SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Kid, that seems to fly in the face of about 90% of the discussions here...., but I agree!!!
SS

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm on the no side. All one has to know is the basics, f-stop, shutter, ISO and how they work with each other. I use manual mode 95% of the time. The rest of the features that came with the camera are fluff and, to me, a waste of money. Esthetically, one should pay attention to composition, but then that is not a technical issue.
--Bob

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Quote. "Most of the pics shot in manual, are worse than the ones shot in auto?" I shot only manual when SLR film cameras were King. I've heard some photographers say they prefer AF over MF. And will only buy AF lenses. But, it's not that difficult to manual focus, and get good pics. There are also hundreds of thousands of vintage lenses still in use today.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Yes, then you send it to Canikon, so those that DO know can work on it....., or we would fix it ourselves and not complain about how much it COST!!!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

That's what I REALLY wanted but it was taken!!!
SS

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

A pilot needs to know all the technical aspects of flying, controls, instruments, weather patterns and conditions, etc, but that alone does not necessarily make a pilot good. I think in photography, knowing and understanding your gear, the vagaries of exposure, being able to read the light, and of equal importance, and something you did not mention, and that is understanding the elements of design. Granted, some people know very little, but somehow, always manage to produce wonderful images. A gifted eye I would call it. And when I first met my wife she was that way. Shooting film with an AE-1 in full auto/program mode she produced some very remarkable images. Today, with much more technical knowledge under her belt, she produces even better images. She still has that "gifted eye" (which I often think it's something you're born with) but now she has a far better understanding of the technicalities of the camera, the lens, exposure, light, and of the overall composition. I think you need a good smattering of both to really be good at your craft. And there are those that know all about the technical stuff, yet have a hard time producing a memorable image. Maybe it's just a lack of imagination or creativity. I think being able to "see" is probably what's most important, we literally are surrounded by great photo opportunities everyday, everywhere...you just need to see them.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

A simple analogy....

An EMT is taught to do certain things for certain conditions. Basic Care. A Paramedic learns all of that plus more, and WHY they do it.

The EMT gets ~100+ hours of instruction, the paramedic 2000 hours of instruction.

Both save lives... but who has a better chance of saving you?

They both have varying levels of technology but need the knowledge to go with it.

I guess the same is true with photographers and their cameras.

Here is my position (fetal LOL):

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I like to learn everything about my camera and DOF, hyperfocal distance, etc..... But, I don't know if you NEED to know all of that.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Hey, I've been arraigned before, I just didn't realize it was because my photography was so bad!!! LoL
SS

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

IMHO I think this question has come up within just about all industries. I asked at least once why I needed to know performance practices for music from the Baroque period when I had no intention of playing all that much of it. Why do I have to learn all those rules that I'll never use just to get a Bachelor's degree...then Master's degree...and then it dawned on me that education and the assimilation of knowledge just doesn't hurt anything. It might actually come in handy. Since then, I have used the various bits of knowledge that I have accumulated over the decades to pretty good effect. Can you get by without understanding how things work and why? Sure you can...if you're lucky and fate doesn't throw you a curve. My granddaughter does a great job of driving and she doesn't have a clue what makes her car go, but she'll be fine without that information...until she gets a flat tire, tries to start the car with a dead battery, or happens to see all that green colored water on the ground when she back out of the driveway. Luck is a good thing when you have some...but, knowing sure comes in handy. AND, knowing where to look to get answers to big words like "WHY" can save you a lot of time and money over a lifetime. Talent is a great thing to have and it certainly helps to separate the great ones from the good ones, but knowledge, when combined with talent can be an unbeatable combination. It might not matter so much if you knew in advance what you were going to do in life and where you would be led from day to day. Trouble is, we don't know. In lecturing to young students about careers, I often ask if they know what they want to be. There are always hands that go up with confidence. I then tell them that I doubt they are even close to knowing what they will be and what knowledge they will require to get to their destination. My advice is to learn all you can about everything in which you are interested. It's liable to come in handy some day when you least expect it.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

As a retired 30+ yr FF/paramedic I find that an interesting analogy.

BebuLamar

He is a trained pianist and piano/music was the only formal training he had. He didn't have much in term of schooling except the music.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

SS wow what sensible outlook I agree 100percent! Let me just shoot and have fun!!!

jeffhendy Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

But understanding what the technology enables you and your camera to do probably helps you to take better pictures than if you don't understand it.
Such technologies as image stabilization, low light capability, panorama etc. were unknown until fairly recently.
Smaller lighter cameras enable us to take pictures that our fathers could only dream of. See BBC Blue Planet II
So while our artistic capabilities are paramount, our ability to use the technologies that our cameras offer surely helps.

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

The only thing that matters is the results of your efforts, the end product, the photo. You don't need to be a mechanic in order to drive a car. If you are getting the results that you want, so be it.