Your camera’s light metering system is one of the most important tools in photography, yet some shooters fail to understand how it works. So if your images often appear too bright or unnaturally dark, this tutorial from the Hamed Photography YouTube channel is just what you need to solve this frustrating dilemma.

Hamed’s easy-to-follow how-to videos are designed to help elevate your skills and master camera settings and techniques, while delving into the world of visual storytelling. In this nine-minute episode he breaks down exactly how a camera’s metering system works, the appropriate application for various modes, and how the correct option will help you get the light right under various conditions.

Here’s how Hamed summarizes today’s essential lesson: “In this in-depth guide you’ll learn about the different metering mode—Matrix (Evaluative) metering, Center-Weighted Metering, and Spot Metering. And whether you shoot with Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Fujifilm, the camera’s metering system works on the same basic principles.”

As you’ll see, not all metering modes are created equal, and making an incorrect choice can result in images that are either overexposed, underexposed, or just flat and uninspiring. Hamed’s guide covers techniques for portraiture, nature and landscape photography, and shooting on the street.

If you’re one of those photographers who mainly concentrate on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, it’s time to throw metering modes into the mix and learn how each option calculates exposure to provide the foundation for a perfect shot—rather than relying upon guesswork.

Bottom line: this understanding will enable you to shoot faster, shoot smarter, and develop more creative control over your images. Or as Hamed says, “it separates casual shooters from professionals.” Along the way he also demonstrates how to use a camera’s exposure compensation feature to fine-tune your metering results.

Be sure to visit the Hamed Photography YouTube channel where you’ll find many more how-to videos for beginners and experienced shooters alike.

We also suggest watching the tutorial we featured with another adept pro who demonstrates a minimalist approach to monochrome photography that utilizes restraint, tone, structure, and subtle lighting techniques to capture awe-inspiring b&w images that convey emotion.