Which metering mode is used to preserve detail in a small area, such as a face?

• A. Spot metering
• B. Evaluative metering
• C. Center-weighted metering
• D. Matrix metering

Answer: (A)

Spot metering measures exposure from a tiny part of the frame, usually a small area like a face, and uses that reading to set the overall exposure. This precise sampling lets you preserve detail in that specific area, even when the rest of the scene is much brighter or darker. In portrait work, you can point the metering spot at the face and lock exposure, ensuring skin tones stay detailed while background brightness won’t drag the exposure away from the subject. Other metering modes assess larger portions of the image or the entire frame, which can cause the face to be under- or overexposed to balance the whole scene. Spot metering gives focused control to keep the important small area correctly exposed.