Why use a light meter?

I am overwhelm by so much enthusiasm, so many responses, so many experienced photographs that wants to help. It will take me a whole to digest all this information. Possibly it will show in my next testing sessions. Judging by the number of views for this thread, there is a lot of people with similar questions.

Yes, you are perfectly right: testing is the only way to learn and understand. Applying "recipes" recommended by Mr. X or Mr. Y on some forum - this never works. Have fun!

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Originally Posted by wlou

All your answers are different and helpful at the same time. In short it is all about understand how a camera sees the scene, be it reading in it too much light or not enough, or the difference between a pleasing picture or not so pleasing depending on the effect you where trying to accomplish? Right?
So, for me who is 99% of the time in Manual Mode, on tripod, in the garden, preparing to shoot a bright yellow flower in the morning light, a light meter would make the job of "exposing not too bright/dark right the first time?

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I wouldnt buy a separate light meter if I were you who shoot 99% of the time in the garden. By the time you take several measurements and adjust the light meter, you'd be better off bracketing your EV for your test shots. This would save you time and hassles.

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Originally Posted by wlou

Why use a light meter?

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If you are learning about photography or learning about shooting studio portraits like I did awhile back from the ever helpful/studio portraits guru - Colin Southern. You would need one. At least for awhile until you know your strobes power and their characteristics inside out. Light meter in this situation, would help you to quickly establish a correct starting point and where you want to take it from there is entirely your artistic intent. Without it, you would be lost. I have a L-358 but only use it when I want to experiment with different strobes placing positions in my home studio or when I go and practice in different pro studios. Hope that helps.