Correct exposure

[CassieD]

Hello. I am new to shooting in manual mode. I have been trying to get my exposure indicator to work. When it says it is in optimal exposure my pictures are very bright. Is there something else I should be doing? Also what does it mean when there is a flashing question mark on the bottom of my screen? I have a Nikon d32o0. Thank you.

 

[photo1x1.com]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I´m not a nikon shooter. However, could it be possible that you have either spot metering turned on, or incidentally dialled in exposure compensation?

 

[dxqcanada1]

There is more to it than just lining up the dots (or arrows) ... you have to understand what your camera light meter is telling you, and why it is not always best just to follow the crumbs.
There should be a post/doc somewhere on this forum about this topic ... you're not the first to bring this up.

 

[dennybeall]

Two possibilities - first is that you are using the spot meter and lining it up on a dark area. Secondly you could have exposure compensation turned up.

 

[Delfuego]

Check out this link, it might help:

 

[trinidadgonzalezsardi]

Maybe you have the compensation number too high? You have to press the button with the +/- and the number should be at 0