Camera Exposure, Metering, and White Balance

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing camera metering types, PSAM exposure modes, exposure meters, ISO ranges, and white balance settings based on the lecture transcript.

Matrix/Evaluative Metering

An in-camera exposure metering mode that measures multiple areas of the frame to calculate exposure for the whole scene; best for general photography.

Center-Weighted Metering

An in-camera exposure metering mode that measures the whole frame but prioritizes the center.

Spot Metering

An in-camera exposure metering mode that measures light from a very small, specific area; best for a specific section.

Program (P)

A shooting mode in PSAM where the camera chooses aperture and shutter speed.

Shutter Priority (S)

A shooting mode in PSAM where you choose shutter speed and the camera chooses aperture; used when controlling motion, such as freezing sports or blurring waterfalls.

Aperture Priority (A)

A shooting mode in PSAM where you choose aperture and the camera chooses shutter speed; used when controlling depth of field, such as portraits or landscapes.

Manual (M)

A shooting mode in PSAM where you control aperture and shutter speed.

Exposure Compensation

A function that makes the image brighter or darker than the camera's suggested exposure; its effect depends on the exposure mode and camera settings.

Exposure Meter

A device that measures light to help achieve correct exposure, requiring light from or falling on the subject depending on the meter type.

Incident-Light Meter

A type of exposure meter that measures light falling on the subject.

Reflected-Light Meter

A type of exposure meter that measures light reflected by the subject toward the camera.

Common ISO Speeds

The standard progression from slowest to fastest: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12,800, 25,600.

High ISO

A sensor setting that offers better ability to photograph in low light or use faster shutter speeds, but results in more digital noise, reduced image quality, and reduced detail and colour accuracy.

Low ISO

A sensor setting that provides cleaner images with less noise, but requires more light, a wider aperture, or a slower shutter speed.

AWB

Auto White Balance.

Daylight White Balance

A white balance setting that balances colours for direct sunlight.

Fluorescent White Balance

A white balance setting that corrects the colour cast from fluorescent lighting.

Tungsten/Incandescent White Balance

A white balance setting that corrects the warm orange-yellow cast from indoor bulbs.

Cloudy White Balance

A white balance setting that warms colours to compensate for cloudy light.

Shade White Balance

A white balance setting that warms colours in shaded areas, which can appear bluish.

Flash White Balance

A white balance setting that balances colours for light from a camera flash.