Histograms and light meters.
The light meter, if you know how to use it properly, tells you what kind
of exposure you're going to get.
The histogram tells you what kind of exposure you actually got.
The "if you know how to use it properly" caveat is what trips people up
- even the best, most experienced photographers, occasionally. That's
why good photographers check their histograms frequently.
Data point: In editing the PDML Photo Annual, I found that approximately
80% of the images I received had overexposure/clipping problems serious
enough to require significant Photoshop work to correct before printing.
(And that doesn't include shots like Luka Knezevic-Strika's "Leaving"
and Derby Chang's "Wearable Art", both of which used overexposure
deliberately for artistic effect.)
Most people who don't think they need to check their histograms need to
check their histograms.
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