metering with a digital camera can be totally adjustable, you can use center-weighted [getting settings from center of picture] average [taking the best settings for the entire frame, like your's did] and probably spot metering [letting you select the area to meter from, for bracketing or taking similar pictures] i would make sure you know which settings your camera has or is pre-set with before you just go 'aiming' at the dark spot to make sure it comes out, it may still average the entire area before it takes the photo.
nice pic though, the dark look to the background, though it mutes detail, gives a nice moody feel, cool shot.

david :geek