The present invention is generally directed to various methods of controlling exposure processes by monitoring photon levels, and various systems for accomplishing same. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing an exposure process by generating light comprised of a number of photons from a light source to expose at least a portion of a layer of photo-sensitive material, counting a number of photons incident on at least a portion of the layer of photo-sensitive material, and controlling at least one of a duration of the exposure process and an irradiance of the light source based upon the counted number of photons. In another illustrative embodiment, the method comprises performing an exposure process by generating light comprised of a number of photons from a light source to expose at least a portion of a layer of photo-sensitive material, determining a rate at which the photons impact at least a portion of the layer of photo-sensitive material, and controlling at least one of a duration of the exposure process and an irradiance of the light source based upon the determined rate of the photons impacting the layer of photo-sensitive material.