The Ultimate Guide to Canon EOS 60D: How to Change Exposure and Take Stunning Photos Like a Pro

The Canon EOS 60D is a versatile camera that offers a wide range of controls, including the ability to adjust exposure. Understanding how to change exposure on your Canon EOS 60D is crucial for capturing well-lit and balanced photographs. This guide will walk you through the different methods of adjusting exposure on your camera, helping you achieve the perfect light for your images.

The Exposure Triangle: A Foundation for Understanding

Before diving into the specifics of exposure control on the Canon EOS 60D, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental concept of the exposure triangle. This triangle comprises three key elements:

• Aperture: Controls the size of the lens opening, influencing the depth of field (the area in focus). A wider aperture (smaller f-number) allows more light in, resulting in a shallower depth of field, while a narrower aperture (larger f-number) lets in less light and creates a greater depth of field.
• Shutter Speed: Determines the duration of time the camera’s shutter remains open, allowing light to reach the sensor. A faster shutter speed freezes motion, while a slower shutter speed allows for motion blur.
• ISO: Represents the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light. A higher ISO setting increases sensitivity, allowing you to shoot in low-light conditions, but it also introduces more noise (grain) in the image.

These three elements work in conjunction to create the correct exposure for your photograph. By adjusting one or more of these elements, you can control the amount of light entering the camera and ultimately influence the brightness of your image.

Understanding Exposure Modes on the Canon EOS 60D

The Canon EOS 60D offers a variety of exposure modes, each designed to cater to different shooting scenarios and preferences.

• Program Mode (P): This mode allows the camera to automatically select both aperture and shutter speed while allowing you to adjust the overall exposure compensation.
• Shutter-Priority Mode (Tv or S): This mode lets you set the shutter speed manually, while the camera automatically chooses the appropriate aperture for proper exposure.
• Aperture-Priority Mode (Av or A): In this mode, you set the aperture manually, and the camera selects the shutter speed to achieve the desired exposure.
• Manual Mode (M): This mode gives you complete control over both aperture and shutter speed, allowing you to make all exposure adjustments manually.
• Automatic Mode (Full Auto): This mode leaves all exposure settings to the camera’s automatic system.

How to Change Exposure on the Canon EOS 60D: Manual Adjustment

The most direct way to change exposure on the Canon EOS 60D is by using the exposure compensation dial. This dial is located on the top of the camera, near the shutter button.

• To adjust exposure compensation, rotate the dial to the left (negative) to decrease the exposure and make the image darker, or rotate it to the right (positive) to increase the exposure and make the image brighter.
• The exposure compensation scale is typically displayed in the viewfinder or on the camera’s LCD screen, indicating the amount of adjustment you’ve made.

Using the Exposure Lock Feature

The Canon EOS 60D also includes an exposure lock feature, allowing you to lock the exposure at a specific point in the scene. This is useful when shooting in high-contrast situations where the camera’s automatic exposure system might struggle to determine the correct exposure.

• To use the exposure lock, half-press the shutter button and hold the button down.
• While holding the shutter button, press the AE-L/AF-L button on the back of the camera. You’ll hear a beep, indicating that the exposure is locked.
• Release the shutter button, and you can recompose your shot without affecting the exposure.

The Importance of Histogram and Exposure Warnings

To ensure you’re capturing well-exposed images, it’s important to pay attention to the histogram and exposure warnings.

• Histogram: The histogram is a graph that displays the distribution of tones in your image. A well-exposed image will have a histogram that is balanced, with peaks in the mid-tones and gradual slopes towards the highlights and shadows.
• Exposure Warnings: The Canon EOS 60D provides visual warnings on the LCD screen to alert you if the image is overexposed (blinking highlights) or underexposed (blinking shadows). These warnings can help you adjust your exposure settings to prevent clipping (losing detail in the highlights or shadows).

Utilizing the Live View Feature for Precise Exposure Control

The Canon EOS 60D’s Live View feature offers a real-time preview of the scene on the LCD screen, allowing you to fine-tune your exposure settings more accurately.

• Live View Exposure Metering: In Live View mode, the camera provides a live exposure meter, which shows you the current exposure level as you adjust the aperture, shutter speed, or ISO.
• Zebra Pattern: The Canon EOS 60D also includes a Zebra pattern feature in Live View mode. This feature overlays a pattern of zebra stripes on the LCD screen, highlighting areas of the image that are overexposed.

Mastering Exposure for Creative Effects

While proper exposure is essential for capturing realistic and balanced images, you can also manipulate exposure to create specific artistic effects.

• Underexposure: Underexposing an image can create a darker, more dramatic look, often used in photography styles like film noir.
• Overexposure: Overexposing an image can create a brighter, more ethereal look, often used in high-key photography or to emphasize certain elements in the scene.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR): Combining multiple exposures taken at different exposure levels can create a high dynamic range image that captures detail in both the highlights and shadows, enhancing the overall contrast and vibrancy of the photo.

The Bottom Line: Embracing the Light

Learning how to change exposure on your Canon EOS 60D is a fundamental skill for any photographer. By understanding the exposure triangle, utilizing the various exposure modes, and mastering the tools provided by your camera, you’ll gain the confidence to capture beautifully exposed images that accurately represent the light and beauty of your chosen subjects.

Information You Need to Know

Q: What is the best exposure mode for beginners?
A: For beginners, Aperture-Priority mode (Av or A) is often recommended. This mode allows you to control the aperture, which affects the depth of field, while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed for proper exposure.
Q: How do I know if my image is overexposed or underexposed?
A: You can use the histogram and exposure warnings to determine if your image is overexposed or underexposed. A histogram with a peak on the right side indicates overexposure, while a histogram with a peak on the left side indicates underexposure. The camera will also provide visual warnings on the LCD screen, such as blinking highlights (overexposure) or blinking shadows (underexposure).
Q: What is the difference between exposure compensation and exposure lock?
A: Exposure compensation allows you to adjust the overall exposure of your image, while exposure lock allows you to lock the exposure at a specific point in the scene. Exposure compensation is used to make general adjustments to the exposure, while exposure lock is used to maintain a specific exposure level in a particular area of the image.
Q: Can I change the exposure settings while using the Live View feature?
A: Yes, you can adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings while using the Live View feature. The camera will provide a real-time preview of the exposure changes on the LCD screen.
Q: How can I improve my exposure control skills?
A: The best way to improve your exposure control skills is to practice regularly. Experiment with different exposure settings in various lighting conditions, and pay attention to the histogram and exposure warnings. You can also study photography books and online resources to learn more about exposure techniques.