We’ve all had the misfortune of nailing composition only to get a photo that’s too bright or way to dark. Despite what you may have been told, it’s not necessary to rotate your camera’s mode dial to M in order to avoid these exposure problems.

In the next six minutes you’ll learn how to use in-camera Exposure (EV) Compensation—a technique that one of our favorite instructors insists is the easiest way to take control of highlights and shadows in any scene.

Instructor Anthony Crothers is a British pro who regularly shares his shooting secrets, camera- settings advice, and artistic vision for creative imagery. He kicks off today’s episode like this: “Whether you shoot in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or even Auto, EV Compensation lets you adjust exposure with precision without guessing or digging into complex settings.”

Crothers provides a quick overview of the concept, explains when you should use it, and demonstrates the simple steps required. He also reveals a quick-and-easy EV Compensation test that you can use before capturing a shot.  

Here’s the root of the problem and the first thing Crothers wants you to understand: A camera’s meter is calibrated to deliver photos with an average value of 18% gray—whether you’re shooting a snow-covered landscape or a portrait of your black dog. But many scenes are far from “average.”

So here’s the deal: EV Compensation is the solution for capturing images with white whites, black blacks, and everything in between. This simple setting is useful for nailing exposure in trickly conditions, like snow, sunsets, backlit portraits, and with subjects that are predominately bright or unusually dark.

The technique can be used with mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and even compact camera when shooting in Program mode. Once you understand the real reason your camera is getting things wrong, the fix is almost instantaneous.

There’s much more to learn on Crothers’ informative YouTube channel, so take a close look when you have time to explore.

And don’t miss the tutorial we featured earlier with an accomplished German pro who demonstrates how to master manual focus and capture sharp, professional-looking photographs—even in tricky lighting conditions.

Today’s tutorial from the Flying Parrot Photography YouTube channel reveals six common shooting mistakes that will compromise the images you capture of our feathered friends, whether you’re shooting at a local park, nearby nature reserve, or in the comfort of your backyard.

The seven minute episode is sort of a mea culpa as instructor Sonia admits to being guilty of these errors when first starting out. She now has years of experience as a “bird chaser” and the simple tips she explores are designed to help you find art in nature while boosting confidence and shortening your learning curve.

Her first misconception was thing that “I had to speed things up because birds move fast, But that’s wrong.” As she explains, it’s important not to rush because great images require patience and thoughtful timing. So take time choosing the appropriate camera settings, composing your scene, and anticipating the peak moment of action.

Mistake #2 is capturing a nice shot and immediately moving on to a different spot. The idea is to “wait a bit longer in case there’s another opportunity to capture a shot from the same vantage point that take things to the next level.” This approach is especially true when you have a cooperative subject that doesn’t seem to be bothered by your presence.

Sonia also recommends revisiting familiar spots, instead of always seeking new locations. Here she explains how “returning to the same places and birds may seem a bit repetitive but it brings valuable insights about behavior, light, backgrounds, and the best camera positions at different times of day.” You may even want to keep a log of these important considerations.

Another common misconception is that awaking early and shooting at dawn is the only way to capture spectacular photos. In fact some insects that birds favor for a meal don’t start moving around until the temperature rises later in the day. In short, while it’s preferable to shoot in ideal light, you’re wasting your time if the birds are inactive

At this point you’ve reached the midpoint of this very helpful lesson, and Sonia discusses three more mistakes and their solutions as the video proceeds. Be sure to visit the Flying Parrot Photography YouTube channel where there are many more tips and techniques for improving your photography skills.

And on a related note, check out the related tutorial we featured earlier with another successful wildlife photographer and instructor who explains how to manipulate depth of field to accentuate the key subject in your frame.

A total of $7000 in cash prizes is being awarded. But hurry – the competition closes on June 30th. You can submit one photo per day until the contest ends, so get on the stick.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their AI-powered photo-management software, Excire is sponsoring People in Focus, a free-to-enter contest for people of all skill levels. The contest started June 1, 2025 and runs through June 30th. A total of $7000 in cash prizes is being awarded. That’s a serious purse, but what makes People in Focus unique and a lot more fun is the umpiring. The competition is being judged entirely by artificial intelligence.

AI Trained by Expert Photographers
Excire’s in-house AI model has been trained by expert photographers to evaluate each image based on aesthetic characteristics. This allows for instant scoring, as well as a live leaderboard that updates in real-time.

Snap Judgement
Excire has explained that they are definitely not proposing that AI can replace subjective human taste. Their stated goal is to generate discussion around photography and AI, and have some fun at the same time. They pointed out that Excire AI has already been used to judge several international photography competitions. Additionally, Excire has conducted AI-judged contests of their own, but on a smaller scale.

People in Focus
Visit Excire’s contest website for official rules and complete information. Here are some of the highlights.

There is no cost or obligation to enter. Note that you must be 18 or older to participate. Some entries may be shared on Excire’s social media. Add your own © copyright indicia if you must. I would, if I were you.

First Prize: $4000 (USD)
Second Prize: $2000 (USD)
Third Prize: $1000 (USD)

To enter, visit: www.competition.excire.com.

All judging is done instantly, and you receive your current competition ranking the moment you submit an image. You can submit one photo per day until the contest ends on June 30, 2025.

When you submit your first image to the competition, you’ll receive a special 20% off discount code that can be used on all Excire products (valid through June 30th). There’s no obligation, however.

Excire encourages users to “not think too narrowly” when selecting their best shots to enter. Excire pointed out that eligible subjects include (but  limited to) headshots, studio portraits, travel and environmental portraits, street candids, people-focused event photos, and wider scenes that feature people as a dominant element.

Want to Become a Better Photographer?
Begin by taking more pictures. Carry a camera everywhere you go and shoot even when you’re 110% sure the picture won’t turn out. Review all of your images with a critical eye and share them with others – and that includes posting the best on our Gallery. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter (see sign-up form on our homepage) and bookmark Shutterbug as a Favorite on your browser. We’re in this for the same reason as you – we love photography, and we’re learning more about it every day.

∞ Shutterbug Staff