I Don't Know How To Meter! Please HELP.

I was reading about metering (at this link: http://www.photography​.ca/phototips/meter.ht​ml) and how to do it .

From reading that, I don't understand. If I am about to shoot a portrait of a posed subject, they are telling me to first fill my frame with a grey card, focus on it and "use that reading". Use what reading ? It makes me think they are saying this "reading" if you will, is stored somewhere or shows on the camera somewhere since they said "dial that reading into the camera".

Looking through the viewfinder inside the camera, I usually rotate the command dial until that +/- meter in the camera is at 0 (zero)...right in the middle. Is this the meter they mean ?

If so, that loses me. Cause if I fill the frame with some grey card and dial that meter to 0 (zero).....then when I move back to my subject, I'd have to focus on them and change that +/- all over wouldn't I ?


Please explain for me please. Is there a link that's better than the one in this message for explaining "EXACTLY" how to do this ?

Thanks

Yes, this is what they mean. The meter in your camera will show in the viewfinder and on the lcd. Fill the viewfinder with the grey card in the lighting that you will use for your shots. Once you have these settings make sure you are in manual mode and adjust your aperture and shutter speed accordingly. Then recompose your shot and fire away. Try ot out and see how it works.

Haven't read the link you posted, but glancing at it I think if you set the camera to 'M' manual you'll be able to follow those tips. Of course you didn't mention what kind/model of camera you have it might not have a manual mode. That way your metering and focus are handled separately. On most models of Canon DSLR's you can also set the focus to the * button so that moves that off the shutter release also.

I know that I'm not telling you exactly how to do this, it's just a nuge in the right direction.

quote If so, that loses me. Cause if I fill the frame with some grey card and dial that meter to 0 (zero).....then when I move back to my subject, I'd have to focus on them and change that +/- all over wouldn't I ?
lets say you have your camera on auto and you take a portrait shot and the reading in the camera is say 1/350sec at f8 if this shot is ok with good skin tones fine - then if you put your camera on MANUAL and set 1/350 sec at f8 then all the shots you take will be the same exsposure as long as the light doesen't change
so why would you want to do this ?
well lest say your model is wearing a mid green dress when you took the first ok shot, if she changed into a black or white dress auto would ajust the exsposure far to much but if your on manul it will stay the same and still give the good skin tones .
this is just a guide as you understand more you will make minor ajustments.
hope this helps.
Rob.

If you fill the frame with a grey card at the position of the subject (or, for that matter, switch to partial mode and fill the partial circle), then this is a sort of incident metering. You can get the 'needle' of the meter to 0, and you don't need to worry about what sort of compensation you should apply depending on the subject tonality.

Another way ahead is to use a handheld light meter in incident mode.

David

To make anything look gray - set it to zero
To make it look white - set it to plus 2
To make it black - set it to minus 2

There are some shades of gray in the middle.