Camera Metering Modes, High-Key vs Low-Key Photography, Beyond the Kit Lens & More!

Mar 29, 2026, 4:03 PM•bhphotovideo

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Every facet of photography is about controlling light, from the amount that enters our camera via the aperture of a lens to the duration of our exposure set by shutter speed. But how does the camera measure the light in a scene to set these automatically?

High-Key and Low-Key Photography

There are times when an image demands a shift towards one end of the spectrum, balance less important. These photos flirt with underexposure or overexposure, where shadows or highlights are prominent, and contrast is low. The look is referred to as high-key and low-key photography. Let's learn more.

Why You Should Go Beyond the Kit Lens

Many DSLR or mirrorless cameras are sold today with what we call "kit" lenses. Current kit lenses, in general, are more capable and of higher quality than those of yesteryear. However, many of us feel the gravitational pull of other lenses, be they primes or fast zooms.

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