I think I get it! Let me know if I don't.

[jbuckent]

When I'm in manual mode I should be playing with the settings (ISO, Shutter speed, aperture) until my exposure meter says its correct. Is that how most people decide they have the right settings before clicking the shutter? Obviously I need to make the decision myself if I want it over or under exposed a bit to get the look I want, but is that little meter something really important for me to be checking?


How about focusing. My camera focuses right in the middle. I hear about recomposing the shot after its focused. So does this mean, if I am taking a photo and I want my dd off to the side but I want the focus on her, I should position the camera with her in the middle, push the shutter half way, then move the camera off to the side so she is in the photo where I want her? Then anything that same distance from me will be in focus but anything further or closer won't?

 

[ukcatfan]

There is a little more to it than that. I think you have the concept of sometimes wanting to over or under expose, but there are other things to consider such as the color of what you are metering. If you can, pick up Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. It helped me a lot.

 

[boBQuincy]

Adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed will get the meter to indicate "correct" exposure but the question then is: why bother with manual settings when the auto settings will give the same exposure? The Program setting also allows exposure compensation, again negating any advantage of using Manual.

The meter indication is important, as that is the baseline exposure which is usually correct or very close to correct. The histogram is an even more accurate indicator of exposure but it is after the fact.

I use only the center focus point, half-pressing the shutter button and moving the camera if I want to re-frame the photo. Once the camera has locked in on that distance it will stay in focus at that distance.