I am a little upset...

[candleman]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

Pay attention to the metering patterns. Canon 50D has 35 area Eval, Center weighted, Partial, Spot. Partial or spot may be better for this case.
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yes.. exactly right

learn how to use your metering modes., i'd spot meter for the face,
or meter for highlight and use flash to fill

[pixiedust_photo]

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!

Lots of great advice and I knew nothing about those 2 buttons....THANKS

[Digidave]

All good advice. There is one last thing you should learn that can save you a lot of frustration. If a camera has the ability to show a preview on the rear LCD screen, along with the Histogram of a photo, you should have your camera set to do so. This can help decide if your photo will will be to far "Blown Out" to be acceptable. Here's a link to an article on how to read a histogram. It also talks about Exposure in general. Good Read!!

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/how-to-read-a-histogram.html

[wulf]

Originally Posted by Digidave

All good advice. There is one last thing you should learn that can save you a lot of frustration. If a camera has the ability to show a preview on the rear LCD screen, along with the Histogram of a photo, you should have your camera set to do so....

For me, that is a significant part of the value of digital cameras - instant review of the results (are there any digital cameras that don't do this?). The small LCD screen isn't always enough to evaluate the fine details but (especially with histogram or blinking highlight overlays) should be more than sufficient to ensure that you are in the ballpark with exposure and composition.

Wulf