Mike wrote:

Ron,

The only options for metering light are multi-pattern,
center-weighted and spot metering. The camera was set to
multi-pattern when I took the
image of the flower. What is bracketing? Also, how would I set
exposure "for stuff in the background", assuming this camera has that
capability? Lastly, would it have made any difference in color
accuracy, had I taken the picture in a setting other than "Close-Up
Mode"?
Thanks very much for your reply.

Mike

Mike,
Multi-pattern would be the best of those 3 choices. If you don't have
manual exposure control, you might be stuck. Bracketing consists of
taking additional exposures at settings like 1 f-stop higher and 1
f-stop lower to increase the chances of getting a good shot. Some
cameras can do this automatically. If you can adjust EV (exposure
value), that might also help. Close-Up Mode wouldn't likely affect the
exposure. On the other hand, if you took the picture from farther
away, metering might do better. You could crop the image later.

Ron

Ron,

The camera does allow aperture priority settings, so next time I will
try the 1 f-stop higher lower idea. It also does (I think) have EV
which lets you choose from -2 to +2. I'm not sure, but I think changing
those values changes both f-stop and shutter speed automatically.
What exactly do u mean by manual exposure control? Wouldn't that
be a combination of f-stop, shutter speed and ISO settings?
I can adjust all of those to some extent, but not for just
the background of a close up shot.
Thanks again for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Mike

In manual control, you set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture
yourself, hopefully with the help of an internal or external light
meter. Most non-SLR digital cameras don't have that capability. Sounds
like you can change EV, so you might not need it.

Ron