The meter in your camera will help you calculate the correct combination of shutter speed and aperture for your image. In average conditions, using the camera in this way will get you near perfect results.

The meter measures the amount of light entering the camera. By calculating the light levels the meter can judge which settings on your camera will be most appropriate. If you are using "fully programme” mode then the camera will select these settings when the image is taken. Of course, if you are in "shutter priority” mode then you set the shutter speed and the camera will select the aperture. In "aperture priority” mode, the opposite will happen.

Most cameras on programme mode will automatically select flash when light levels are low.

In more advanced cameras, there are various metering modes:

Centre - weighted metering: this allows an average meter reading to be taken of the scene but with emphasis on the central area (where the subje

Multi-zone metering: this allows meter readings from several areas of the viewing area, from which an average is taken

Spot metering: this allows a very small area to be metered and can be useful when there are strong backlit or shadow areas in the composition

In all cases it is often possible to override the camera settings by using exposure compensation.