Camera metering is a process in photography where the camera’s light meter measures the intensity of light in a scene and determines the appropriate exposure settings for capturing the image. The camera’s light meter takes into account the brightness, contrast, and color of the scene, and calculates the optimal exposure settings based on these factors.

There are different types of camera metering modes, including:

1. Matrix or Evaluative Metering – this mode evaluates the brightness and contrast of the entire scene and divides it into different segments, then calculates the exposure settings based on the average values of all segments.
2. Center-weighted Metering – this mode measures the intensity of light in the center of the scene and calculates the exposure settings based on that measurement.
3. Spot Metering – this mode measures the intensity of light in a small spot in the center of the frame, and calculates the exposure settings based on that measurement.
4. Partial Metering – this mode measures the intensity of light in the central area of the frame, and calculates the exposure settings based on that measurement.

The choice of metering mode depends on the photographer’s preference and the characteristics of the scene being photographed. In general, evaluative metering is useful for scenes with a wide range of brightness and contrast, while spot metering is useful for scenes with strong highlights or shadows. Center-weighted and partial metering are often used for portrait photography, where the emphasis is on the subject in the center of the frame.