Canon A-1 - Manual (Page 122)

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
You can, of course, make exposure cor­
rections by operating the camera manually,
but the A-1 is also equipped with other
devices which allow you to correct the
exposure while in an AE mode.
Unusual lighting conditions which necessi­
tate exposure correction include those in­
stances when light takes up the major part of
the viewing area, such as in beach or snow
scenes, and contre-jour or backlit situations
in which light is shining behind the subject,
such as when your subject is in front of a
window or when a lamp or the sun is shining
behind him/her. In such situations, the
camera might be fooled into giving a reading
which would underexpose your subject, so
you must give it more exposure than the
camera shows in AE. This also applies to
high-key or intentionally overexposed shots.
On the other hand, it is necessary to reduce
the exposure for a low-key shot. Some cor­
rection may also be necessary if your sub-