Dark Duck

http://img221.exs.cx/img221/9905/darkduck7cq.th.jpg (http://img221.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img221&image=darkduck7cq.jpg)

Underexposed. Your meter determined a scene based on the abundance of neutral blue, leaving your duck underexposed. Zoom in on the duck and meter off him, or increase your exposure when you know the background is lighter than the smaller subject.

I will try that next time I am in this situation. I used matrix metering. should I have used spot metering? thanks

Even using matrix metering --- add exposure. Light meters are basically STUPID. It only reads what you point it at and it doesn't know what you're shooting. You have to take control and create the photograph. If you're shooting a scene on a ski slope and your meter says f/8 at 1/125, add 1.5 stops. If you're taking a picture of a black cat in the shadows and the meter says one thing, reduce the exposure. Remember, your meter wants to return a 18% reflectance regardless of what you're shooting. It doesn't know if you're shooting a lump of coal or a person's face or a white duck.

Thanks carl, I will have to right this suff down and keep it in my camera bag. Good info.

Carl gives great info about metering and exposure. Between him and some others here, I have finally figured out how to meter. It make a world of difference if you know what to meter off to get a good photo!!!!

In addition; many things in our enviroment are near neutral grey. If it's hard to meter off the subject you can find a neutral object that has the same light reflecting onto it and meter off that. Like a log nearby or tree, maybe the water if dark enough?? However, in these cases....BRACKET!!