Setting exposure from side of composition

[Devon8822]

So I often read about setting the exposure from the sky or water or some other part of the composition from the center. I am also aware there are different types of exposure meters, but what I am wondering is how do you set you exposure from say the corner of you composition (lets say its the sky). You could simply press down the shutter button halfway to get an auto exposure setting and than re-compose the photo, but wouldn't that also auto focus on the corner of the picture... which is not something I would want. What If I want to meter the exposure form one side of the photo and focus on the other side. How would I do this without going full manual? I use a T3i.

 

[ronlane]

See page 107 of your user manual.

 

[ph0enix]

The whole point here is to go full manual.

 

[milinda]

Do you have a lens which is compatible with auto and manual focus together. If so you can use auto focus by pressing halfway and then while holding the half way presses to use the manual override of the focus to focus on the subject you want. If you don't have such lens then going for full manual would be the option.

 

[SCraig]

Use continuous servo autofocus which will constantly refocus as needed. Or lock the exposure where you want it to be and then focus normally.

Sorry, I shoot with a Nikon and don't know how to tell you to do that with a Canon. The information will be in your owner's manual though.

 

[enzodm]

"back button focus"

 

[christop]

"back button focus"

^ This.

My thumb rests right on or near the focus button on my Canon 10D, so it makes focusing just as easy as half-pressing the shutter button, but it adds flexibility by separating focusing from metering.

 

[Patrice]

There are ways to do that without 'going full manual'.

Exposure lock is an accepted method in good standing with a lot of photographers.

 

[ronlane]

There are ways to do that without 'going full manual'.

Exposure lock is an accepted method in good standing with a lot of photographers.

Page 107 of the T3i users manual.

 

[kateean2]

See page 107 of your user manual.

 

[Patrice]

Anybody else want to chime in with page 107?

 

[Ysarex87 81]

There are ways to do that without 'going full manual'.

Exposure lock is an accepted method in good standing with a lot of photographers.

Yep, I do it all the time -- just push the AEL button, recompose, focus and click.

Joe

 

[table1349]

Anybody else want to chime in with page 107?

Sure R.T. F. M. Especially page 107!

Happy now?

 

[Patrice]

Anybody else want to chime in with page 107?

Sure R.T. F. M. Especially page 107!

Happy now?

Absolutely,

Would not want the op to miss the advice of looking up page 107!

 

[thetrue]

Anybody else want to chime in with page 107?

Sure R.T. F. M. Especially page 107!

Happy now?

Absolutely,

Would not want the op to miss the advice of looking up page 107!

I missed it, what page is it on?