Accurate exposures with pin-point readings

Use the histogram to fine-tune your settings to achieve the look you're going for in your final image

Although your camera won’t make any adjustment to the exposure when you’re working in Manual mode, it provides useful guides.

The histogram is a good place to start. With the Iive histogram displayed on the rear screen (or in the electronic viewfinder of a mirrorless EOS camera), you’ll be able to monitor the effect that the aperture, shutter speed and ISO are having on the overall exposure as you make the changes. For example, as you can see in the histograms shown here, you can shift the histogram to the left and make the picture darker by using a lower ISO and/or a faster shutter speed and/or a higher f-number than the setting that’s currently dialled in. Do the opposite if you want to make the picture brighter.

As the camera’s meter is still active in Manual mode, you’ll see the exposure indicator in the bottom of the viewfinder moving as you adjust the exposure settings. If the indicator is in the middle of the scale, then the subject covered by the meter will be recorded as standard mid-tone.

To make this area brighter than mid-tone, and shift the indicator to the right (bright) side of the scale, once again you can use a higher ISO, longer shutter speed or lower f-number. Use Partial or Spot metering to take pin-point exposure readings from specific areas.

You can also use the AE Lock button on the back of the camera to compare how other bright or dark other areas of the picture will be with the current exposure settings. Tap the button, recompose the shot and a second indicator will appear to show you the exposure level difference between the two areas. This is useful if you want to check if other parts of the picture will be brighter or darker than you want them to be.