Maunual Exposure Discipline: For those who always shoot in manual. Referring to a recent photograph, please post your exact discipline from your decision to capture the scene or...

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

For those who always shoot in manual.
Referring to a recent photograph, please post your exact discipline from your decision to capture the scene or subject through to ready to display. Include a description of your intended "look" or "feel" for the finished image, the "story" you wished to covey to the viewer, how you decided on which lens to use, what aspects of the subject you took into account when framing, how you metered the scene and subject including foreground and background features, how you ensured that highlights and shadows remained contained within the camera's available dynamic range, which camera settings/trims you applied and finally your choice of aperture, shutter speed and ISO you settled upon including your reasons for same. Please include the applicable final image for our reference.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Huh?

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Whoa, I didn't know there was going to be a test. :!:

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

Boy you said a mouthful! Looking at manual metering I would say that is the best way to go for deliberate landscape work by far. Pick the aperture you want first for DOF, look at the light meter and pick a shutter speed that will be close, take a trial shot, look at the histogram, then fine tune the exposure using the shutter speeds at 1/3 stop at a time until the highlights are not blown out on the right side of the histogram. Now.... since you have the exposure locked in manually, you are free to bracket composition at will and the exposure will be correct. With any auto mode, when you bracket composition, the dumb light meter and auto mode will tell you that you need a slightly different exposure when you do not! Anyone know why?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

What? And give away my secret? Even if I wanted to answer this, I don't have the time. I've been doing this so long most of it is muscle memory.

I will say this, since I shoot people for the most part: I pick the light and background....then everything else. If those two are not right, the rest does not matter anyway.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Nikonian72 wrote:

Huh?

Don't "Huh?" me Mr. Nikonian72! Answer the question or you will forever be labeled as a finger-painter or even worse, as a Nikon photographer!

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Xtreme66 wrote:

Whoa, I didn't know there was going to be a test. :!:

Not a test at all.....but if you really ARE a true Manual photographer, who does not tolerate even moderate cropping, let alone any dishonest PP-ing, don't you go through that sort of ritual for every shot?

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

What is "Maunual Exposure" anyway?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I crop and I post process, so I am off the hook.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Nikonian72 wrote:

I crop and I post process, so I am off the hook.

I knew that, you are with me (or I with you).

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

winterrose wrote:

What is "Maunual Exposure" anyway?

Deliberate disrobing in public!

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

winterrose wrote:

Not a test at all.....but if you really ARE a true Manual photographer, who does not tolerate even moderate cropping, let alone any dishonest PP-ing, don't you go through that sort of ritual for every shot?

Oh, Well I guess that lets me off the hook too then :P

A very interesting exercise though. While I do shoot in Manual mode 99% of the time, I'm one of the purists that believe that you have to get every shot perfect in the camera. I find that's just not realistic.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Winter, when I shoot 4x5, I manage to go through all those steps. Pretty much skip the lens part since I usually only use one lens. I can't get the job done in 15 minutes. Usually takes more like a half hour.
Now with my puny DSLR, I can get perfect pictures on auto. But if I want the zen experience, I use aperature priority. If I'm shooting in the dark, I have to stupe to using the big M's or my camera won't shoot. And I use the exact order that you outline.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

SharpShooter wrote:

Winter, when I shoot 4x5, I manage to go through all those steps. Pretty much skip the lens part since I usually only use one lens. I can't get the job done in 15 minutes. Usually takes more like a half hour.
Now with my puny DSLR, I can get perfect pictures on auto. But if I want the zen experience, I use aperature priority. If I'm shooting in the dark, I have to stupe to using the big M's or my camera won't shoot. And I use the exact order that you outline.

Dear SharpShooter,
1. I too now shoot with a "puny" DSLR.
2. I suppose every shot I take is a potential Zen experience.
3. If I'm shooting in the dark I grab the D3.

And some thought I know nothing of shooting in Manual mode. Cheers, Rob.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

winterrose wrote:

For those who always shoot in manual. br Referrin... (show quote)

Years of photography comes as natural as changing gear in a car, learning from one scene to another