You’re probably making manual mode harder than it needs to be. Many people struggle with exposure settings, unsure of how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The key isn’t memorizing numbers—it’s understanding how these choices interact in real-time.
Coming to you from Benjamin Jaworskyj - Simply Learn Photography, this practical video walks you through using manual mode step by step. Jaworskyj demonstrates how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together by in different lighting conditions. He starts in the shade, using an f/1.8 aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field. Keeping ISO at 100, he adjusts shutter speed until the exposure meter reads zero. The result? A well-balanced image with a soft background. This method, which he calls the "zero game," simplifies exposure adjustments without overcomplicating the process.
Things change when he moves into direct sunlight. Even at the highest shutter speed of 1/4,000 s, the image is too bright. This highlights a common problem—sometimes your preferred settings don’t work due to lighting conditions. To compensate, he closes the aperture slightly, giving him more control. This demonstrates an important lesson: settings are not fixed rules. They should adapt to the environment.
Beyond still objects, Jaworskyj applies the same principles to a moving subject. He captures a flower swaying in the wind, first with a fast shutter speed, then with a slow one. The difference is striking. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, while a slow one turns movement into blur. This is where manual mode gives you control. Auto mode won’t anticipate movement, but manual mode lets you adjust based on the situation. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Jaworskyj.
It's so sad to see articles like this, since real photography is like real flying. You MUST master the tools, machines, equipment, etc., before trying to actually "creating" a picture. When you become artistic enough to "SEE" your desired image in your head, you must be a master of the mechanics (camera settings) to make the captured image match your mental image. If you're surprised at your images, study and practice more.
The AUTO function of a camera has no eyes or brain. Turn it OFF, and control your own views.
Pixurman