Explain the concept of exposure compensation and when a photographer might apply it in a commercial shoot.

• A. Exposure compensation adjusts the meter’s result to make the image brighter or darker; used when the scene’s brightness is misleading the meter (e.g., bright whites or dark subjects) to preserve detail.
• B. Exposure compensation changes white balance.
• C. Exposure compensation adjusts the shutter speed only.
• D. Exposure compensation doubles the ISO.

Answer: (A)

Exposure compensation biases the camera’s meter readout to make the final image brighter or darker. It’s used when the scene’s brightness would mislead the meter—such as when you’re dealing with very bright whites or very dark subjects—so you can preserve detail and achieve the look you want. In a commercial shoot, you might apply it to keep a white product from looking gray or to bring out texture in shadows under controlled lighting. It doesn’t change white balance, nor does it directly alter shutter speed or ISO; it simply adjusts the exposure value the camera uses in auto exposure modes to match your intent.