A lot of beginner photographers hear the advice that professionals only shoot in manual mode and that it is a necessary method for becoming truly adept with a camera. And while there is certainly some truth to the benefits of using manual mode, you might be surprised just how often professionals use various semi-automatic modes, and this great video discusses why and how they can benefit your own work.
Coming to you from Jay P. Morgan with The Slanted Lens, this excellent video discusses the importance of using semi-automatic modes. A lot of beginners are told that they have to shoot in manual mode to be a pro. Certainly, manual mode offers you the most control and can teach you a lot about correct exposure and creative imagery, which makes it a fantastic learning tool. But once you have mastered those, it is important to not overlook the usefulness of modes like aperture priority. Modern cameras can evaluate many situations much faster than the human brain can and adjust accordingly, and for photographers in rapidly changing scenarios (such as a wedding shooter moving from the outdoors into a reception hall), this can make the difference between getting the shot or not. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Morgan.
As both an amateur and a professional photographer I use whatever mode gets me the picture whether it be manual, aperture, shutter priority, program or some other mode, they are all merely a means to an end, all my efforts are involved in obtaining the image not in justifying the means of getting there.
Agreed, I do the same with one expection: I cannot remember I ever used the program mode, probably never. My Nikon FA which I bought 1985 has a P-mode. I never used it. I do exactly as in the video above. Either the aperture or the shutter speed or the ISO is on auto. Very rarely I have both shutter speed and ISO on auto. In the studio with flashes I use manual mode only and no TTL (which I find is useless used with more than one flash).
There is nothing wrong about using creative modes. They have their place in digital photography. Using manual mode is similar to wanting more zoom for a zoom lens and more magnification for a macro lens. Once you start wanting more and use what you have to the fullest, the manual mode works best for that purpose. After years of trying it all, I always say that "M" is the "make it easy mode" and the simplest mode to use. I have outlined some of that in the following video...
https://youtu.be/7gISjsn-xbk
""M" is the "make it easy mode" and the simplest mode to use" I wonder how do you get to this conclusion. I stopped watching after "Always shoot full manual and ..." and then you say this is the norm. I dare say: This is nonsense!
Just go through the video and let me know if you still think the same :)
I watched some parts and I am sorry to say, this is neither convincing nor nice to watch and hear.
But still, claiming M to be the norm is a nonsensical claim. You might have heard of the exposure compensation dial?
I occasionally shoot dance performances. The ISO varies a lot between 3200 and 12800 (D4 is o.k. with that), sometimes it is as low as (base) ISO 100. I prefer not to go over 6400 because of the dynamic range. Of course I am using aperture mode with a wide open aperture (f/1.4-f/4) but sometimes for the necessary DOF up to f/8 and more with a minimal shutter speed setting depending on the lens I use (2 cameras, one wide, one tele). The movements are so quick, the light changes even quicker sometimes as the dancers change theirs positions. Spot metering is often not a choice (try to hit and then compose).
I'd love to see you in M-mode getting those moments. When I began with photography I shot some weddings in full manual mode and no AF available (1987). Flash was set to -1EV. That was manageable and it still would be today. But not fast sports or dance events with a quick changing light condition.
Because (in no special order) I want:
* maximum dynamic range
* minimum noise
* frozen movements
* control of depth of field
* control of light
I am used to my Nikons so I got I feeling to expose to the right to get the maximum out of the data.
In post I do:
* white balance
* cropping (when necessary, mostly with wide angle photos)
* tone curve
* graduated density filter
* exposure adjusting
* shadow and highlight recovery
Edit: typos, sorry.
Some situations gain from manual (landscape or studio) when you have time to set everything up.
Otherwise semi-auto with exposure compensation is far more flexible
We have totally different areas and that is fine. There is no one mode fits all :)
Well, that's it! Have a nice day!
I have never understood why it’s suggested you have “more control” in manual mode than in aperture priority and use exposure compensation?
And manual mode is not really manual anyway if you are using evaluative metering.
Manual is only manual with a hand held meter (or guesswork) as I started out using.
Metering is active only if you use anything auto like auto-ISO or Auto-WB. Other than that, metering has no role in Manual mode.
Folks should shoot whatever they want. Manual mode won't make your photos automatically better.
I just find myself in manual 99.9% of the time because I'm a control freak and hate letting my camera make exposure decisions for me. I will say that when you use it enough you get to a point where it's pretty much just as fast as any other mode, even in changing light. Then again I don't shoot sports, so there you go.
True words, and a lot of great tips in this video. I appreciate it.
I am active as an event photographer specialized in sports photography (triathlons, fitness events) and some advertising campaigns for many years.
It might sound crazy, but I have not taken any picture in manual mode at all. Maybe it is too challenging, maybe it is not necessary. Perhaps both is right.
I respect all of you guys who can handle this but for me, this doesn't work. Time is always a factor and if you are outside light changes fast, too.
Except for studio photography with perfect conditions, the manual mode is truly overrated.
If you’re asking me, use all the options the camera has to offer but avoid the big "M" as often as you can.
You can find some of my pics on eiswuerfelimschuh.de