Exterior Architectural Photos: DO I NEED A LIGHT METER?

[MMeticulous]

Hello Everyone!

Quick question: Do I need a light meter for shooting good exterior architectural photos? I'm using a Canon 50D, with an EFS 17-55mm lens.

Is a light meter advantageous? If so, what kind would you recommend? I know nothing about them. Does it take a lot of time to learn to use one properly?

Thanks for the feedback!

:mrgreen: Jeff

 

[Village Idiot]

No, you have one already.

For what you're doing, unless you're using flashes, a light meter would not help out a lot. You camera has an evaluative light meter that will give you a reading for the over all scene to expose it properly. That's about the same thing you'd be doing with a light meter.

Now, if you start using strobes, then yes, a light meter can help you out.

 

[robertwsimpson]

put your camera on "spot metering" and point it at different areas in the frame and meter. This will tell you how different areas in your photo will expose. Try and keep everything +-2 for best results if you can.