Abstract: Apparatus and methods for obtaining an image of a license plate mounted on a moving vehicle. The methods includes determining, exposure for the image capture based on a meter reading that places greater weight on the license plate portion of the field, than on any portions of the field of view in which the license plate is not positioned. The method also includes adjusting settings for the image capture device based on the meter reading while holding device shutter speed fixed, and then capturing an image of the field of view. The image capture device is adjusted to have a fixed shutter speed appropriate for the speed of the moving vehicle, and its automatic adjustments are based on a meter reading that places greater weight on the license plate portion of the field of view.