mrlighteyez Loc: Somewhere on Earth

First, this is my very first post onto the UHH forum and I want I want to say that I value everyone's opinion on here and thank you all for making me a better photographer. Now onto my dilemma:

I mainly shoot weddings, portraits, newborns, kids, etc. and I almost always try and shoot in manual. I fell in love with photography and learned the craft on a 35mm where everything was manual and I try and keep this same way of photographing now with digital. However, when I shoot weddings and anything that requires constant adjusting of light, people moving, scene changing, etc I find it so incredibly hard to stay in manual mode. I always have good intentions to begin with, and midway find myself switching to Av or P if I'm truly trying to catch a series of photos quickly. So my question is this...How do you guys and gals shoot manual when the scene requires you to constantly adjust and check metering? Is there something I can improve on while in manual mode that would make every shot clear, sharp, and metered correctly?

I appreciate any and all feedback.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

your "dilemma" is exactly what separates the levels of photographers. the way to cross that bridge is to learn your camera, practice, practice, practice...learning how to use light, learning how to compensate for difficult lighting situations, practice, practice and more practice.

most cameras today have pretty good light metering systems...so learning how to use it is another big plus. learning exposure compensation and even flash compensation for those tricky lighting situations.

since you have experience...you will pick up these tips and tricks right here on this forum. there are some awesome pros that hang out here and offer great advice and share their knowledge. you are in the right place, for sure.

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Man do I have a few incredible thoughts, but you will need to call me. Too much to write. I have taken wedding photo a long time. I have discovered a few things that WORKS. Call me anytime at 309-748-0827 Have a note pad ready. I'll tell you the very same thing I tell my students. You asked a very good question. Smile

Canon 450D - f/4 - 1/60 - 400 ISO

mrlighteyez Loc: Somewhere on Earth

I will definitely give you a call. I appreciate any an all help I can get to better my craft. I live in PA so the phone number will be a 717 number. Talk to you soon....and thanks again!

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

your photo is beautiful!!!

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Thank you Jim! Here are the rest of them if you would like. http://www.cokerphotos.com/galleries

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'd have two questions:

1.) What wedding requires "constant" adjustment of light because people move?

2.) do you use a hand held light meter?

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

wow...very nice site with billions of great photos!! very nice work!!!
thanks..

mrlighteyez Loc: Somewhere on Earth

I am not saying that due to the people moving, that this is causing the light to change and be different. If you were photographing a scene and wanted to take several shots from different angles and do so fast as you simply can't tell people to stop what they are doing (if you are shooting photojournalistically of course) in order to meter the shot to get a correct exposure and sharp photo.

And I am not using a handheld meter. I am using the internal metering system inside my Canon 60D. If I had to add an outside meter on top of everything else, I would get next to nothing!

I guess I should rephrase what I am asking. I feel that I am pretty good photographer, but I want to be a great photographer. I understand that you never stop learning as the craft is ever changing. I simply want to take the style of potography that I do which is more story telling or photojournalistic and make it easier so that I can get those shots that I get with using a preset or Av or P with manual. I want to know if there is something I can improve on to help notice changes effectively.

The below photos were eventually taken with Av except the first photo. That was manual because I had time to "set up" the photo in my lens and do what I wanted it to do. The polaroid is a PP effect. The 2nd and 3rd photo were Av becuase I didnt have time to set it up the way I wanted to do to limited time.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I guess I should rephrase what I am asking. I feel that I am pretty good photographer, but I want to be a great photographer. I understand that you never stop learning as the craft is ever changing. I simply want to take the style of potography that I do which is more story telling or photojournalistic and make it easier so that I can get those shots that I get with using a preset or Av or P with manual. I want to know if there is something I can improve on to help notice changes effectively.

The below photos were eventually taken with Av except the first photo. That was manual because I had time to "set up" the photo in my lens and do what I wanted it to do. The polaroid is a PP effect. The 2nd and 3rd photo were Av becuase I didnt have time to set it up the way I wanted to do to limited time.[/quote]

Ok...I understand.

Here is my take on it.

The issue is mainly the metering. The camera changes it's mind depending on where it's pointed because it's measuring reflected light....and so you feel that the light is changing...but really it's not...the meter is perceving the light changing...the actual exposure is not.

For example...you are in a room where people are walking around and as long as the lighting is constant, then all you have to do is aim and focus...and shoot.

No reason to change exposure...black tux, white dress..it's all the same in reality....only the camera gets fooled.

Now...back lighting or some other situation..that's a different story.


The ONLY thing that would cause you to constantly change and check the metering is that the light ACTUALLY IS changing...and if you used a meter, then you'd find that it really isn't most of the time...

Personally, I wouldn't be without a meter...it's taken a lot of stress off of my photography...I KNOW that the exposure is correct no matter what my camera is saying. :)

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I don't use a meter either, I've learned how to expose my camera using a combo of the in-camera metering system, hight light blinkies and my histogram. Works for me.

Now saying that... the samples you have posted, you're whites are really blown. Do you look at your histogram while shooting or even have it open when you are doing your PP work?

I do like the posing and props, very creative!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I use auto a lot! (Aperture preferred) But I also know what my camera is doing and know when to override it.
I've been a pro since the 70's so I know what it's like to use a view camera, medium format, a meter, manual flash, prime lenses and crop factors were not in the vocabulary..... Use what works but learn your camera. I also don't use raw all the time.

mrlighteyez Loc: Somewhere on Earth

I thank you for that Rpavich....I guess I never looked at it as the light int he room is constant. I assume that since these companies make these expensive cameras with onboard metering tools that they obviously know what they are talking about. I know there are situations that require you to ignore what the meter says. Like sunsets, backlighting, reflections, etc...but its really hard not to pay attention to it especially when you are photographying a wedding where they've paid thousands of dollars for this one day. I am perfectionist and want the best product to be displayed and this has been something that I have tried to master and I keep getting caught up. I thank everyone for there input and advice!

mrlighteyez Loc: Somewhere on Earth

Honestly I don't use the histogram....When I have done this in the past it tends to make the photos look dull and not bright. I guess i go by eye which I guess is not the way to go :?

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

How is the histogram making your photos look dull and not bright? I think you might not have an understanding on how to read your histogram correctly.

It looks like you tend to lean toward light and bright images, so do I, especially when using natural light. It is tricky to get the look you want without blowing out details, but it is possible, you just have to really learn how far you can push the exposure in camera before you are at the point of no return.

I see you are using a 60D, it has the highlight alert feature, turn it on. Your blown areas will blink, giving you a warning that you have over exposed (a must when working with white wedding dresses) and allow you to adjust your settings without the loss of detail.