Ready to really use your DSLR in full manual mode? I am going to show you how to use your camera’s meter. Does just reading those words make you anxious? Well, relax already!! This is about having fun and no one will be getting graded! Like I’ve been telling you, I am not a professional but I did have to learn how to use my camera so that I could take pictures for my blog posts. The part of my camera that finally made it easy is the meter!
So, how does the meter work? The meter has lines on it that span from + (plus) to – (minus) with a 0 (zero) in the middle. When the lines are to the + (plus) side, the picture has more light and when the lines are to the – (minus) side the picture has less light. By changing the aperture or shutter speed, these lines will move more toward the + or -.
The meter is also visible through the viewfinder (at the bottom) so I can make adjustments while the camera is up to my eye.
In the picture above, I am still at an aperture setting of 4.5/f but there are lots of lines going toward the + (plus) on the meter and the picture is overexposed (too much light). To get back toward the zero, I would turn the Rear Dial to the right. My thumb can turn that dial when I am looking through the viewfinder.
This picture has too many lines toward the – (minus) and the picture is underexposed (too dark). To get back toward the zero, I would turn the Rear Dial to the left.
This picture is has no lines or the meter is at the 0 (zero). This is where aperture priority would put you but to me the picture is still too dark.
So, I turned the Rear Dial a bit to the left making the lines go toward the + (plus) making the picture a bit brighter. That is exactly why I don’t use the aperture priority setting but control it myself. The reason this happens is that, depending on where I set the focal point, the camera will do the settings there. Look at how bright the yellow tulip is and how dark the purple tulip is. The inside of the purple tulip is black and if I wanted it to show, I would have to move way toward the + (plus). The inside would show up and the rest of the tulips (especially the yellow one) would become overexposed but it would probably look neat. It was starting to rain when I took these so I didn’t mess around anymore. 
To sum it up:
Hello, I'm Tonia. Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I want to inspire others through recipes, crafts and tutorials.
I have a wimpy little camera but once I buy me a better one I am coming back to check out all of your tips. As always your pictures are just stunning!
Ok, I think I followed this…
I need to play around a bit in manual for sure. I just bought a 50mm lens and am really loving it!
I’m going to have to get my camera out & play around with it while reading this post. Great tips here! I love the photography posts that you do!
Wow, Tonia. You actually made that sound easy. I think I might be ready to give it a go. I’ve been so frightened by the words “manual” and “camera” in the same sentence! LOL
Anne xx
I couldn’t do it without the meter! Although I like my pics best when the meter is +1!
So helpful … thanks, Tonia!
Great tutorial.. I already use my meter, but you explained it so well.. I must pin it for future reference!
I need one of these cameras…but every time I start saving up, I end up spending the money on a trip somewhere instead!
need to try this! i always feel like my photos are too dark even when i change the aperature and shutter speed…didn’t think about trying the meter too!
I will play around with this today, been out taking pictures, totally adjusting the aperature but getting nothing blurred. I need to take it slower and work with the meter too!
I just started doing this because my new camera overexposes. Thanks for the examples.