Settings: I have enjoyed all the photos that that have been summited. Being a amateur picture taker I would love for the people that summit photos to include the camera settings and...

MichaelM Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

I have enjoyed all the photos that that have been summited. Being a amateur picture taker I would love for the people that summit photos to include the camera settings and light conditions at the time the picture was taken. I think it would help many of us to improve our photography.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Many folks do, but you can always ask :) Also, if you see a link for "download" below the photo, you can get to the exif data that way (unless photographer has deleted).

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Even if they did, you wouldn't learn much from it.
The chances of shooting in the exact same scenario is close to null unless you are inside in the exact same spot shooting with the same gear at the exact same subject with no change in lighting.
The slightest change in lighting can make a big change to your settings.

My decision on what setting to use starts with my aperture, then shutter duration. My ISO is always at 100 to start and only raise it when my shutter gets too slow for the shot.
I also shoot in RAW format which I can make changes to in Aperture (my photo program).

LiveView can be a good tool to determine a starting point.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

MichaelM wrote:

I have enjoyed all the photos that that have been summited. Being a amateur picture taker I would love for the people that summit photos to include the camera settings and light conditions at the time the picture was taken. I think it would help many of us to improve our photography.

There is a great variation in lenses, sensors, lighting and colors - all of which affect the final picture. I should think you can improve your photography more by choosing your own settings than by copying others'.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Hi Mike,
One of the hardest components to learn is light - how to recognize and utilize the ambient light...

Here are a couple of links that might (pardon the pun) "shed some light" on the subject ;)

Everyone should have this committed to memory Sunny 16 rule

Understanding Exposure by Picture Correct More tips and tutorials...
How to best utilize your cameras metering mode
The Ultimate Exposure Computer A Guide for Nature Photographers

Hope this helps...

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

BigBear wrote:

Even if they did, you wouldn't learn much from it.... (show quote)

I agree, but only to a point.

I found it extremely helpful when others shared their settings for the Canon sx50 when I first got it. Especially how they shot BIFs and close ups of flowers, etc.

I am a novice photographer and had only used Nikon DSLRs for the past few years. The settings I used for my Nikon did not work at all for the sx50. (Manual and sports modes usually). Without the help of others on this site and the Canon forums of DPReview I would have been completely lost for a long time. And yes I did read the manual. ;)

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

One thing I've found helpful is to use one of the preprogrammed scene modes, take a picture and if it's close to what you want, look at the settings the camera chose, switch over to A, S or M mode and feed in the same settings as a starting point. Then you can tweak from there to get creative. Let the little computer in your camera help you to learn. The auto modes are right or at least close most of the time...

Judy1900 Loc: Brasstown, NC

I agree 100% with MrPC. When I started using my first DSLR I would choose the auto setting, take a picture, then switch to manual with the same settings and experiment from there to see what happened changing the f stop, shutter, ISO etc. I would then put all those photos in my computer and compare them with the properties showing so I could tell how the same scene changed with the different settings. Learned from that faster than books or classes because I could see the changes and why they happened. Made my brain remember because I was doing it, over and over and over and occasionally still do it if I have a situation I'm not sure of.

Mr PC wrote:

One thing I've found helpful is to use one of the preprogrammed scene modes, take a picture and if it's close to what you want, look at the settings the camera chose, switch over to A, S or M mode and feed in the same settings as a starting point. Then you can tweak from there to get creative. Let the little computer in your camera help you to learn. The auto modes are right or at least close most of the time...

gessman Loc: Colorado

Camera simulator at the following url offers an opportunity to use a practice camera, snapping a pic by pressing the big button on the right. You can see the results of changing the iso, aperture, shutter speed, etc., and see the results of the changes immediately on your monitor without snapping a pic or having to get it in your computer to view and study it. If you use it seriously it may be the best tool for learning settings. Just make changes and watch the screen for the results of your actions. You can change lighting, there's action for you to experiment with, and if you are going to learn it, you can do it here the same as in your camera:

http://camerasim.com/apps/camera-simulator/

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

gessman wrote:

Camera simulator at the following url offers an op... (show quote)

Very good suggestion...it works great.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

MichaelM wrote:

I have enjoyed all the photos that that have been summited. Being a amateur picture taker I would love for the people that summit photos to include the camera settings and light conditions at the time the picture was taken. I think it would help many of us to improve our photography.

If they click on "store original" most of the data is there. With Windows down load and right click then click on properties. It will also show the time of day.
It would be great if sun or cloud info was shared. David

MichaelM Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Thanks a million!!

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

BigBear wrote:

Even if they did, you wouldn't learn much from it.... (show quote)

On the contrary, you learn the lens, the camera, the aperture, the shutter speed and how those things relate to the DOF and any creative movement blur or sharpness of the image.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

MichaelM wrote:

I have enjoyed all the photos that that have been summited. Being a amateur picture taker I would love for the people that summit photos to include the camera settings and light conditions at the time the picture was taken. I think it would help many of us to improve our photography.

Get an EXIF viewer. That's what I use...most people leave that information in their files.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I look at the EXIF as a reference, but not a recipe.
Reason being, the light is the fleeting property of the data. Can't replicate the actual light, usually.
If you just want to see the exposure, ISO, and F stop for a guesstimate, well OK.
Have fun!