Programme Mode on Holiday: I recently returned from a 2-week holiday of a lifetime. I took about 5000 pictures, although, sifting through them, am already down to 4220. I was...

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

I recently returned from a 2-week holiday of a lifetime. I took about 5000 pictures, although, sifting through them, am already down to 4220. I was determined to take the perfect pics and put my camera straight on Aperture priority. On the first morning tour, there I was fiddling with aperture, exposure etc and didn't have a clue what the guide was talking about as was so engrossed with the camera. I even had to run to catch up with the group. After a couple of hours, I realised I was missing out on all the beautiful scenery and the history of the place so I suddenly said "sod it" and put my camera on Programme mode with ISO100. Because in the first week I was in the desert, my lens had trouble autofocusing sometimes so I put it on Auto and was fine. Have some good photos (and many bad ones) but as "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", I'm happy with them and have a lovely record of the places visited. I'm also saving up to buy a bridge camera (probably the P900 as I don't shoot Raw). There were a couple of people on the tour with this Camera and were taking really good pictures and they didn't have 3 kgs hanging round their neck (I'm only 5'2" and with a backpack on my back as well, it was very tiring walking in the dry heat). Also you miss out a lot when you spend your time behind a viewfinder. I think I will leave playing with camera modes when I'm out for the day solely to take photos. Am I wrong in this thinking?

BebuLamar

I think you're right! I guess that you travelled alone? I think if you get a companion and make him take all the pictures that way you can enjoy the trip and have your pictures.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It’s a challenge when you’re a photographer to put down the camera and “be in the moment” and experience it, recording it your memory, instead of digitally (or on film). When my youngest son was born, I took the advice of a local well-known professional and handed my camera (on auto) to the nurse and immersed myself in the experience. She took some excellent shots, which I have, but the best ones are recorded in my brain.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

Bebu I was with a female friend who's also into photography. She persevered more than me with aperture/shutter priority/bracketing/exposure compensation....and her photos weren't any better than mine. In the end, she too gave up and went to Programme and Auto. I was in San Pedro De Atacama (North Chile) and Easter Island. Places which have been on my bucket list for many years and I know will never go again so wanted to soak up all the scenery and history. When I sort all my pics, might put some on the Photo Section of this site if I think they're decent....

BebuLamar wrote:

I think you're right! I guess that you travelled alone? I think if you get a companion and make him take all the pictures that way you can enjoy the trip and have your pictures.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

You're so right TriX...sometimes the best shots are ones taken on Auto. I took loads of pics with my Samsung Galaxy S6 which has an excellent camera.
Actually the scenery wide-angled shot came out much better than my camera...and very sharp.

TriX wrote:

It’s a challenge when you’re a photographer to put down the camera and “be in the moment” and experience it, recording it your memory, instead of digitally (or on film). When my youngest son was born, I took the advice of a local well-known professional and handed my camera (on auto) to the nurse and immersed myself in the experience. She took some excellent shots, which I have, but the best ones are recorded in my brain.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

You are so right in using the Programme modes when you are on holiday.....YOU are on holiday!!!
Plenty of time to practice later

point is you have over 4000 memories! If 1:100 are good enough to print and frame - you probably can't hang them all....plus you would bore your friends.
If 1:1000 are fantastic - you can beam a smile at those who admire them - and tell them you have a lot more good ones too!

There are times when quantity is far better than quality.

The trick is understanding 'when that is'.

be happy - plan your next trip

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

I normally put about 40 pics on Facebook for my friends to see....anymore would be very boring. I'd like to plan my next trip but I'm "skint"!!!

G Brown wrote:

You are so right in using the Programme modes when... (show quote)

BebuLamar

Well it's kind of difficult I think. But I think you need to be able to take pictures faster so that you have time to enjoy the trip and have your pictures too. I think it's not easy but in time I think you will get better.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

That’s the thing I dislike about group tours - everything is os rushed that there’s just no time to enjoy the scenery, take decent photos and enjoy. Nope, it’s come this way, look quick, back on the bus, rush to the next spot, off the bus, look quick, back on the bus, etc. My wife loves them though, and I love her, so I put up with it.

Walt

BebuLamar

Whuff wrote:

That’s the thing I dislike about group tours - everything is os rushed that there’s just no time to enjoy the scenery, take decent photos and enjoy. Nope, it’s come this way, look quick, back on the bus, rush to the next spot, off the bus, look quick, back on the bus, etc. My wife loves them though, and I love her, so I put up with it.

Walt

My wife is the same and she drags me along (I much rather stay home) just for the purpose of taking pictures for her. So while not getting paid I think I am a pro on those trips.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Grace98 wrote:

I recently returned from a 2-week holiday of a lif... (show quote)

Until you get more accustomed to your camera Program mode works just fine quite often. About 6 years ago I put my bridge camera on the shelf and bought my first DSLR. We then left for a vacation in Bora Bora shortly thereafter. I used Program mode for almost all my shots and I got some great shots. More a testament to the photographic qualities of the place then to my skill as a photographer, I can assure you. Now, I use Manual or Aperture modes and have enough experience to shoot without a lot of searching for the proper settings. In short, familiarity with your camera counts for a lot in your ability to shoot and still be able to experience your surroundings. There is also a lot to be said for bridge cameras. Lighter, no need to carry extra lenses, and so forth. They have some limitations compared to a DSLR, but for vacation shooting I think they are the way to go.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use Program mode on my D7000 and I can quickly change shutter or aperture and the others will follow. I also put Auto-ISO on D1 for indoor without flash. For flash, I use Manual settings and let the TTL feature do its work.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Grace98 wrote:

I recently returned from a 2-week holiday of a lif... (show quote)

Excellent observations!

I have a friend who is 5' 2" (and yes, "eyes of blue"

). Just the other day she said, "I'm not short. I'm 5' 2". That's my height."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

It’s a challenge when you’re a photographer to put down the camera and “be in the moment” and experience it, recording it your memory, instead of digitally (or on film). When my youngest son was born, I took the advice of a local well-known professional and handed my camera (on auto) to the nurse and immersed myself in the experience. She took some excellent shots, which I have, but the best ones are recorded in my brain.

I've made videos of plays for local play groups, and doing that is nothing like attending the play itself. You can take pictures, or you can immerse yourself in the experience. It's probably like driving a car or driving and texting. You're not going to do either one right.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

I've made videos of plays for local play groups, and doing that is nothing like attending the play itself. You can take pictures, or you can immerse yourself in the experience. It's probably like driving a car or driving and texting. You're not going to do either one right.

That is why I recommend the OP to find a companion that can take pictures for her. My wife did just that. She enjoys the trip and had me doing all the pictures. I had to work under her directions and yet having to figure out how to do it myself. For example, take a picture of me half length and include that building in the background. Then I do it.