compensation. Many people shoot in manual then while framing the subject, change the aperture or shutter and observe the +/- exposure indicators within their viewfinder – never taking their eye off of the subject. Especially true with modern dslrs with thumb and forefinger dials...

[mateoc15]

Thanks for the reply. That helps. I guess I hadn't considered the subject with respect to the adjustments (hello! important!)

P.S. - I need to learn to use the view finder to check settings and adjust without pulling away!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by mateoc15

Is +1EV flash the same as +1EV general exposure?

Yes, and no. (BTW, Nikon and Canon are different in this regard; if you're reading this and you're a Canon shooter, ignore what I'm about to say, and go read Planet Neil on the subject). But on the Nikon side of the fence, the overall exposure compensation affects both ambient and flash, while FEC affects only the flash output.

So, all other things equal (flash direction, etc) would a +1EV flash adjustment in combination with a -1EV exposure adjustment give you basically the same image as a 0 flash and 0 exposure?

Except that your background/ambient will be darker than if you went 0/0. You've shifted your balance between ambient and flash so that you're working at 1 stop below ambient.

Also, if I'm using manual mode (shutter, aperture, ISO) is there any use for exposure adjustment? Can't I just tick one of those three up or down a notch?

Yes, but on my Canon, exposure compensation is simply disabled in Manual mode. From what I'm googling, you'll only see exposure compensation in Manual mode if you have a flash attached and the flash is in TTL.

Do photography "purists" frown upon this function as "too easy" or a "cheap work-around"?

If they do, they're fools. A tool is a tool. All that matters is learning how to use it to the best effect. Some people prefer going all-Manual because it's actually simpler and easier than sussing your way through how the camera thinks.

[mateoc15]

Thanks inkista - I agree about the "tool is a tool" thing, but I just know that the guy shooting large format film somewhere disagrees I didn't know how many of those were out there. For the most part you seem to be right... DSLR users will take advantage of anything that's out there!