The general rule is to use as high a shutter as possible. The second control of importance is our aperture which effects the background focus or depth of field. This must be adjusted in co-ordination with the other variables from brighness to shutter. A good negative should have textured detail in the light as well as dark areas with the clear areas almost completely free of grey fog. When we under expose a print we drop out the detail in the shadows causing them to turn DARK or black in our final print.
Exposure is the one most important factor in getting a good exposure.
It is the light meter that will determine exposure. The handheld meter remains one of the most valuable tools for a photographer. Aim the meter at a bright highlight, and it will read it as a mid-tone. Aim the meter at a dark shadow, and it will also read it as a mid-tone. Handheld meters are single reading meters.