How to Use Exposure Compensation: Making the Brightness of the Image Match the Shooting Intent

What Exposure Compensation Changes

Exposure compensation is used to increase or decrease the exposure relative to the camera’s suggested value, making the image brighter or darker. The Nikon D500 manual uses the P, S, and A modes as examples: the camera automatically adjusts the exposure, but its choice may not match the effect you want to achieve; you can review the photo and adjust in the positive or negative direction according to your intent. For other cameras, check the corresponding manual for available modes and control methods. [G-EC-01, G-EC-02]

How to Check Bright Snow Scenes

In bright snowy scenes, if the snow looks a bit gray or not bright enough upon review, you can try positive exposure compensation and then check whether highlights still retain detail. Nikon USA recommends starting with small adjustments and continuing to correct based on the preview; different lighting conditions, metering modes, and desired image effects mean there is no universal fixed EV prescription. [G-EC-03]

Don’t Treat “Increase Whites, Decrease Blacks” as a Fixed Table

“Increase whites, decrease blacks” can serve as a reminder to check metering results: first see whether the photo the camera produces matches the tonal values you want to preserve, then decide whether to adjust. It cannot replace reviewing the image, nor can it derive a fixed compensation value. Camera model, metering mode, exposure mode, background ratio, and shooting intent all affect the result.

Check Camera Mode Before Operation

The dial, button, adjustable range of exposure compensation, and its function in M mode or with automatic ISO vary by camera model. The control examples in this text only refer to the Nikon D500 in P/S/A modes; when operating other models, please confirm using the corresponding user manual.