Example of a compensation to plus
For very bright subjects, e.g. snow or a beach, the
exposure meter will give a relatively short expo-
sure time due to the high level of brightness. This
reproduces the snow as a mid-grey and any peo-
ple in the scene are too dark: this is under-expo-
sure! To remedy this, the exposure time must be
extended or the aperture opened, i.e. with a set-
ting of e.g. +1.5.
Example of a compensation to minus
For very dark subjects, which do not reflect much
light, the exposure meter will give an exposure
time that is too long. A black car will turn grey: this
is over-exposure! The exposure time must be
shortened, i.e. with a setting of e.g. –1.
83