In the world of photography, a common belief persists that mastering manual mode is paramount for capturing great photos. This topic holds significant importance for photographers starting their learning journey, as it guides their development. This insightful video examines the topic and offers some important advice.
Coming to you from PIXEL VIILAGE, this informative video tackles the myth of learning manual mode. The video emphasizes that while understanding camera settings, including manual mode, is beneficial, the essence of photography transcends the technicalities of camera modes, pointing out that many iconic photographs were captured more through quick reflexes and a keen eye for the moment, rather than meticulous manual settings. This perspective is vital for newcomers to photography, suggesting that storytelling, emotion, and capturing fleeting moments are as crucial, if not more so, than technical precision.
The video further elaborates that while manual mode offers control and can be highly effective, it is not the only path to great images. The real power of a photograph lies in its ability to tell a story and stir emotions, regardless of the mode used. This idea liberates photographers from the pressure of sticking strictly to manual mode, encouraging them to explore automatic and semi-automatic modes. These modes, when used effectively, do not diminish the creativity or value of a photographer's work; in fact, many professionals rely on them in challenging situations. A comprehensive skill set is one that balances technical know-how, creative vision, and an in-depth understanding of your subjects. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
My 2¢ on it is that it always shocks me that people think/imply learning manual mode is a difficult thing that requires years to figure out. Someone can learn the basics of the exposure triangle in 15min or less and really that's all you need to know to be able to shoot in manual. (and that knowledge is kinda important for programmed auto modes as well)
As experienced photographers and those who frequently shoots in manual, it's easy to say manual is not difficult. But, if you were to take random people off the street that have never shot a camera before, that don't know what is an ISO, or aperture, or shutter speed, and try to teach them manual and the exposure triangle, I'd wager it's going to take more than 15 min for them to learn and use practically.
Where is the complexity? Its 3 numbers that all change the brightness depending on the direction you move them and then each have a trade off when you adjust them. Thats it. We aren't talking about deep knowledge and mastery; we are talking about being able to reach a point of being able to switch a camera from program auto to manual and still make images.
--- "Where is the complexity?"
In scenarios NOT in studio; scenarios where light changes often; and/or changing aperture as needed often. If all you do is shoot in a static location, in a static direction, in a static lighting condition, yeah, it's not that complex.
If you give someone who has never shot before a 15 minute crash course, do you seriously think you can just throw them out on the streets and they'll be successful and confident in shooting different lighting and depth of field scenarios? C'mon, man.
The only reasons I shoot in manual is when using flash/constant light, or when feelin' nostalgic and just want to feel and hear the clicks. Click…click click…click. Otherwise, Aperture Priority all day, every day. I'm not one of those people that feel I need to compensate and that it's some kind of badge of honor to do things the hard way. That's just silly.
Actually, you are adding the complexity - depth of field control for example. Most of the photographers I've come across who were trained pre-digital on cameras like the K1000 learned how to expose film in Manual in just a few minutes.
The ISO was fixed to the film selected. A basic understanding of shutter speed relative to motion or hand shake. Adjust the aperture ring to match the needle. (Basically the manual equivalent to Shutter Priority) So yes, in 15 minutes I could teach someone to use a camera in manual mode across most general shooting situations, and their skills would quickly improve after a few outings. High failure rate? Only in the beginning.
Then, step by step add complexity, such as same film speed in a new lighting situation.
There is a significant gap between basic skills and mastery, but starting out on today's cameras using manual mode doesn't need to be complicated.
--- "you are adding the complexity - depth of field control for example"
That's one of the 3 main adjustments. That's part of learning/teaching manual. Is it not?
--- "So yes, in 15 minutes I could teach someone to use a camera in manual mode"
You could? So, in other words, you have not actually done it? And, therein lies the problem. After decades and decades of experience, manual will seem elementary.
--- "Most of the photographers I've come across who were trained pre-digital on cameras like the K1000 learned how to expose film in Manual in just a few minutes."
Sunny 16 rule? Where the ISO/ASA is fixed depending on the film, the shutter speed is set to the value of the ISO, and the only decision the photographer makes is evaluating how bright it is, sunny, cloudy, sunset, etc, then sets the aperture accordingly? That's not learning.
If you are going to teach manual, do it properly, which will take time. Don't half-ass it just so you can say it can be learned in minutes.
"So, in other words, you have not actually done it?"
Well, I've taught more than a few classes over the last 30 or 35 years, so yes I've done it. And yes, very successfully. (College level, public schools, regional and national camera stores)
Unless you wish for your arguments to appear in some way uninformed, you might reconsider or clarify a few points:
"That's one of the 3 main adjustments."
No, depth of field is not one of the three main adjustments, it is the byproduct of aperture and distance to subject. Depth of field is an effect that you have control over to some extent, beyond that it's physics. You can nail exposure in manual mode and have a well-focused subject without giving one thought to depth of field.
Sunny 16 Rule is for calculating an outdoor exposure when you don't have a light meter. Frankly, Sunny 16 works best on color or B&W film, less so for digital and transparency. Why would you reference that and then apply it in an argument incorrectly? Not relevant to what I wrote since I mentioned adjusting settings to match needle or zero out an in-camera exposure meter, no calculations or best guesses involved.
"That's not learning."
Learning happens over time, but I can and do teach the basics of manual exposure in minutes. For some people it does take longer, usually not because they are slow learners but because they want to make things more complicated than they need to be.
--- "Well, I've taught more than a few classes over the last 30 or 35 years, so yes I've done it. And yes, very successfully."
That's great! Do you sample photos of what they were learning within a few minutes in the classes?
--- "No, depth of field is not one of the three main adjustments, it is the byproduct of aperture and distance to subject."
You forgot, subject distance to background. I didn't think I had to hold your hand. We were talking about settings on the camera and you specifically said "depth of field control". Anyone with proper experience and proper training would have concluded aperture, since you know, it's the one of the three main settings that controls depth of field.
--- "Sunny 16 works best on color or B&W film, less so for digital and transparency. Why would you reference that and then apply it in an argument incorrectly? Not relevant to what I wrote"
You're that one that brought up film.
--- "Learning happens over time"
Yep. You are correct there. And, sounds like that would take more than a few minutes.
-- "but I can and do teach the basics of manual exposure in minutes."
That's like me saying I can take someone that has never driven a vehicle with manual transmission before and teach basics while in a parking lot. But, when they get out in the real world, they will stall, grind gears, roll backwards on a hill, etc, etc, until they get better at it. Manual is easy for me to operate, but, it's going to be difficult for them. What a coincidence, same with cameras.
What you fail to understand is teaching basics may be the simple part, but, putting what was learned into practice is difficult, especially in a dynamic scenario. Unless all you do is shoot in one location, one direction, and one lighting condition.
While you might certainly be able to apply what you know, your arguments conflate multiple learnings into single steps suggesting that you probably wouldn't be an effective teacher. I can - and have - taught people to shoot a camera in manual mode in 15 minutes. They have gone out of the classroom and returned with some successful shots, and some unsuccessful shots. Full stop, end of lesson 1. Practice to get better, move on to lesson 2.
I have seen quite a few videos talking negatively about manual mode, as if there are manual mode snobs out there looking down on semi-automiatic modes. Of course it's just clickbait but why do some YouTubers feel the need to talk so negatively about manual mode and claim aperture priority is the mode we should use? Same goes for those videos telling us we should all shoot aps-c cameras instead of FF.
Using manual mode on a camera is no different from using any other mode. In my world you use the appropriate mode for the situation. There is nothing inherently superior to using manual mode, its just another mode.
Well said!!! Lets see, Is there a MetaData file printed on the image paper front or back? Is there MetaData info on most digital images? Now what can you use to capture an image - the camera comes with all the math needed in any and all settings even manual if you use Auto ISO right and you paid for all and any modes even auto or even both autos modes. When I bought my first Sony the A7s you could download programs/apps to the camera mainly Digital Filter but Star Trails, Multi Shot, Toys etc. all of which performed operations in camera.
There are many that recommend night Astro Milky Way's but is the one thing you look at - the M.M. (metering mode) at the bottom of the rear screen or eyepiece.
Aperture Mode is the most used like back in the film days My Canon Ftb had a light meter built in moving a needle and you put the aperture needle with a round hole over the light meter needle and the math done for the ASA film and light meter was done inside (somewhere).
The camera is a tool some with more and some with less.
All images were done in Aperture Mode, why because a lot of light was available. No flash on the third. and using the old (now) A7S except 2nd the A7RM2 the tour guide had a large digital lantern set at daytime temp. The first was lit in a cave and hand held with A7S (no IBIS). Anyone can do it, if they just try and yes also in Manual Mode if they want.
Software is the most important second phase of the images processing.
Just have fun!!!
'Aperture Mode is the most used like back in the film days'
The film days as you put it spans from the 1840's to the 1990's and for much of that time, up until 1971 (when Pentax introduced the worlds first camera with automatic-exposure control) cameras were mostly manual only and then after 1971 not all cameras had aperture priority. People still shot in manual even after the introduction of aperture priority so it's not really true to say aperture priority was the most used mode. Btw, your Canon Ftb was a fully manual camera.
Yes it is a manual camera mechanically and will work even without the battery. But you had to tell/select it the ASA a mechanical operation. But it has a light meter built in moving a needle that you would put the aperture circle over vs a handheld light meter and chart in a manual to determine an aperture. Also the prism in the eyepiece to get correct focus. But you do not need to hold up a light meter to figure exposure.
But I ask also manual mode on even the most modern camera like on my A7RM5 what is it your eye is looking at when getting a capture when selecting Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO? Yes the built in Light Meter, yes with many modes in today's world but the M.M. at the bottom of the screen where you see a pos or neg number like +.7 for Milky Ways looking at the expose to the right point.
So without the the aperture circle over the light meter needle, well you learn with different film you find you can be at the top, center or bottom. and you can set the film speed to double and use some day film at night. Somewhere in the box the light meter knows when the ASA is doubled.
My most cherished is the Vivitar Prism Filters.
"Snap-shooter" VS Photographer?
From the days of the Kodak Brownie, millions have taken photos with no knowledge of photography beyond pressing the Shutter Button.
Understanding Manual Mode is understanding the basics of photography.
Many folks, "today" sport $$$$K Cameras, shoot in some form of AUTO Mode, and are completely ignorant of even the basic principles such as DOF.
Cameras aren't difficult to learn how to use, what they are is time sinks and some fairly simply math. What I find with most people who get their first camera is they think they need to learn everything at once and get overwhelmed. My wife thought our camera was too complicated to use. After I proved it can be used in the exact same way as a point and shoot, I had her hooked. After that it was easy to introduce manual settings one by one, so she now knows that shooting manually is just learning a simple thing then practicing so you muscle memory the buttons, dials and rings.
If you aren't planning on doing much with your camera then no but if you want to get any sort of serious about photography then yes you need to learn manual mode. it's not as difficult as it seems and eventually depending on what work you do you may only shoot in manual mode. Same thing with flash photography. I used to fret about how complicated flash photography is until i actually learned it and found out it's pretty dang simple actually. Any one that says they can't learn it is lying to themselves.
Yes.