Prior to attempting to take a photographic picture, a light reading is required to determine the position that the exposure of the camera should be in. A light reading can be determined in several ways, which are listed below:

General reading
A general light reading involves pointing the light meter in the direction of the subject that you wish to photograph. The general reading system works well if neither predominantly light, nor predominantly dark areas surround the subject of the picture. However, if there are predominantly light, or dark areas around the subject, the general reading system will be inaccurate.

Average reading
An average reading is achieved by taking a light reading of both the lightest area of the photograph and the darkest area of the photograph. The two results are then added together and divided to find the average reading.

For example, if the light reading for the lightest area is f16 at 1/60 and the light reading for the darkest area is f4 at 1/60, then the average light reading becomes f8 at 1/60. Although this system is often accurate, it does not always guarantee a good result.

Compensation reading
The compensation reading is considered one of the most accurate systems for determining the correct exposure setting of a camera. To take a compensative reading, you need to take a light reading from the darkest point within the picture area. Once you have this reading, you then compensate, by decreasing the reading by two stops.

For example, if your light reading at the darkest point within your picture area were f2.8 at 1/60, then you would adjust this reading by 2 stops to f5.6 at 1/60. The compensation system allows the minimum proper density in the dark areas, while ensuring that there will also be adequate amounts of detail.

Grey card reading
The grey card system is another way to determine the average light exposure within in subject area. The grey card is placed at the front of the subject that is to be photographed and positioned to face the direction of the camera. A light reading is then taken from the grey card only.

Bracket reading
Bracket reading involves taking an initial light reading, which may have been determined using a general reading, average reading, compensate reading, or grey card reading, then taking photographs using the exposure settings on either side of the original reading.

For example, if the initial light reading from a general reading was f8 at 1/60 then a photograph is taken at f8 at 1/60, yet also taken at f11 at 1/60 (underexposed) and f5.6 at 1/60 (overexposed). Having three photographs of the same subject at different light exposures ensures that one should at least be a good exposure.

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