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One Simple Setting To Improve Your Wildlife Photography Forever

There is one simple setting that will improve your wildlife photography forever. Have you ever heard of Exposure Compensation? Or maybe your photos are too light or too dark and you don't know why.This video is crucial to watch if you'd like to up your wildlife photography game.
What You Will Learn About Exposure Compensation:
🔸 What exactly it is
🔸 How it works
🔸 Where to set it in your camera
🔸 When you should use it
🔸 Why it transforms your photographs from good to great
00:00 Introduction
00:25 What to expect in this video
01:45 An important recap on exposure
02:57 How a camera's light meter works
04:36 Why are my photos too bright/too dark?
06:17 What is Exposure Compensation?
06:55 Where to set Exposure Compensation in your camera
07:15 When to use Exposure Compensation
09:37 Creative photos using mainly Exposure Compensation
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Пікірлер: 98

  • @C4PhotoSafaris
    @C4PhotoSafarisАй бұрын

    Did you know about exposure compensation before this video or have you been using it for a long time?

  • @janetkleyn1887

    @janetkleyn1887

    Ай бұрын

    I use it all the time - changed my photography

  • @RogerJones-mountfield

    @RogerJones-mountfield

    Ай бұрын

    Yes been using it for six months or more, an essential part of my photography now 👍🏼

  • @sarelalberts8890

    @sarelalberts8890

    Ай бұрын

    Ek het dit so 2 jaar terug geleer by Danielle wat by Pangolin gewerk het .Ek moet se die mirrorles kamera help baie meer daarmee .

  • @curtwells9628

    @curtwells9628

    Ай бұрын

    Yes, I have used for a long time.

  • @daniellecarstens8287
    @daniellecarstens8287Ай бұрын

    I feel so passionate about this one setting because I know how much it improved my own photography. Enjoy!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Great info thanks Danielle!

  • @flemmingmorgan1929
    @flemmingmorgan1929Ай бұрын

    Another great video. I love the clarity of your explanations and the excellent practical examples you give.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Great feedback thank you! -Danielle

  • @KalliatTValsaraj
    @KalliatTValsarajАй бұрын

    Beautiful and very informative description 👏🏽

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! -Danielle

  • @johnhudson8224
    @johnhudson822410 күн бұрын

    Well written, well shot, great info here. Think I need to see the metering videos.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    10 күн бұрын

    Thanks John. They're posted right before this video.kzread.info/dash/bejne/goKgl7V8es6ZoMo.html -Danielle

  • @joepalmer75
    @joepalmer75Ай бұрын

    Great video but should always remember to set back to 0 after changing exposure + or -

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Yes indeed. With mirrorless cameras it's much easier to see the current EV but with DSLRs it's a good habit to develop.

  • @baramirm1509
    @baramirm1509Ай бұрын

    Very well explained, great tutorial, thank you Danielle

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you Barbara! -Danielle

  • @ShemCompion
    @ShemCompionАй бұрын

    Thanks for walking through this very powerful technique. I use it every time I photograph - for 20 years.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Great to hear thanks Shem!

  • @AmadoWildlifeVideos
    @AmadoWildlifeVideosАй бұрын

    Great explanation, I'd tried using it before and did it the wrong way round so had avoided it since. Now I realize it's counter-intuitive: When the overall scene is too bright you actually add exposure, and vice versa.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Exactly - I always say "think what the camera does and do the opposite". If there is contrast, that is. But once you know how the camera "thinks", it gets easier. Enjoy! -Danielle

  • @joemisika
    @joemisikaАй бұрын

    Love it. Straight forward and easy to remember. Thanks Danielle

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks Joe!

  • @mirkoputignano7734
    @mirkoputignano77347 күн бұрын

    Very helpful 😊

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    3 күн бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @janetkleyn1887
    @janetkleyn1887Ай бұрын

    Brilliant explanation of a small thing that can transform your photography!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @thomastuorto9929
    @thomastuorto9929Ай бұрын

    Excellent presentation on the subject. Now, all one has to do is go out & play with it to get the photo they want. Most of the time, it is better than slamming the sliders in post!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Exactly! Rather get it right in camera (where possible). I do realise the extreme ends are left for editing in post, but I push it as far as I can in camera. Thanks! -Danielle

  • @mxyptlk
    @mxyptlk29 күн бұрын

    Superbly explained... I'm lucky, I grew up with hand held light meters so had to understand how reading light correctly worked for photography, I am a big fan of partial and spot metering for wildlife I love the creative results especially when shooting under or into the light, I still use exposure compensation with spot and partial metering works a treat in manual with auto ISO. Especially with OM-1 camera where I can shoot at high ISO's without fearing too much grain in my image. Unlike a canon where I need to check the ISO's before the grain takes over.... Thanks for your superb technical explanations made easy... people can learn a lot from your channel 🙏

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    29 күн бұрын

    Thank you. Yes, I think if one used an incident light meter to start off, it probably helps a lot with understanding light metering 🙂. Thanks for following - happy to have you here! -Danielle

  • @BrendanHarington
    @BrendanHaringtonАй бұрын

    Amazing video, thank you Danielle. I use exposure compensation to get the exposure correct but really excited to try pushing it far left or right to get those amazing artistic effects.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks Brendan. Yes absolutely - using EC to "correct" and to get creative, well said. -Danielle

  • @joncothranphotography9375
    @joncothranphotography9375Ай бұрын

    Thanks so much, Danielle! That is truly a helpful setting! Keep up the great work! I would love to see some safari trips that you guys run, if that is possible. I understand that you are probably spending all of your time focusing on your client, so I understand if you can't.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you Jon, really appreciate the comment. You're welcome to have a look on www.c4photosafaris.com for set date safaris or contact C4 for a tailor made safari. -Danielle

  • @joncothranphotography9375

    @joncothranphotography9375

    Ай бұрын

    @C4PhotoSafaris one of these days! For sure on the bucket list. Life just keeps getting in the way!...

  • @dylanlizette
    @dylanlizette6 күн бұрын

    super helpful! great videos! please can you do one on eye tracking in mirrorless camera's and how to set it up (really battling with this on nikon Z fc)

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    3 күн бұрын

    Hello, you're welcome. Thanks for the suggestion! -Danielle

  • @wanneske1969
    @wanneske1969Ай бұрын

    Choosing spot metering over evaluative can make a difference too if the subject is brighter/darker than the background And in spotmetering you can under/overexpose as well

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Yes that's true. However, in wildlife I find spot metering to give inconsistent results (I mention why in my metering video Part 2). You have to compensate by a different amount for each action scene because you don't know exactly where the metering point will fall. It's much more consistent in evaluative metering. And you still need to compensate when in spot, which is why I'd rather have more consistent results and use evaluative. -Danielle

  • @AndyM...
    @AndyM...Ай бұрын

    Thanks Danielle, heading to Kruger in a couple of weeks (for 5 weeks) just going thru the process of seeing how overweight my carry on baggage is going to be 😆 I use exposure compensation all the time, and its easy once you get used to it ! 🤠😎

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Five weeks sounds like a lovely holiday! I know that process too well ("how heavy can this rocket blower really be?!"). Great to hear you've made use of EC. Have a lovely trip! -Danielle

  • @dennismurray703
    @dennismurray70327 күн бұрын

    Really good explanation of this valuable tool. It has certainly improved a lot of my images when shooting egrets and the like. Never tried it in the low light such as that marvellous baboon shot so that's something to keep in mind as I do love rim lighting images.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    27 күн бұрын

    Thanks Dennis. Hope you find something fluffy to photograph in backlight for the perfect rim lit image 🙂 -Danielle

  • @keithmacdonald4805
    @keithmacdonald4805Ай бұрын

    Excellent video, I just found you channel and I have subscribed. I have been using exposure compensation for quite awhile but I really like how you explain how it works. I am looking forward to watching more of your videos, thanks for sharing.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Welcome aboard Keith 🙂. Also happy to hear that you've been using exposure compensation, not many photographers do. Thank you! -Danielle

  • @felixifloresrodriquez3306
    @felixifloresrodriquez3306Ай бұрын

    Your content is always clear, concise, and easy to follow. I have learned quite a few things with your content. Thanks for sharing for your journey and information

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks so much - it's lovely to hear that! -Danielle

  • @frantzmichaud8550
    @frantzmichaud855019 күн бұрын

    I would like to know more about C4 Photo Safari.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    19 күн бұрын

    Hi There. You can visit our website on www.c4photosafaris.com or contact me on my e mail: shem@c4photosafaris.com thanks for your interest!

  • @armandlombard
    @armandlombardАй бұрын

    Thanks Danielle. Very informative 🙏🏻

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks Armand! -Danielle

  • @jacqueslouw7476
    @jacqueslouw7476Ай бұрын

    Great presentational skills and content.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Much appreciated!

  • @allenfutrelle9090
    @allenfutrelle9090Ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video. I will share this with my friends who do not understand it.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    You're welcome. I hope it helps them to improve their photography 🙂 -Danielle

  • @flyrodsofbamboo
    @flyrodsofbambooАй бұрын

    I have always enjoyed your videos. I have tried it and some of my Better images were do to + or - when shooting. More control in camera is a Bonus. Good to see you!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Hi there. Thanks for following my videos here! So happy to hear that. And even happier to read "more control in camera is a bonus" - already makes you a better photographer 🙂. Enjoy! -Danielle

  • @petermaddern6653
    @petermaddern6653Ай бұрын

    Super video, so well explained. Thank you.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks a mil Peter. -Danielle

  • @petervalaris8496
    @petervalaris8496Ай бұрын

    Excellent!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @Andrew-nx5hh
    @Andrew-nx5hhАй бұрын

    Great video. I liked your advice about avoiding the use of spot metering. I will check out your metering video for further explanation. Thank you!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks Andrew. Yes, I'm all for using matrix/evaluative. Enjoy! -Danielle

  • @Idenofmarch33
    @Idenofmarch33Ай бұрын

    Very well explained!

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks very much! -Danielle

  • @jurrydevries4006
    @jurrydevries4006Ай бұрын

    Thanks for a great video. I use exposure compensation quite often, especially when shooting birds in flight with just a little bit of ground visible and a lot of bright skies in the frame. Without compensation, all you would get are near-black birds.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks Jurry. Yes that's the prefect scenario - always surprised how many photographers don't know about it. -Danielle

  • @steveboys5369
    @steveboys5369Ай бұрын

    Very useful thanks ... I've been trying to use spot metering, and if I miss the target ( just off centre ) then its a problem as the exposure is then "off". I then tried centre weighted metering, and this helped quite a bit, but only when the subject was centered in the frame .. I will certainly try this, thanks.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Hi Steve, yes exactly - those are the reasons that I use matrix/evaluative (for wildlife at least). Hope it helps! -Danielle

  • @sarelalberts8890
    @sarelalberts8890Ай бұрын

    Baie mooi verduidelik Baie dankie .

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Dankie Sarel!

  • @JnD90
    @JnD90Ай бұрын

    I love your minimalist style Danielle, do you have a gallery or website of you photos?

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks! Happy to hear I found another minimalist-style photographer 😀. I do update my website from time to time but mostly post on FB and Instagram @dcwildlifephotography. www.dcwildlifephotography.com -Danielle

  • @JnD90

    @JnD90

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you

  • @lengt001
    @lengt001Ай бұрын

    Good explanation. Question: I do shoot manual with auto iso. Does compensatie +/- also effect the amount of iso or should this also been set to a value?

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you. Yes the ISO will be the variable affecting the photo's exposure if you're in Manual with Auto ISO (you will see it going up or down when adjusting the exposure compensation.) Your shutter and aperture will stay fixed. Having said that, if you have set a maximum ISO in your ISO setting menu, then the camera cannot override that and once you reach that maximum ISO, it won't be able to make the photo lighter using the ISO. -Danielle

  • @jiggi2212
    @jiggi2212Ай бұрын

    I have never tried it yet, let me try next trip

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    You'll love it. It takes some getting used to, so practice on contrasty scenes to really notice the effect. Just remember "dark subject, light background - overexpose" (and vice versa). -Danielle

  • @rayg3354
    @rayg3354Ай бұрын

    Can’t you get the same results by changing shutter, aperture or ISO?

  • @miklosnemeth8566

    @miklosnemeth8566

    Ай бұрын

    Yes, but the with the exposure comp dial you make it much faster and error free. You should practice to apply EC. In M mode with auto iso EC simple changes the ISO. EC is brilliant.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Only when you are in full manual mode. If in any other mode, the camera will adjust the setting that it is in control of to keep the meter at zero. For eg if you want to underexpose when you're in Shutter priority, you can go from 1/1000s to 1/2000s but the camera will adjust the aperture to keep the meter at zero. Or in Aperture priority, you can adjust the aperture from f/4 to f/8 but the camera will set a slower shutter speed in order to keep the meter at zero. You can, however, apply exposure compensation in any of these two modes and the camera's chosen exposure will be overridden (by the camera adjusting the variable that it is in control of to get to -2 or +1 etc). I don't suggest using full manual mode for wildlife as things change fast - for eg from light to dark when the eagle flies from the tree into the bright sky. You don't have time to adjust in full manual mode. That's why I use Manual + auto ISO. I am in control of aperture and shutter speed and the ISO is on auto - the ISO will be the changing variable when adjusting to +2, -1 etc. Hope that helps. If you'd like to chat more about it feel free to mail me info@dcwildlifephotography.com in case I miss your reply here. -Danielle

  • @krisztiannagyszeder1095
    @krisztiannagyszeder1095Ай бұрын

    Hi . Im using Sony camera i have little bit using againts bright sky photography birds in flight . Im usning exposure compensation and zebra same time so when use compansation to see the birds the sky became overexposed the zebra telling me . What shall I do ?

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Hello there. If the bird is dark and the sky is bright, you'll have to choose which one you want to have well exposed. In this case, it's the bird, so the sky will almost always show zebras/be overexposed if there is a lot of contrast between bird and sky. The camera doesn't (yet) have enough dynamic range to show details in highlights and shadows so you have to choose. If the bird is also very light it is a difficult situation. In this case - use less exposure compensation, until the bird doesn't show zebras. Then in editing afterwards, bring out the shadows on the bird only. Hope that helps! -Danielle

  • @krisztiannagyszeder1095

    @krisztiannagyszeder1095

    Ай бұрын

    @@C4PhotoSafaris thanks ,so the sky will be overexposed but the bird will be in good exposed.. alright I try next time . :)

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Yes indeed, the sky will almost always be overexposed. Enjoy! -Danielle

  • @dennismurray703

    @dennismurray703

    27 күн бұрын

    I find that zebras are annoying with wildlife shots as they obscure too much of the image. I use highlight alert flashing instead as well as having the histogram live on my viewfinder which work quite well.

  • @stevelamb7090
    @stevelamb7090Ай бұрын

    Technically if you are going to use full manual exposure you should use center weighted or spot metering because matrix or evaluative metering is already trying to compensate to get what it thinks is the correct exposure. 🤔

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    Would the camera not be compensating with spot metering / center too?

  • @stevelamb7090

    @stevelamb7090

    Ай бұрын

    No, it does not compensate for spot or C/W metering . Only you can do that which is the point I am trying to explain. Example, that leopard in the tree. Say you were using matrix metering and added 2 stops of compensation and then the leopard moved changing the lighting just a little, your camera in matrix metering might decide to add half a stop more but you wouldnt know because the matrix metering is compensating not the photographer.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    Ай бұрын

    If the spot metering point falls on the light part of the leopard, the camera compensates by making the whole scene darker. That's compensation to me. But I presume you mean that the composition doesn't affect the exposure in spot metering mode as much as in evaluative? Happy to chat more about it, always good to see things from different angles 🙂

  • @stevelamb7090

    @stevelamb7090

    Ай бұрын

    If you are in manual exposure mode using C/W or spot metering and you move the metering area the exposure would not change. The exposure would only change in in an automated exposure mode not manual.

  • @stevelamb7090

    @stevelamb7090

    Ай бұрын

    Ok only an old timer photography nerd like me would remember this. The Nikon FA was the first camera from any manufacturer to incorporate what was then referred to as multi pattern metering ( Now known as Matrix or evaluative metering) Any way Nikon stated at the time that if you wanted to use exposure compensation you must change to C/W metering for the reason I explained earlier. Infact if you put the Nikon FA into manual metering mode the matrix metering automatically changed to C/W metering only. Anyway thank God for mirrorless and wysiwyg lol.

  • @gbodave5623
    @gbodave56237 күн бұрын

    No explanation as to what happens physically in the camera when positive or negative EC is applied. What has been referred to is the result but to create that result something physical has to happen in the camera. Tell everyone what that is.

  • @C4PhotoSafaris

    @C4PhotoSafaris

    3 күн бұрын

    Hello. You're welcome to watch again at 2.21. -Danielle

  • @gbodave5623

    @gbodave5623

    19 сағат бұрын

    @@C4PhotoSafaris At 2.21 there is an explanation about how semi auto modes work before any exposure compensation is applied. Around 6.15 the conversation moves on to include the use of EC but when the EC button or dial is pressed/rotated there is no explanation as to how this "exposure override" is delivered by the camera.