If you’ve ever felt intimidated by using a light meter on location, you’re not alone. Many photographers hear “light meter” and think it’s a complicated or outdated tool. But in reality, it’s one of the best ways to take control of your lighting—whether you’re working with natural light or flash.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how to use a light meter on location to create balanced, professional-looking images in any lighting condition.
GEAR USED IN THIS SETUP
- Light Meter: Sekonic Litemaster Pro L-478D-U
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 28-70mm
- Flash: Westcott FJ400
Team:
Photographer: Sal Cincotta
Model: violet
Hair & Makeup: Brandi Patton, ReFine Beauty
WHY USE A LIGHT METER ON LOCATION
When shooting on location, lighting conditions can be unpredictable—clouds can shift, shadows move, and available light changes quickly. A light meter helps eliminate guesswork by giving you precise exposure readings, whether you’re using ambient light, flash, or a mix of both.
Using a light meter allows you to:
- Set your exposure accurately
- Balance ambient and artificial light
- Save time in post-processing
- Create consistent results across multiple shots
Step 1: Metering for Ambient Light
Let’s start with natural light. Suppose you’re photographing on a cloudy day—soft, even light with no strong highlights or shadows. Here’s how you’d use a light meter in that scenario:
- Set your camera to manual mode – This gives you full control over your exposure.
- Dial in your desired settings – For example, you might choose:
- ISO: 100
- Shutter Speed: 1/200th sec
- Light Meter Mode: Set to measure for aperture priority
- Take a reading – Place the dome of the light meter facing your subject and press the measure button. You’ll get an f-stop reading. Let’s say it reads f/4.5.
- Match your camera settings – Set your aperture to f/4.5 and you’re ready to shoot.
This process ensures your exposure is dialed in perfectly for the available light.
Step 2: Using Flash With a Light Meter
Now let’s elevate the scene. If the natural light feels flat or lifeless, you can add flash to bring dimension and contrast to your image.
Here’s how to use a light meter with flash on location:
- Know your base exposure – In the earlier example, ambient light was f/4.5. That means everything—the subject and the background—is being hit equally with that amount of light.
- Add a pop with flash – To make your subject stand out, you want the flash to expose her at a higher aperture (brighter exposure) than the background. For instance, aim for f/8.
- Set up your flash – Position your strobe (like the Westcott FJ400) 6–10 feet from your subject and turn it on.
- Switch the light meter to flash mode – Set your ISO to 100 and your shutter speed to 1/200th sec (your camera’s flash sync speed).
- Take a flash reading – Point the meter toward the light source, fire the flash, and check the reading. If it reads f/7, increase flash power slightly and meter again until you get f/8.
- Match the camera – Set your aperture to f/8 and shoot. The subject will now be properly lit by the flash, while the background stays slightly darker (exposed at f/4.5), creating separation and depth.
PRO TIPS FOR ON-LOCATION FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
- Control the light direction – Angle your flash to avoid spilling light on the background. This helps keep the ambient exposure separate.
- Teach your assistant – If you work with someone holding your light, have them maintain a consistent distance and angle by “following the nose” of your subject.
- Re-meter when moving lights – Distance affects power. A few feet closer or farther away can dramatically change your exposure.
FINAL RESULTS: AMBIENT VS. FLASH
The difference is striking. Ambient-only shots on overcast days can look flat. But when you add flash and use a light meter to control the exposure, your subject pops with clarity and contrast. You’ll see dramatic shadows, vibrant tones, and a more polished, editorial look—all from taking the time to meter your light.
Camera settings: F/4.5, 44.0 MM, ISO: 100, 1/200 S
FINAL THOUGHTS: WHY YOU SHOULD BE USING A LIGHT METER ON LOCATION
Learning how to use a light meter on location isn’t just about being precise—it’s about unlocking creative freedom. You no longer have to rely on trial and error or overexpose your highlights while guessing in-camera.
Whether you’re a natural-light shooter or a strobe-lover, a light meter gives you the control to make intentional, impactful images every time.
Want to see it in action? Check out our behind-the-scenes video that walks you through this setup step by step.
Let us know in the comments: Do you use a light meter in your workflow? Or are you thinking about adding one to your toolkit?
