Why do I need a light meter, you ask?

“Why use an external light meter?” This a question/debate that still lingers in photographic forums and bulletin boards. There are good points that exist on both sides of the debate. So, what I want to do is just tell you where I come down in the discussion.

I think that the use of a light meter benefits experienced pros as well as beginners. First off, let’s discuss how an inexperienced photographer can benefit from using a handheld light meter. A lot of beginners haven’t yet learned to see light in terms of f-stops. F-stops are basically the way we measure light in order to calculate the correct exposure of images. Learning to see light in those terms takes time and practice. With a handheld meter, it is easy to look a scene and measure the exposure for the highlights and shadows. You can learn to see light in terms of f-stops. Playing with and using a light meter allows you quantify light.

In the studio, this ability to quantify light, means you can recreate lighting schemes consistently. You don’t have to shoot a frame, look at the outcome, adjust a light, shoot another frame, look at the outcome, adjust a light, etc.

On location, it is also helpful to use a meter. Again, it allows you get the lighting right without wasting time making a lot of adjustments.

Many light meters will show you the percentage of light that comes from the strobes versus ambient light. This can be very handy in using strobes to subtly light your subject to maximize the impact from the ambient light.

So if you currently not using a handheld meter, consider getting one. It may help your lighting techniques and give you a better awareness of the light around you.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

-Ken