Photographers and Auto Modes

[snerd]

....... since most photographers today use some form of auto exposure the majority of the time.........

That's from a Canon article on using auto exposure lock. So, is that a generally true statement? Sometimes I feel like using Av mode to automate one variable, the S/S, but I feel guilty because so many say to leave it in Manual. How about when I shoot my grandson's football game next week? I know I can handle it on Manual, but wouldn't Av be a little quicker than me setting S/S? Just thinking these thoughts out loud..............

 

[Murray Bloom]

Some sports shooters may offer more informed opinions, but as long as there's plenty of light, I'd give Shutter Priority a shot. That way you'll be sure to freeze the action (unless you want an intentional blur). Even those who routinely shoot in manual will often set one parameter while adjusting exposure with the other.

Why would you feel guilty as long as you get good pictures? Using an auto mode doesn't make you any less of a photographer. Not understanding how the variables interact might, though.

 

[KmH]

The vast majority of DSLR owners are amateur photographers.

Mos use Auto or one of the semi-auto modes like Av and Tv.

Each shooting mode has it's +'s and -'s.

 

[snerd]

I think I misread the statement. I thought it referred to professional photographers. I didn't believe it. LOL!!

 

[curtyoungblood]

I think many more professional photographers use automatic modes (at least some times), than people want to admit. I also think that sports are one of the times that it makes a lot of sense to use them. As a general guideline, you're not shooting in really difficult (to meter) lighting situations, and cameras are pretty smart these days. There's also a good chance of players running in and out of shadows, which is a real pain in manual mode.

There are certainly still things you have to watch out for, and some things you need to do to control how the auto mode works, but if you can manipulate the camera in a way that gets you good photos then use an auto mode.

 

[imagemaker46]

Sports is one area that shooting auto is not necessary and usually not recommended. Conditions when shooting sports, especially under controlled light, exposures rarely change. Most sports require a fast shutter speed and usually an f stop between 2.8-6.3, depending on the light. When I shoot outdoors I shoot between 5.6-6.3 most of the time, as the light goes away I will shoot between 2.8-3.2.

 

[Trever1t]

....... since most photographers today use some form of auto exposure the majority of the time.........

That's from a Canon article on using auto exposure lock. So, is that a generally true statement? Sometimes I feel like using Av mode to automate one variable, the S/S, but I feel guilty because so many say to leave it in Manual. How about when I shoot my grandson's football game next week? I know I can handle it on Manual, but wouldn't Av be a little quicker than me setting S/S? Just thinking these thoughts out loud..............

Anyone who says to use only Manual settings for everything has no idea what they're talking about. There's a reason my tool box has more than one drawer.

 

[Overread14 2]

Learn how to use each mode - don't just try them actually learn how to use them properly and find out their advantages and disadvantages.

Then you can make the choice for yourself; whatever everyone else uses is a point of interest but honestly doesn't matter. F8, 1/400sec ISO 100 will get you the exactly the same shot in full manual as it will in full auto and all modes inbetween - the key is making sure you'll get the right settings for the shot you want in the conditions youre in and for your creative vision.

 

[KmH]

I think many more professional photographers use automatic modes (at least some times), than people want to admit.

When it comes to camera features, functions, and capabilities, professionals generally use those features, functions, and capabilities that deliver the best final results based on what they or the customer want.

For many older photographers that learned to do photography before cameras had computers in them, using manual mode is an autonomous action like breathing and requires little, if any, conscious thought.
Using the semi-automatic modes may be less automatic for those that shot manual mode for 20 or more years before owning a camera that had a computer in it.

 

[Murray Bloom]

Keith, rather than a camera with a computer in it, I tend to think of DSLRs as computers that happen to be shaped like cameras.

 

[imagemaker46]

....... since most photographers today use some form of auto exposure the majority of the time.........

That's from a Canon article on using auto exposure lock. So, is that a generally true statement? Sometimes I feel like using Av mode to automate one variable, the S/S, but I feel guilty because so many say to leave it in Manual. How about when I shoot my grandson's football game next week? I know I can handle it on Manual, but wouldn't Av be a little quicker than me setting S/S? Just thinking these thoughts out loud..............

Anyone who says to use only Manual settings for everything has no idea what they're talking about. There's a reason my tool box has more than one drawer.

I guess for the past 40 years I've been I've been doing this photography thing wrong then. But then I've never said for anyone to just shoot manual, I really don't care how anyone else does it. Whatever works for the individual. However making a statement that anyone who says to shoot only in manual doesn't know what they are talking about is just nonsense.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Darn I must be doing it wrong too, I shoot manual and focus manually shooting sports. I just know how to do it, I don't know if a lot people do, I suppose it depends on what/how you've learned. Probably the statement that most photographers shoot some form of auto could be true depending on what the article considers to be 'most' photographers.

 

[Murray Bloom]

A lot of people can focus manually, but modern gear sometimes gets in the way. DSLR focusing screens are a lot harder for critical focus than the split-prism screens on the Nikon F and F2 models that I cut my teeth on back in the 70s. Also, once you learn to use it properly, autofocus is just so damned fast with ultrasonic motor lenses.

 

[iolair]

I shoot manual when working with flashes, and otherwise shoot aperture priority.

Joe Buissink, wedding photographer to celebrities and producer of many *amazing* images, has confirmed that he uses 'P' mode - so no shame in not using manual.

For focusing, I generally use automatic except for macro - but do also shoot with three older manual-focus-only lenses (they are also manual aperture).

Learn how the different options perform, then use what works for you.

 

[SCraig]

I guess for the past 40 years I've been I've been doing this photography thing wrong then. But then I've never said for anyone to just shoot manual, I really don't care how anyone else does it. Whatever works for the individual. However making a statement that anyone who says to shoot only in manual doesn't know what they are talking about is just nonsense.

A lot of us here remember the old days before automatic modes. We were brought up on cameras with absolutely no metering whatsoever so it was either learn how to use manual or find something else to do because that was all we had. These days I'm perfectly happy to let my camera make some of the decisions for me, and I let the situation dictate which camera mode I need to use. Manual mode is just one of them, as are aperture priority and shutter priority.

It seems to me that being able to say that one "Shoots In MANUAL!" has become a badge of honor, especially among newer photographers. I see numerous posts here from people who recently got a camera and are already trying to make manual mode work for them and can't. They are disappointed and annoyed and wondering WHY they can't get decent photographs when the answer is simply that they are trying to do something that they don't know how to do.