exposure compensation

This term is a technical specification used primarily in photography and cinematography. It refers to the intentional deviation from a camera's calculated exposure to achieve a specific aesthetic or to correct for lighting conditions that confuse the internal light meter, such as high-contrast scenes with bright snow or dark backgrounds.

In practical usage, it is often discussed in terms of "stops," where a photographer might apply a positive or negative compensation to brighten or darken the final image. It is a distinct process from adjusting the aperture or shutter speed manually, as it tells the camera's automatic systems to shift their target brightness level.