EXPOSURE

A digital camera is not infallible. In fact a digital camera's tolerance to incorrect exposure is far less than film especially where over exposure is concerned. Those of you who shot transparency film in the past have an advantage as a digital camera reacts in roughly the same way as slide film.

Fortunately modern meter systems will give good results 95% of the time. Take care not to burn out highlights, a burnt out highlight has no detail that can be recovered.

If in doubt err on the side of slight underexposure as it's easier in PS to recover detail in underexposure, i.e. bias your exposure to getting the high lights correct.

For difficult lighting I use manual with a spot meter, a reading is taken from the highlight I want to retain detail in. A shot is taken at the meter reading and then that reading is adjusted by between +1/2 to +1 stops.