image1) I chose this setting because overall image was bright and light.
Setting: +1 exp compensation and +0.15 exp using RAW converter
image2) I chose this setting because of the light cream background with light figure in the front. Setting: +1 exp compensation and +0.65 exp using RAW converter
image3) I chose this setting because the background was quite dark and all the other objects in the image were dark too but when the image was processed in RAW, I increased the exposure by a little bit so it won't be too dark. Setting: -1 exp compensation and +0.15 exp using RAW conver also adjust distortion using lens correction in CS3
image4) I chose this setting because overall image was very dark and the figure in the image was very dark too. Setting: -2 exp compensation
Part Two: All the images in this part were also taken with Evaluate metering mode
Photo 1 - books and photo Out of the 5 exposures below, the forth one with half a stop lighter is the best lighting but the average, the third, one is acceptabal on a darker side. other exposures are either underexposed or overexposed but the the fith one, one stop lighter is probably still acceptable.
Exp 1 -1 stop TOO DARK
Exp 2 -1/2 stop TOO DARK
Exp 3 average - ACCEPTABLE
Exp 4 + 1/2 stop - PREFERRED
Exp 5 + 1 stop - acceptable
Photo 2 - Lavender
Because the Lavender was rather dark in colour. By setting at slightly underexpose (-1/2stop) worked best. But the average setting was OK and the -1 stop was OK too.
Exp -1 stop - Acceptable
Exp -1/2 stop - Preferred
Exp average - ACCEPTABLE
Exp +1/2 stop TOO LIGHT
Exp +1 stop TOO LIGHT
Photo 3 - Balcony
The Bayleaves tree was quite dark against the background. Using Evaluate metering mode turned out quite OK. The average one was the best one I think but the +1/2 and -1/2 stop were acceptable too. the other two +1 and -1 stop was either too dark or too bright.
Exp -1 stop - TOO DARK
Exp -1/2 stop - ACCEPTABLE
Exp average - PREFERRED
Exp +1/2 stop - ACCEPTABLE
Exp +1 stop - TOO LIGHT
Photo 4 - Rose This photo was taken after a rainy day. I love the rain drop on it. For this set of photos, the average one was quite dark. The one with +1/2 stop was the best and +1 stop is acceptable too. The rest were too dark.
Exp -1 stop - TOO DARK
Exp -1/2 stop - TOO DARK
Exp average - TOO DARK
Exp +1/2 stop - PREFERRED
Exp +1 stop - ACCEPTABLE
Photo 5 - A tree I just took this one randomly. The average setting came out the best among the 5 photos.
Exp -1 stop TOO DARK
Exp -1/2 stop ACCEPTABLE
Exp average PREFERRED
Exp +1/2 stop ACCEPTABLE
Exp +1 stop TOO BRIGHT
Summary: depending on the subjects, some of the photos are better slightly underexposed and some are definitely better slightly overexposed. Because the average metering often make the picture looks flat / gray. To me it is better to take the photo with RAW image and adjust the exposure in RAW than trying to bracket everything.
