Why does using EV make my pictures so much better?

[spidey07]

Been doing a lot of macro pictures of bugs/flowers, etc. I normally just use aperture priority (2.7) and let the camera pick ISO, white balance and speed. This camera (sony H50) brackets +/- 0.3 EV.

Without fail the last pic in the group of 3 (+.3, 0, -.3 EV) meaning -.3 EV has tons more color. Much more accurate, natural and really rich/deep color.

Why is this? Thanks in advance.

 

[randomlinh]

quite possible the camera is overexposing? or just maybe it's your taste in pictures? can you post samples?

 

[spidey07]

Here's some examples listed in order from +.3, 0, -.3. Pay no mind to focus as i'm trying to get used to the new camera and some of the best examples I accidentally just deleted off the camera.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/spidey07/hornworm-ev1.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/spidey07/hornwom-ev2.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/spidey07/hornworm-ev3.JPG

With each picture it gets more and more natural in terms of color.

 

[GrJohnso]

I would agree that the -3 exposure looks best. Sometimes cameras & or lenses just have different exposure tendencies with different subjects. As you get used to them, you'll figure out where you need to override the auto settings.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
quite possible the camera is overexposing? or just maybe it's your taste in pictures? can you post samples?

You are most likely correct, and keep in mind I have just barely enough knowledge to know how to take the pictures that I want. Barely.

This camera allows me to adjust metering and the area it is doing the metering on. I guess my main question is why does the -.3 EV turn out with better color and not "washed out"?

 

[randomlinh]

the EV setting is just telling the camera to over/under expose by 1/3 stop in your case... so give it more/less light. So the more light you have, the more washed out it will look relative to the underexposed image. I'm not sure if that really helps your question, heh. I'd say the normal exposed one is the best, and maybe some post processing. The last one is just too dark.

 

[Leros]

planting some marigolds in the area will make those hookworms go away

 

[Zenmervolt]

In that particular image, I think that the highlight on the leaf above the hookworm is throwing off the metering slightly, which is why the -0.3 EV compensation is helping. That said, I tend to prefer photos that others call "underexposed", so the fact that I prefer the -0.3 EV image is no surprise.

ZV

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
the EV setting is just telling the camera to over/under expose by 1/3 stop in your case... so give it more/less light. So the more light you have, the more washed out it will look relative to the underexposed image. I'm not sure if that really helps your question, heh. I'd say the normal exposed one is the best, and maybe some post processing. The last one is just too dark.

Thanks, makes sense.

Probably just need to read up some more on all the different metering modes or just go to full manual exposure.