When it comes to camera settings, the common wisdom is that one should always use manual mode or at least a semiautomatic mode. But when you are brand new to photography, perhaps it is better to go fully automatic. This awesome video discusses why it might be best to set your camera to Program mode for just a little while to start.
Coming to you from Photo Genius, this great video discusses using Program mode (or an equivalent) as a new photographer. Conventional advice is to avoid fully automatic modes at all costs, and certainly, when you get a little experience with your camera, that is the logical next step. However, when you are brand new to using an advanced camera, it can be a little overwhelming trying to manage functions and settings you are not familiar with while also trying to produce good shots. Building an intuition with your camera is so important, and wading into the water step by step instead of jumping in all at once can make that process a bit easier. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
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Modes as everything else with camera is tool to get result. I did shoot quite lot on manual, and honestly I do it only in studio nowadays. Semi-automatic modes are much more useful to me than slow M mode and for years from now on I don't complain on that, especially during rapidly changing surroundings. While I don't use full Automatic mode I still believe that you can get great shots out of it. Oh yeah, but I do shoot in RAW, for those shooting on JPG it might be not that simple.
When I got back into photography after a break and used my first dslr, I had forgotten how to manually expose so used the auto mode for a while. I can say it did me no favours and felt like I was being lazy. The results were awful too. Learning how to manually expose isn’t impossible and using aperture/shutter priority if full manual is too daunting gets you much better results. Also with mirrorless cameras, people can expose using the exposure preview on the lcd or viewfinder.
Lets also hear it for the "Intelligent Auto" settings to use in fast changing conditions - when you change subjects, lighting and perspective rapidly this can be a lifesaver.