Exposure compensation with Nikon D5100

Is there a good write up to learn Exposure compensation with Nikon D5100? I wish to know how to avoid overexposed photographs in sunlight. Recently I when tried, I over exposed them with some very bad output.
I wish to know how to do it - specific to what I have a Nikon 5100. Thank you.

You can also set the bracketing feature to capture 3 different exposures.

you will not get even exposure if some of the shot is in sunlight and some in shade . If you have white objects usually called Wedding Dresses in the shot its normal to expose 1/2 stop under and sort it in Lightroom later or you burn the dress ..best to do everyting under than over and sort it later....
you will find a +/- button on the top ..hold it down and turn the command wheel.

The best tool you have is the histrogram. Turn on the highlights / "blinkies" take a test shot and study it.

sorry Jams no time for chimping when I am shooting......

Well I'll be a monkeys uncle and take a test shot first.

KWJams said:

Well I'll be a monkeys uncle and take a test shot first.

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Yes,, not taking advantage of the Real Time Feedback is denyning one of the primary advantages of digital photography.