Is there a point of learning Aperture,ISO,Shutter speed?

[JimCoventry]

The only cool looking aesthetic effects you can do with a camera are Depth of field, and Bokeh. Other than that, is there really any point in learning how to use Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed? I mean, can't a beginner just purchase an expensive DSLR and just shoot on auto and produce professional looking pictures? I mean, the only reason you would need aperture,ISO, or shutter speed is if you wanted to create depth of field, or bokeh. Other than that, what is the point though? Thats what confuses me..There really doesn't seem like there is much to do with a camera aside from bokeh and depth of field..That is all I ever see..

Go ahead. Use AUTO. Try this one though. Let your subject have a bright background - that you want to show, and use AUTO. Watch your results of the subject.

 

[KmH]

I've never liked the analogy of exposure to a triangle, because there is no relationship in exposure like the trigonometric relationship the sides of a triangle have to each other - SOHCAHTOA.

 

[scottsdaleriots]

I think there is a point to learning aperture, ISO, shutter speed. Like 12 months ago I didn't think there were that important (as I too thought my photos taken in auto/program looked alright). I'm trying to master using manual - as people have pointed out it gives you creative control and allows you to do what you may - if you've got you're techique and camera operation down pat. I think that if you're shooting in manual and know the exact 'look' nof how you want and what you want your photo to look like then you would use manual. But in saying that I believe that auto works with some situations and it's ok to shoot in program or auto mode.

And I think it also depends on what you're shooting

 

[LightSpeed]

Seriously, I'd just put the camera in program mode and shoot away.
Forget about everything else.
That's how i ROLL BABY.

 

[rambler]

You can certainly take "wow" photos using Auto. Professionals use Auto sometimes, too. But, learning about the other options will help you improve the composition and presentation of your images which improve your chances of getting more "wow" photos. One pro carries a point and shoot for close-ups (macro).

From a page of one of Scott Kelby's book on digital photography he answers the question, "Which Mode to Shoot in?" In brief:
Aperture Priority --- for control over your background both in portrait and landscapes
Shutter Priority: -- shooting sports and moving subjects
Manual: in studio with strobes
Program: point and shoot to capture a quick moment
Kelby is a professional Photographer, author, editor, teacher, Photoshop expert

One image can have as many as six correct exposures. The results are all slightly different. Auto mode captures one. You might prefer one or more of the other choices which would be the result of a different aperture, shutter speed, or ISO from the one choice that Auto used.

Examples: Suppose you took a photo of a beautiful flower, but in the background was the partial image of a passer-by. Use of a different aperture would have blurred out the distracting background.
Suppose you took a picture of a cute child on a swing, but alas, it came out all blurry. Taken at a faster shutter speed, you could have stopped the action and had a smiling faces clearly in focus. Or, if your subject was a surfer riding a wave, a higher ISO setting would give you a faster shutter speed option for freezing the action.
Suppose you took a winter photo, but the sun washed out the snow. Changing the exposure from Auto would capture the scene.

Different apertures and where you focus can effect whether an image in the foreground of a distant landscape will be in or out of focus.

In short, using different camera settings for the same photo can produce very different results. Shooting Auto gives you only one option. Sometimes that might be the best option, but often one of the other alternatives gives the shot you were hoping for.

PS With the DSLR you can change lenses. Each lens has an aperture where the image will be the sharpest. Auto might miss it.
Take a photo of falling water at Auto, then the same scene with f/stop at 16 or 22, then the same scene at f/4 or 5.6. The water will look very different, but each exposure correct and you can decide which image you like best.

Even for an amateur like me knowing something about aperture, shutter speed and ISO has improved my skills, image results, and enjoyment of photography.

 

[Compaq]

It's not just about getting more control. It's about you as a person. Either you're a slob that doesn't care to do things properly, or you are willing to sit down, read and experiment and actually learn what the heck you're doing. You get to choose which one you want to be. If you choose #1, you will not be respected in the field. Do you want to get into photography for real, then you must learn to use your tool.

How many of the famous photographers that you've looked at do you think regularly shoots in auto mode? Please give an honest answer and reflect upon that.

 

[Kerbouchard]

How many of the famous photographers that you've looked at do you think regularly shoots in auto mode? Please give an honest answer and reflect upon that.

Most professional photographers don't have an 'auto' mode on their camera. They do, however have a Programmed Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. As far as how many use an automated mode on a routine basis, I would say, on the low end, probably 80%.

For instance, I shot a wedding last night. Never took the camera off manual, but for the majority of the reception, I was using bounced flash in TTL. Very much an automated mode. Did some shots at the fair last weekend...I believe I used Aperture Priority for a lot of it because it worked well in the conditions I was in.

I'm not scared to give the camera some control over how my shots turn out, as long as I know how it's controlling what and can anticipate the results. Just my .02

 

[rambler]

In above post did mean Program or Manual Mode instead of Auto when refering to professional use.
Just came across this article:
Switch to Manual Mode

 

[Compaq]

How many of the famous photographers that you've looked at do you think regularly shoots in auto mode? Please give an honest answer and reflect upon that.

Most professional photographers don't have an 'auto' mode on their camera. They do, however have a Programmed Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. As far as how many use an automated mode on a routine basis, I would say, on the low end, probably 80%.

For instance, I shot a wedding last night. Never took the camera off manual, but for the majority of the reception, I was using bounced flash in TTL. Very much an automated mode. Did some shots at the fair last weekend...I believe I used Aperture Priority for a lot of it because it worked well in constantly changing conditions.

I'm not scared to give the camera some control over how my shots turn out, as long as I know how it's controlling what and can anticipate the results. Just my .02

Probably should have written "full auto". Or better yet, rephrased to "how many famous photographers have no idea how their camera work".

 

[pen]

Why do race car drivers what to change gears when they could be driving an automatic with the cruse control on?

Answer, they are looking to go faster then the car can drive itself.

 

[e.rose]

Is this STILL going?! After this whole weekend and this thread is still growing?

TL;DR

 

[Iron Flatline]

I haven't read all the parts of this thread. BUT: You don't have to learn all that stuff to take pictures. However, you need to learn it if you want to be a photographer.

 

[Terry Leach]

Is this STILL going?! After this whole weekend and this thread is still growing?

TL;DR

I don't know which amazes me more, that this thread is still growing or that I just sat and read all 12 pages of it.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture... The holy trinity of photography.

Nope, not important at all. :lmao:

EDIT: Woops... didn't notice the date on this thread... sorry.

 

[Dao]

I haven't read all the parts of this thread. BUT: You don't have to learn all that stuff to take pictures. However, you need to learn it if you want to be a photographer.

Welcome back IRON. haven't seen you for a long while since that strange new (new back then) forum policy.