Light bulb went off

Fishwagon · Dec 1, 2012

Woohoo.....

After reading "Understanding Exposure", I spent the entire day in the park shooting plant, people, dogs running around, boats, etc.... with my brand new D5100

I don't know, once you understand Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, and the relationship between them, it's like the clouds parting, and the angels crying out in song, it was such a revelation!

I mean, I know I'm still a n00b, and no where near as experience as most of you, but it was such an eye opening experience for me...

I'll never put my camera on Auto again!! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Oh, and that book was one of the best books I've ever read that for explaining a topic.

Rich

FadeOut · Dec 2, 2012

Ya!

It is a great book, it really helps clear things up when you know how making the trinity work together to create certain pictures work.

I bet if you read the book again you will discover all sorts of different thing you missed, happened to me anyways...

Have fun with your new camera, I know I have been!

tirediron · Dec 2, 2012

Never say never!

It's great that you understand the exposure triangle; that's without a doubt one of the most important fundamentals in photography, however, Auto/Program has its uses. Contrary to popular belief, always shooting in Manual does NOT make on a better photographer!

SCraig · Dec 2, 2012

tirediron said:
Never say never! It's great that you understand the exposure triangle; that's without a doubt one of the most important fundamentals in photography, however, Auto/Program has its uses. Contrary to popular belief, always shooting in Manual does NOT make on a better photographer!

Tirediron's comment is a very important concept to understand as well. It is absolutely critical that a photographer learn how the exposure triangle works, and how shutter speed, ISO, and aperture relate to each other. It is critical to understand how to compensate for a change in one of the three and to understand the consequences and advantages of how that compensation takes place. It is not critical that a photographer shoot in manual all the time which is why even the most expensive professional cameras have automatic modes built into them.

Like many here I spent a long time shooting in manual because that's all there was. These days I do not feel compelled to shoot in manual unless I feel like it or the scene needs it.

JAC526 · Dec 2, 2012

I will use aperture priority quite a bit but once I understood how exposure works the only thing I've ever used P or Auto for is simple snapshots.

e.rose · Dec 2, 2012

yay! congrats!

That booked helped me a lot too!

pgriz · Dec 2, 2012

As we learn, we go through stages. First, auto everything. Then we start to understand what's behind all the technical mumbo-jumbo, and to show our mastery, we just to manual everything. Then we learn some more and find out that there's a time and place for everything. I shoot in whatever mode I have the best chance of getting the image I want.

Astronomie · Dec 2, 2012

You may have not intended to do so, but I think you have managed to express the state of mind that a lot of people are in. The sense of wanting to help, but not knowing how or where, is something a lot of us are going through.

Fishwagon · Dec 2, 2012

Yeah, spent another day putzing around, and I realize just how much I have yet to learn, but that's ok!!

John27 · Dec 3, 2012

I got the advice to force myself to use manual all the time, until I got to the point that it was a piece of cake, then I could use the semi-auto modes (Av, Tv). I pretty much stick to that advice, it really helps you learn. BUT, I am thankful for how good Canons full auto and semi-auto modes really are. When you have an awesome snapshot that you just don't have time to play with or setup (like seeing a deer in the backyard or a niece of nephew doing something cute). Stick it in auto and shoot. A slight off-exposure, not perfectly composed, less-than-flattering bokeh image (or whatever combo you might get) beats the socks off of a blown-out all white or totally dark unsalvageable photo!

texkam · Dec 3, 2012

Auto settings should be a tool not a crutch.

milinda · Dec 4, 2012

Fishwagon said:
Woohoo.....

After reading "Understanding Exposure", I spent the entire day in the park shooting plant, people, dogs running around, boats, etc.... with my brand new D5100

I don't know, once you understand Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, and the relationship between them, it's like the clouds parting, and the angels crying out in song, it was such a revelation!

I mean, I know I'm still a n00b, and no where near as experience as most of you, but it was such an eye opening experience for me...

I'll never put my camera on Auto again!! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Oh, and that book was one of the best books I've ever read that for explaining a topic.

Rich

Ya That book is great. I'm also reading it.

Regarding manual vs auto I think it should be a balance of both based on the context. Events like a party or a home event which you need to take few shots of the people and you are forced to do it quickly because you cannot ask people to wait, such conditions I guess Auto will help you a lot. Trying to do all manual you might miss certain things and even you will get fed up after a while.

But when you are into more professional stuff like taking landscapes, sports, wild life, street and so on yes manual is the best. That way will let you choose how you want to setup the DOF, action freeze etc.. which is more artistic stuff. And you will enjoy the time setting up the things manually once you see what you just came up with.

When I started my DSLR I also thought all manual but then I realized I need to pick what's the best for the situation.

After all, having such enthusiasm is good because I have seen people they just stick to auto which don't do a justice to the camera.

I hope you will go a great distance and good luck...:thumbup: