aisajib Loc: Dhaka, Bangladesh

I've been noticing lately that a lot of pros use Aperture priority mode when shooting outdoors. I'm not a blind followers of pros without any reason, and that's why I began to investigate why they shoot A mode most of the time.

It's obvious. It saves them time. Instead of having to figure out the exposure from three settings, using A mode allows them to use only two. (One if ISO is set to auto.).

However, I began using full manual mode despite the repeated failure to get the exposure right in the first few shots because I thought I was learning. "Over time, guessing the camera settings depending on the lighting condition becomes a second nature," I read somewhere.

But the other day I noticed, it's not happening. The light is so different and versatile that at the same place at the same time but in different days, the lighting changes. So does the camera settings. So ultimately, I'm relying on the camera's light meter to determine whether the shot is well exposed or not. I try to keep the lightmeter in the middle on the first shot, look at the back LCD, and then tweak shutter speed or ISO if required.

Lately it's bugging me, am I wasting my time? Indoors, I can't shoot in any auto because I use a Yongnuo manual flash and the camera seems to not know that the flash exists. So it exposes for the ambient light bumping up ISO to the highest or slowing down the shutter speed. So in indoors, I always shoot manual. Keep shutter speed between 80-100 and ISO within 400, and I change the aperture according to the flash (distance of the subject, flash power, etc).

But outdoors, that problem is non-existent. So I'm wondering, is there any reason why I should continue shooting in full manual and not semi-automatic?


Also, do you guys use auto ISO? I shoot manual ISO but I'm wondering if that's another area where I'm wasting my time. I'm just looking for your opinion -- professional or personal, between shooting full manual and semi-automatic.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I very rarely move my setting from Manual.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I keep my ISO at least 200 or lower. The higher the ISO the more noise you will get and it shows up most in the dark areas of the photo.
I normally shoot just manual, but when I shoot collegiate football, rugby etc and part of the field is in shadows I go to aperture priority.
Set the camera so you get the pictures you need. No one is going to know or care how you shot it. Manual is preferred so you have the most control over the camera. In the studio I only shoot manual, 100 ISO.
Always do a custom white balance if you shoot jpg

Jimbo9948 Loc: Zephyrhills, Florida

Shooting in manual is, if nothing else, a great learning tool for your photographic knowledge and skills. You also get to appreciate what the camera is doing for you in other modes.

I cannot speak for others, but being a pro sports photographer shooting in "A" priority allows me to control depth of field for any series of shots. Any "action" type photography does not allow time for last minuet manual changes before shooting so I have to allow the camera to make at least one stetting for me.

JPL

I often use Aperture priority. I often use manual everyting, I rarely use full auto ISO, like to use either manual ISO or auto ISO within a limited ISO range. The only exception is when I am using my phone to take pics in full daylight, then I am ok with auto ISO.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I'm no professional, in fact I'm basically barely above beginner but I shoot in aperture priority 95% of the time. When outdoors I set the ISO on 100 if sunny, up to 400 if cloudy. Indoors I generally set ISO to auto. This works for me as a general rule but of course lighting will determine the settings and aperture setting will affect it as well. With that said, I still struggle with exposure when lighting changes quickly.

Walt

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Dont depend on the LCD display. But if you use it make sure you go into your camera settings and adjust the brightness of the screen. If your screen is too bright or too dark, and you adjust your exposure so the image in the screen looks good, all of your pictures will be under or overexposed.
The best bet is to depend on your histogram to let you know if the pictures are exposed properly.
If you set your ISO on automatic you can get a wide range of ISO settings outdoors. So watch out for that.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

After having said all of that, I sometimes have to set my ISO at 12,000 for night time shooting so that I can get a fast shutter speed. But then I run the entire shoot through a program called Dfine to remove as much noise as possible and it does a great job.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Only you can decide the preferred mode to shoot. Depending on what I'm shooting I will use Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Programed, or Manual.

For example, if I am shooting a sporting event birds in flight, or anything where I want a fast shutter speed, I will use shutter priority.

If I am shooting portraits, or anything where depth of field (or lack of depth of field) is important, then I go to aperture priority.

Sometimes, I will use the Program mode when I have time to make a decision when I shoot.

For Close Up photos, and when the camera is on a tripod, I will typically use Manual mode.

I think there is no one answer, It depends on you, what you are shooting, and the effect you want in your photograph.

aisajib Loc: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Thanks guys for your inputs. When shooting portraits outdoors, is there any downside of shooting in aperture priority (with and without auto ISO)?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

For anything moving I almost always use Aperture Priority. For static shots I prefer Manual mode.
I never use Auto ISO, but do use Auto WB often as in the newer Nikons it is extremely accurate.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The subject comes up often on UHH and I usually read the responses with interest because I've always shot in aperture priority (setting my own ISO, and using exposure compensation, if needed), and still haven't found any benefit to manual - except for rare instances of tricky exposure, such as shooting a full moon rise at sunset.

I agree with those who've said that you should just go with what works for you. Why make a chore out of something that can be so joyful? :)

Chinasea Loc: Long Island N.Y.

Once you go manual..you won't look back...I use A mode when I need grab shots..I always shoot raw to correct later..I get con sistent reliable shots always in Manual..exposure comp////or bracket for your choice of shote..hope this helps.

aisajib Loc: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Why so? Is camera 'that' brilliant in determining a shutter speed that can freeze the moving subject?

I use a Nikon D3100 that came out forever ago :P but it's a good camera. It doesn't get auto white balance right all the time, but I shoot raw so post processing can fix this. :)




I don't know I guess I"m too concerned over 'whether I'm doing it inefficient.' ;)



I have no regrets shooting manual either. I just suddenly thought whether shooting manual all the time is an inefficient way. Thanks for sharing your tip.

johnmowry Loc: Northern Indiana, USA

I found that with a Canon flash on my camera, the TTL flash exposure only works in the "P" (program) mode, and not in "A" or "T". You might try that.