36Basic PhotographyTo cancel exposure compensation, choose a value of ±0. In andmodes, exposure compensation will be reset to ±0 when the camera isturned off or the mode dial is turned to another setting.Exposure CompensationTo obtain the desired results with certain compositions (for example, whenlarge areas of the frame are very bright, very dark, or contain areas of highcontrast), it may be necessary to alter exposure from the value suggested bythe camera. This can be done using exposure compensation.Exposure compensation can be set to values between –2.0 EV (underexpo-sure) and +2.0 EV (overexposure) in increments of 1 3 EV. To choose a value forexposure compensation, press the button and rotate the command dial:Compensation displayed in moni-tor at values other than ±0. Checkimage in monitor before shoot-ing.Choosing a Value for Exposure CompensationAs a rule of thumb, select positive values when large areas of the frame are very bright-ly lit (for example, when photographing an expanse of sunlit water, sand, or snow)or when the background is much brighter than the main subject. Choose negativevalues when large areas of the frame are very dark (for example, when photographinga forest of dark green leaves) or when the background is much darker than the mainsubject. This is because the camera, in order to avoid extreme under- or over-exposure,tends to lower exposure when the frame is very bright and raise exposure when theframe is very dark, which can make naturally bright subjects look dim and naturallydark subjects appear over-bright, or “washed out.”
