Method and apparatus for controlling exposure of camera

An exposure control method for a camera using a central photometric element for detecting a central light value from a central area of a scene to be photographed and a peripheral photometric element for detecting a peripheral light value from a peripheral area of said scene, said method comprising the steps of:

• A. judging depending on a difference between said central and peripheral light values whether said scene is back-lighted or front-lighted;
• B. calculating a central exposure value proper for said central area of said scene from said central and peripheral light values using a first equation and a first coefficient;
• C. calculating a peripheral exposure value proper for an entire area of said scene from said central and peripheral light values using a second equation and a second coefficient;
• D. selecting values of said first and second coefficients depending on a result of judging step A, among from values predetermined for front-lighted scenes and values predetermined for back-lighted scenes;
• E. determining an effective exposure value based on said peripheral exposure value and a bias value added to said peripheral exposure value to bias said effective exposure value toward under-exposure side;
• F. driving a shutter device in accordance with said effective exposure value so that an amount of ambient light contributing to film exposure is lacking for a proper exposure;
• and
• G. projecting artificial light from a flash device in synchronism with the driving of said shutter device to compensate for lack of said ambient light, wherein percentage of said artificial light to be contributed to film exposure is determined depending on a difference between said effective exposure value and said central exposure value when said scene is judged to be back-lighted.