Are you a cat photography enthusiast who sometimes struggles with terms and jargon you don’t understand? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! I encountered a camera adjustment I was not familiar with recently and I want to share because it’s a bit of an eye-opener and it can make a difference to your cat (or dog!) photos when you use it on your mirrorless or DSLR camera.
As a bonus I am including my FREE photography glossary as a download (see the bottom of the post)! The free eList includes a lot of photography terms for beginners.
I am going to try this one out a lot over the coming weeks and I think you will too so let’s look at Exposure Compensation and see how it works in practice.
Exposure Compensation Examples
Here are two samples of the difference the change can make ‘in the camera’ and save you endless fussing and tinkering with your cat’s photo in a photo editor. Toulouse (tabby), and his best friend Wyatt are my models to show very simply how using plus or minus makes a difference. The impact on a photo can be a lot more dramatic but this shows you what that simple dial or button can do.
Meet Exposure Compensation
What is Exposure Compensation a.k.a. Exposure Control? It is a sneaky and simple way of slightly adjusting the exposure from the settings the camera decides are good for your shot. It works while you use the Modes (see quote) and lets you change the exposure just a little bit. Why would you do this? Because our camera’s aren’t perfect and can misjudge the light so you can step in and make a small change.
To use exposure priority, your camera must be in a setting that uses the camera meter. This can be Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Program Mode, or other Scene Modes. The only time it will not work is when you have your setting in Manual or Automatic Mode.
I admit that I am not big on ‘manual‘ mode as it does not work well for my kind of cat photography, although some photographers swear its the best.
I take photographs of cats in repose, cats moving or fierce cats often within five minutes of each other. So, I prefer to use Aperture Priority (Nikon A) and Shutter Priority (S/Tv). Still, sometimes the light isn’t quite right and it needs the small tweak this tool can provide.
TIP If you are familiar with your camera’s histogram a small adjustment to your exposure can help you remove the dreaded ‘blinkies’ which point out areas you have over exposed. Anything that helps you avoid that is a good thing – right?
Where do I find Exposure Compensation
It is different on each camera so check your manual or a tutorial video online. It can be a button, a dial or part of your menu but there will be a symbol similar to this, a plus and minus.
- Plus – Use this to draw out details in the shadows scroll towards the +. Details in a cat face become more visible for example.
- Minus – Use this to underexpose your image and draw out details in the highlights of your photo.
FREE Download of Dash Kitten’s FUN Photo Glossary
Interesting- I have an old iPhone so no fun features here but I have figured out how to clean up some of my photos with exposure in editing. I never really associated that plus stars the cat’s features and – highlights the photos. Good to know (I use + a lot to make Plush look like he actually has a face.
I always love your tips but keep my camera on automatic as it is easier for me and am scared to start changing things on it LOL. Love your photography as always
Excellent tutorial as always, Marjorie! I love how you provide easy tips for improving photos that are so easy – well, once you explain them. This exposure tip is a really good one for me. For some reason, I often underexpose Henry (might be my eyes or glasses). I think I’m going to try to hit the + to compensate for this issue. Cannot wait to try this one! Thanks!
I always love how you explain things in layman terms so the beginning shutterbug (as well as us seasoned ones) always get some great tips from you! Pinning this to my Shutterbuggin’ board to share with others!
Very helpful tips, but way over my head!! I like things nice and simple so I use my cell phone or my camera which is all automatic. Definitely limits what I can do though.
It’s always helpful to bookmark and revisit when the time is right Hindy.
I did not know you could do this. Sure enough … my camera has this button (in pristine, new condition, unlike the illustrations on the other buttons, which are rubbed off).
Thank you for the tips. XO
I did not know that! Thanks! I wonder if its on my Canon P&S camera as it does have a P mode. Though I find that my cell phone takes much clearer images…it has lower f-stops than the ‘real’ camera…and apparently is can compensate for lower light conditions. Will check that out too. (I have an iPhone13.)
Worth checking your camera!
Nice photos. Thanks for the tips. XO
Excellent tips and adorable kitty pics!
Another great set of tips. You’ll make good photographers of all of us with your great instruction, Marjorie. 🙂
Love the magic of photo exposure! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!