Exercise - Measuring exposure

Th object of the exercise is to make the same photograph at the same aperture but to adjust the shutter speed to vary the exposure and note the effect on the image. The adjustments have been made to make one exposure correctly (to camera meter) and two over and two under exposures. 

f4, 1/45 sec - one stop over

Quite a useable shot, but there is little contrast and the colours are washed out. The white stone is close to blowing out however.

f4, 1/60 sec - half stop over 

Now this is better, still a little washed out but good shadow and highlight detail.

f4, 1/90 sec - correct to camera

Now the shadows are starting to get a little underexposed. From this shot I find that this camera likes to underexpose a little (perhaps 1/3 stop). One advantage is the colour, of the flowers is more saturated and thats pleasing.

f4, 1/125 - half stop under

Useable, but not great great colour to the flowers but the shadows are too dark and the pot in particular is beginning to be lost in the shot.

f4, 1/180 sec - full stop under

Now the effect of the camera underexposing begins to cause a problem. One stop under would often be useable but here its way too dark. Lots of detail loss. 

Overall I would pick the shot that is half a stop over exposed. Ideally I would select a third stop over as a compromise and expect to see a spot on exposure with detail in the shadows without washing out the colours.