What are some tips and tricks for using spot metering for portraits with backlit or reflective backgrounds?

2 Adjust your exposure compensation

The second step to using spot metering mode for portraits is to adjust your exposure compensation if needed. Exposure compensation is a feature that allows you to increase or decrease the brightness of your image by changing the aperture, shutter speed, or ISO. Sometimes, spot metering mode can give you a good exposure, but other times, you might want to tweak it a bit. For example, if you are shooting a backlit portrait, you might want to increase the exposure compensation to make your subject brighter and avoid a silhouette. On the other hand, if you are shooting a portrait with a reflective background, you might want to decrease the exposure compensation to avoid blowing out the highlights.

3 Check your histogram and highlights

The third step to using spot metering mode for portraits is to check your histogram and highlights on your camera screen. The histogram is a graph that shows the distribution of tones in your image, from dark to light. The highlights are the areas that are too bright and have no detail. You want to make sure that your histogram is balanced and that your highlights are not clipped. If your histogram is skewed to the left or the right, or if your highlights are blinking, you might need to adjust your exposure compensation again.

4 Use a reflector or a flash

The fourth step to using spot metering mode for portraits is to use a reflector or a flash if you want to improve the lighting on your subject. A reflector is a device that bounces light from the main source, such as the sun or a window, onto your subject. A flash is a device that emits a burst of light to illuminate your subject. Both can help you fill in the shadows, create contrast, and enhance the colors of your portrait. You can use a reflector or a flash as a main light or as a fill light, depending on the effect you want to achieve.

5 Experiment with different backgrounds

The fifth step to using spot metering mode for portraits is to experiment with different backgrounds and see how they affect your exposure and your mood. Different backgrounds can create different challenges and opportunities for your portrait photography. For example, a backlit background can create a dramatic or romantic effect, but it can also make your subject too dark or too flat. A reflective background can create a shiny or glamorous effect, but it can also make your subject too bright or too harsh. You can try different angles, distances, and compositions to find the best background for your portrait.

6 Review and edit your images

The last step to using spot metering mode for portraits is to review and edit your images on your computer or your phone. Reviewing and editing your images can help you fine-tune your exposure, contrast, colors, and sharpness. You can also crop, rotate, or straighten your images to improve your composition. You can use different software or apps to edit your images, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Snapseed, or VSCO. Editing your images can help you enhance your vision and style as a portrait photographer.