Is it normal to feel like I am changing my settings all the time?

[Braineack]

In one day I shot : M , A , and S, center, matrix, and spot, auto-iso, 24mm all the way to 200mm, in shade, noon sun, indoors, used vc, used no vc, shot from the hip, shot from a tripod, shot from the ground, used a self timer, used continuous high for a 20 shot burst, used ae lock, used focus lock, and even used the pop up flash for fill.

 

[Vince.1551]

This is a good time to use the BBF button so you don't have to keep changing focus point


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[imagemaker46]

In one day I shot : M , A , and S, center, matrix, and spot, auto-iso, 24mm all the way to 200mm, in shade, noon sun, indoors, used vc, used no vc, shot from the hip, shot from a tripod, shot from the ground, used a self timer, used continuous high for a 20 shot burst, used ae lock, used focus lock, and even used the pop up flash for fill.

Was there a point to all this?

 

[AlanKlein]

Getting the right exposure is the end game. How you get there is not cheating. When I shoot landscape, I bracket. No one has ever asked me how I exposed my shots much less if I "cheated" to get the exposure right. Next you'll be wondering if auto-focusing is cheating. Do you drive with a stick shift? Lighten up on yourself.

 

[Braineack]

In one day I shot : M , A , and S, center, matrix, and spot, auto-iso, 24mm all the way to 200mm, in shade, noon sun, indoors, used vc, used no vc, shot from the hip, shot from a tripod, shot from the ground, used a self timer, used continuous high for a 20 shot burst, used ae lock, used focus lock, and even used the pop up flash for fill.

Was there a point to all this?

I obviously don't heed my own advice.

 

[frommrstomommy]

I am constantly changing settings around. If you asked me this time last year I would have probably been worried like you that I was making people wait but all I did by trying to adjust less and feeling rushed was take worse photos. Lol. Seriously... biggest piece if advice, slow down. Get your settings correct, chit chat as you do. I also show them an image here and there throughout the shoot. It gives everyone a breather from the go go go. I had a client say "wow that looks edited already!" Yes, because I'm taking my time to get it as close to perfect in camera as I can. I've never felt like anyone was irritated by me getting my settings right If I'm keeping them in the loop on what's going on and why.

 

[Solarflare]

Well, I dont use manual mode very often. Except on my compact camera. The autoexposure feature of it is simply useless, thus I prefer to use manual and do it myself.

On my D600, the autoexposure is so good that I dont even bother to use -2/3 EV comp or anything anymore. I dont remember having any overexposure problem with it, ever ? I just use Aperture Priority if I want to control depth of field, or Shutter Priority if I want to control shutter speed. Only under very special circumstances (such as trying to make a picture of the moon) I use full manual.

 

[Stacy Morin]

Again thanks everyone, I know I am new here but am I missing something between Braineack and imagemake46? (a joke I don't get perhaps?) I think you are not being very nice to each other, just sayin'.

 

[Braineack]

You're not missing anything. I suggested you do something in a particular situation that he doesn't do, therefore I've personally offended him and and suggested his 40 years of doing things--obviously--wrong because some random person on the internet suggested someone else do something different in a direct response to this statement: I shoot Manual and use the meter in the viewfinder to find the "correct" exposure.

This is the interenet afterall.

 

[robbins.photo]

You're not missing anything. I suggested you do something in a particular situation that he doesn't do, therefore I've personally offended him and and suggested his 40 years of doing things--obviously--wrong because some random person on the internet suggested someone else do something different in a direct response to this statement: I shoot Manual and use the meter in the viewfinder to find the "correct" exposure.

This is the interenet afterall.

Ok, no. Now I must take offense. You are not just "some" random person on the internet. You are "The" random person on the internet.

Get some self-esteem man! Assert your presence with authority!

Lol

 

[JacaRanda]

After the pissing contest on what mode to shoot in and what button to use or not use to obtain focus; shoot how the hell you want to shoot. Until you are berated into shooting differently.

 

[robbins.photo]

After the pissing contest on what mode to shoot in and what button to use or not use to obtain focus; shoot how the hell you want to shoot. Until you are berated into shooting differently.

Maybe for the next generation of DSLR's they should have a Ps Mode. You turn the dial to Ps and it just picks a shooting mode for you completely at random.

Hmm...

 

[JacaRanda]

After the pissing contest on what mode to shoot in and what button to use or not use to obtain focus; shoot how the hell you want to shoot. Until you are berated into shooting differently.

Maybe for the next generation of DSLR's they should have a Ps Mode. You turn the dial to Ps and it just picks a shooting mode for you completely at random.

Hmm...

Good idea. That way one learns how to use the stupid thing.

 

[imagemaker46]

You're not missing anything. I suggested you do something in a particular situation that he doesn't do, therefore I've personally offended him and and suggested his 40 years of doing things--obviously--wrong because some random person on the internet suggested someone else do something different in a direct response to this statement: I shoot Manual and use the meter in the viewfinder to find the "correct" exposure.

This is the interenet afterall.

You haven't offended me in any way at all. You wrote something that I sarcastically replied to and you took it that I was somehow upset. Personally I really don't care one way or another how people do things, it's up to the individuals with the cameras to figure out what works best for them.

The regulars on this forum know what I shoot, I have explained many times how I shoot, what cameras I used to shoot with and my views on photography in general, and in some cases in detail. I tell the truth, I don't sugar coat what I say, for the most part I believe I am offering good advice, tips and suggestions on how to become better photographers. I base my observations on my skills and experience as a full time professional photographer.

I just take pictures.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Take a look at Scott's (Imagemaker's) website, that pretty much says it, I think photographs mostly speak for themselves. I've done submissions to juried exhibits and all they're going on is the photograph(s) initially; it's not til I've had something accepted that I write up a bio and a blurb etc. so they don't know anything about me they're judging my work.

As far as the original question, it sounds fairly normal if you're fairly new to photography. But I think there's a difference between doing photography just for fun as a hobby etc. or wanting to eventually do it as work/for pay. It doesn't seem like a good use of a model's time even if it's done in trade (unless it's just a friend you practice with for fun) if you are still figuring out how to set your camera. As I think pgriz said it should be a fairly quick adjustment.

I'd suggest you get out with just your camera and get better at using your meter and adjusting your settings in a variety of existing light conditions so when you try shooting with models you know to adjust your camera in a more efficient way.