Light meters measure the sensitivity of light in comparison to the set American Standard Association (ASA) scale of film speed. Incident or hand-held light meters are characterized by a translucent white dome above the light sensor, and can greatly improve the work of a photographer at any level.
The Right Meter
The meter model needs to provide a solid degree of control concerning ambient and flash readings. Small and light models are best for all types of photography, except for studio work (there are many available if this is what you are looking to accomplish.) Hand held meters do not take into account a subject`s reflectance, but most can deal with both incidental and reflected light. Once meters calculate the available light, they are designed to produce a medium grey tone. Hand held meters can help you avoid unnecessary tonal and brightness influences that would have you otherwise employ exposure compensation that could get needlessly complicated.
Outdoor Meter Readings
Special attention should be paid when a background or subject is particularly, unusually light or dark because it can throw off the light meter's reading. If you are aiming the camera at a scene with excessive water, sky, snow or sand and do not adjust the exposure, the photos will likely turn out severely underexposed, and throw off the color of the objects. To balance out a bright background, you should adjust the exposure. Locate a mid tone somewhere between dull black and sleek white (green grass or dirt) and meter from there. If you cannot find this tone in nature, you can try an item of clothing you are wearing. Something like skin tone or sand to meter off of may throw off the reading because it is too bright, and you will have to compensate for this slight difference. Average light, a setting between shadow and light, should be metered. If metering a tree for example, the shadow will reveal itself naturally from the foliage, so it is best to capture the area that includes half of the tree and half of the shadow. The same concept applies for preparing to take a picture of a building that creates a shadow. Be sure to do another reading if the light changes
Indoor Meter Readings
Indoors, locate your meter by a window and go for a similar ratio between shadow and light. This directional and diffused light achieves low levels, but high qualities, and needs to be metered accurately to produce attractive photography.
Tags: adjust exposure, between shadow, between shadow light, Hand held, Hand held meters, held meters