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Is manual mode overrated?

For me, it is quite literally as you said. I'm a control freak.
 
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I just like that you can control how the picture is taken 100%. I always shoot in manual cuz most of the time you can predict how the picture will look way before you click the shutter. Thats just my opinion tho.
 
I should start yet another photo forum with the mission statement...

"Screw Art and Tech. Let's just have fun."


For me, I found that a good feedback (I refuse to say "critique") is only obtainable in a one on one interaction; preferably over a nice cold beer. Its such a subjective (sometimes emotional) thing and once you place it in the cold and distant internet, the focus is distracted.


I rarely post for C&C.... I usually just post photos up just for fun. There's another forum I post photos more frequently simply becuase its less active and the active members really just wanna have fun.

Critiques don't have to be these blunt, tough love talks. Critique doesn't mean criticize as in being negative. But rather 'a critical analysis of one's work'--a thoughtful examination. I'm sure most of us do it with movies. But we all know some people who leave a theater and have absolutely nothing to say about the film besides 'I liked it' or 'I didn't like it'. There is nothing wrong with that, but some people do enjoy discussing the movie. They are essentially critiquing the film.

If I say, "I liked the colors of the film" or "I liked the CGI fight with the dragon" that's half a step away from a critique statement. The next step is to ask yourself is why? do you think that. Did the color's support the moods of the scenes? Did they use colors as symbolism? Why did it work? Where didn't it work? ...Did the battle scene with the dragon create a turning point in the story? Did it reveal aspects of the character through the fight? Or was it simply entertaining and well placed in the film's structure?

Most of the feedback I see on people's work is half a step away from a critique. They just need the why? answered, and that will give the creator a better understanding of why the viewer thinks the way they do. It's not easy to talk about photography in this way, but it astounds me that it is almost non-existent on the multiple forums I have checked out.

www.openphotographyforums.com
 
I would say it depends. If im working hard on some kind of shoot and I want things to be exactly what I want then I shoot manual, as its easier to predict the highlights and shadows. If im just snap shooting then I go into "A" mode. Once you figure out manual and are pretty solid at predicting exposure you will find yourself shooting in it all the time.
 
I would say it depends. If im working hard on some kind of shoot and I want things to be exactly what I want then I shoot manual, as its easier to predict the highlights and shadows. If im just snap shooting then I go into "A" mode. Once you figure out manual and are pretty solid at predicting exposure you will find yourself shooting in it all the time.

It's not really predicting or guessing. Your DSLR has a built in light meter visible in the viewfinder that is active in manual mode. On my Canon, it's that bottom horizontal meter that reads something like
' -2 -1 0 +1 +2 '

You just line up the marker with zero and that is exactly what auto mode would calculate. It doesn't mean the exposure is correct, especially in complicated lighting scenarios. That is when people use incident light meters, gray cards, exposure compensation, feverish chimping and/or analyzing their histogram.
 
"Google it!"

"Use the Search Function!"

"OMG, this topic again? We're beating a dead horse!"

"This subject has been rehashed so many times, there's no reason to dig into it again!"

TPF just died...there is no need to make a new thread ever again.
 
To teach you to not be so dependent, you learn the skill of photography
 
"OMG, this topic again? We're beating a dead horse!"

"This subject has been rehashed so many times, there's no reason to dig into it again!"

... because the original post was not turned into a sticky, so we have to keep bringing it back up !!

:lmao:
 
"Google it!"

"Use the Search Function!"

"OMG, this topic again? We're beating a dead horse!"

"This subject has been rehashed so many times, there's no reason to dig into it again!"

TPF just died...there is no need to make a new thread ever again.

New to internet forums, eh? ;)
 
I shoot manual because I prefer to make all the decisions regarding my exposures instead of leaving everything (or almost everything) up to the camera.

Knowing how to shoot manually gives the photographer the most control over their photography, plain and simple. I know this may sound a bit 'old school', but it's really true. Doesn't mean one has to shoot in manual mode all the time, but I believe it's advantageous to know how for that very reason.
 
I shoot alot in Aperture but if i am shooting models, kids, weddings, even with no flash, i use my light meeter and set my camera accordingly. All depends on the location, Sun direction and what i am shooting. Its gives you alot of move flexibilty shooting manual.
 
I use manual because I'm still learning. I'm pretty much at the point now where I know what F/stop and ISO to be at to get the shot I want in whatever light. I think if i'd always used Aperture Priority , I wouldn't know my camera as well as I think I do.
 
yes it's overrated.... it's all about exposure. How you get to the exposure is irrelevant.

With that said I am in manual mode quite often simply because it works for me... next aperture priority.

+1

I use Manual as much as I can. In most sporting events I shoot, I use Aperture Priority. Just makes thing easier for me...
 
Unless shooting @10 FPS I tend to always shot in manual mode with my A55. With the live view and EVF there is not reason not to since you can see what the end result will be.
 
Exactly right. There are times when the conditions and requirements allow you shoot in various auto settings. But there is no way that you can get by without using manual much of the time.
 

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