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Still stuck in auto
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Oct 20, 2016 22:46:39   #
doreens61
 
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?

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Oct 20, 2016 23:02:12   #
dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma
 
there are several in a row to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHjJIxGU4PQ

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Oct 21, 2016 03:38:32   #
GWR100 Loc: England
 
Next step for you is AP-----------

Geoff
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?

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Oct 21, 2016 03:40:13   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
GWR100 wrote:
Next step for you is AP-----------

Geoff


Aperture Priority.

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Oct 21, 2016 06:04:52   #
Billyspad Loc: The Philippines
 
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?


When you say your an event and wedding photographer is this how you earn your living? Cos if your making as a photographer with it appears no knowledge of how to use your camera I would just stick with it! You have discovered the easiest way to make money I have ever heard of is so why complicate the issue?

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Oct 21, 2016 06:21:09   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
As a 'Wedding & Event Photographer' I thought you would have learned the technicalities of your camera equipment before setting out as a Professional. You have been lucky to muddle through, and not had an occasion where things had to be done / set-up manually, when 'Auto' had a malfunction. Been at it a long time? You must have been aware that your pictures could have been the only ones that clients were relying on for the special days event. Where did you do your training? I would expect any training course would have taught you the basics, before passing you out as a capable 'Photographer'.

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Oct 21, 2016 06:43:02   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
Subscribe to http://www.kelbyone.com and/or http://www.lynda.com Both have "full courses" right up your alley. Find a mentor in your area and join a "meetup group". Shoot everyday using aperture priority and manual priority. A good book is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", 3rd or 4th edition.
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?

Reply
 
 
Oct 21, 2016 06:56:30   #
Jim Bob
 
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?


I take it auto is not working for you. Just try some other modes in non-crititcal situations. It's that simple. Geesus.

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Oct 21, 2016 06:57:48   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event phoptgrapher that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?


Doreen, I would say that you'll need to figure out many things, and depending on your learning style, you may find books and video tutorials or a college course helpful, or you may find that learn best by trial and error. But if you really want to get into the big leagues fast and "really" learn what you need to know, then work with an established event photographer who's work you admire. If you are somewhat competent, I'm sure you can find someone who will take you on. It doesn't have to be someone in your location - I tutor people across the US online.

But, as many will tell you, it's not about your gear, it's about timing, organization, learning how to leverage your camera's features to get the results you are looking for.

As far as getting out of auto, I suggest that read everything you can on the Zone System. Then you set the camera to manual exposure, use the spot meter to read narrow areas of your scene, and see how that works for you. I would not suggest you try this on your next job. But I would suggest you go out and take pictures of birds at a park, particularly those with bright white and dark plumage - not at all unlike a bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tux. Use the spot meter to measure the white stuff. More than likely your pictures will be dark if you do that. However, if you open up the lens or lengthen the exposure by one stop, you'll find you'll be getting more acceptable results. The key is to find exactly how much more exposure you need to add when you read the bride's white dress, or the bird's white feathers before you start to lose detail in those areas.

You ought to be recording your images as raw files, using a decent raw converter like Capture One or Lightroom/Photoshop, and learning some fundamental post processing techniques to get you going towards the next level.

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Oct 21, 2016 07:00:04   #
Jim Bob
 
Gene51 wrote:
Doreen, I would say that you'll need to figure out many things, and depending on your learning style, you may find books and video tutorials or a college course helpful, or you may find that learn best by trial and error. But if you really want to get into the big leagues fast and "really" learn what you need to know, then work with an established event photographer who's work you admire. If you are somewhat competent, I'm sure you can find someone who will take you on. It doesn't have to be someone in your location - I tutor people across the US online.

But, as many will tell you, it's not about your gear, it's about timing, organization, learning how to leverage your camera's features to get the results you are looking for.

As far as getting out of auto, I suggest that read everything you can on the Zone System. Then you set the camera to manual exposure, use the spot meter to read narrow areas of your scene, and see how that works for you. I would not suggest you try this on your next job. But I would suggest you go out and take pictures of birds at a park, particularly those with bright white and dark plumage - not at all unlike a bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tux. Use the spot meter to measure the white stuff. More than likely your pictures will be dark if you do that. However, if you open up the lens or lengthen the exposure by one stop, you'll find you'll be getting more acceptable results. The key is to find exactly how much more exposure you need to add when you read the bride's white dress, or the bird's white feathers before you start to lose detail in those areas.

You ought to be recording your images as raw files, using a decent raw converter like Capture One or Lightroom/Photoshop, and learning some fundamental post processing techniques to get you going towards the next level.
Doreen, I would say that you'll need to figure out... (show quote)

You don't need to shoot RAW to escape auto. Come on, man.

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Oct 21, 2016 07:08:48   #
Billyspad Loc: The Philippines
 
Jim Bob wrote:
You don't need to shoot RAW to escape auto. Come on, man.


This is a "photographer" we have here so I'm sure the OP knows all about RAW its just the functions of her camera that's causing a little confusion. I'm sure that's a regular event for a working pro huh. Probably thought those dials with letters on were for decoration? Easy mistake to make..........................

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Oct 21, 2016 07:12:13   #
Jim Bob
 
Billyspad wrote:
This is a "photographer" we have here so I'm sure the OP knows all about RAW its just the functions of her camera that's causing a little confusion. I'm sure that's a regular event for a working pro huh. Probably thought those dials with letters on were for decoration? Easy mistake to make..........................


I make no assumptions about what the OP knows. If you are clairvoyant or have the ability to read minds, more power to you. I was simply correcting misinformation. One does not need to shoot RAW to escape using auto. End of discussion.

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Oct 21, 2016 07:31:22   #
Jcmarino
 
How long have you been shooting? Are you serious about wanting to be a professional wedding photographer? I mean for years to come? What camera do you use? Do you want to be creative or just take snapshots? Do you use natural light or flash, other? Which should you use and why? Do your photos look like those in highly respected bridal magazines? Do you want them too? If this is something you want to so bad it hurts, then you will do whatever it takes to become the best at what you do.

I suggest you read all you can and go back to the basics, work as a second shooter until you feel comfortable with your camera and can move quickly through the settings and understand why you are choosing them. If you want to stay in this business professionally, you have to know your gear. How to, what to and when to use it and for weddings, and be quick about it. A lot of wedding photogs shoot in aperture priority for the ceremony. That is about as automatic as you should be. You need to be in control not the camera, so take that control. Let today be the first day of your new career, take a step back to become the photographer you dream to be. You will be amazed a year from now how far you have come. Never stop learning, practicing and enjoying your dream.

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Oct 21, 2016 08:10:28   #
Billyspad Loc: The Philippines
 
Jim Bob wrote:
I make no assumptions about what the OP knows. If you are clairvoyant or have the ability to read minds, more power to you. I was simply correcting misinformation. One does not need to shoot RAW to escape using auto. End of discussion.


Oooooh get you cowboy! Tell ya what our Jimmy Bob is a prickly little devil isn't he? Probably got bullied at school.......................

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Oct 21, 2016 08:13:03   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
doreens61 wrote:
I'm a wedding and event photographer that's still stuck in auto. Anyone have any ideas on some material out there or videos that will help me get out of auto?


I hope you are referring to a vocation and not an occupation. From the first time I picked up a DSLR I've never used the full AUTOMATIC or worse yet, GREEN MODE on my camera(s). I did once try placing a camera on Green but the setting the camera picked made no sense to me so I immediately switched back to Av (Pentax/Canon term) mode with out taking a shot. I most often shoot in Aperture Priority, Full Manual, and Shutter Priority modes, in that order. Depending on what I'm doing or how I'm feeling, I'll Manual Focus or use Auto Focus. This was after a few decades of shooting film with totally manual cameras or at least only having one simple form of AE (and no AF), 35mm to 8x10 film!

Event? I've shot musical performances in dimly lite bars and concert halls and believe me you can't shoot on AE/AF easily in such low light. I often brace myself against a door jam or post or something. And just pray they stop moving. I really don't like flash and neither do the performers.

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