Does shooting in Auto or semi auto make you lazy?
Mar 20, 2015 12:56:18 #
My old Blazer finally died and I drive a Jeep now. It won't let me lock my keys in my car ... well I haven't locked my keys in the car for over 25 years ... but in the last week I've almost locked them in three times. My Jeep reminds me when I need gas, when I need an oil change ... it's a smart Jeep. While I like these features, I wonder if it is making me less disciplined ... I think so. I found myself creating an analogy of this to photography. Does relying on your camera to pick your shutter speed or your aperture .. or letting it automatically bracket your shots make you less aware of how you are shooting something and less likely to think about how you want the photograph to look when you are done? Do you just mindlessly let the camera give you the right exposure without thinking about if that is the exposure you want? There are several correct exposures for every situation .. the camera picks one.
Because I shoot in manual, I check my settings before I go anywhere with my camera. I am keenly aware of where they are at. I know what I am going to shoot. Yes, there are times when an opportunity arises and I have to change the settings that I had when I left home, but I know where they are at and I can do it quickly. I know where I want them for different situations most of the time. If I don't, it's a day that I learn something.
I wonder if the attitude that the camera will just do it for you permeates into other areas of photography. Does the photographer get more lax about framing. Does he go out with no idea what he would like to shoot that day? Does he forget to use shutter speed and aperture creatively?
Many people say working in aperture priority, shutter priority, or even in program or auto makes them a better photographer. They say that not having to think about the exposure settings so much frees up their thoughts so they can concentrate on framing. I'm not so sure about this. I think the way you expose for a subject is part of the framing.
Because I shoot in manual, I check my settings before I go anywhere with my camera. I am keenly aware of where they are at. I know what I am going to shoot. Yes, there are times when an opportunity arises and I have to change the settings that I had when I left home, but I know where they are at and I can do it quickly. I know where I want them for different situations most of the time. If I don't, it's a day that I learn something.
I wonder if the attitude that the camera will just do it for you permeates into other areas of photography. Does the photographer get more lax about framing. Does he go out with no idea what he would like to shoot that day? Does he forget to use shutter speed and aperture creatively?
Many people say working in aperture priority, shutter priority, or even in program or auto makes them a better photographer. They say that not having to think about the exposure settings so much frees up their thoughts so they can concentrate on framing. I'm not so sure about this. I think the way you expose for a subject is part of the framing.
Mar 20, 2015 12:59:37 #
No, just careless*. There is more than exposure when capturing a scene.
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* As you illustrate with your car keys example... My car (older) just does not let me. It will not lock if you do not use the key from the outside. Same thin it is so old one has to be sick or a collector to steal the damned thing(s).
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* As you illustrate with your car keys example... My car (older) just does not let me. It will not lock if you do not use the key from the outside. Same thin it is so old one has to be sick or a collector to steal the damned thing(s).
Mar 20, 2015 13:28:04 #
Nightski, you should know that it actually makes you smarter, as long as you know exactly when to use them!! :lol:
You had to multi-task(whatever THAT is), just to drive your Blazer. You have to look at it that your mind has now been freed up to perform other tasks instead of mundane task like "where are the keys".!!
It could be said that one goes to shooting manual because they are SO afraid to learn to use all of their cameras tech correctly at the correct time, thus screwing up a shot.
New cameras are extremely complicated to use them to their fullest, and most will never really learn to use them completely.
Consider that you are out shooting landscape, then it happens, a rare, endangered bird suddenly flies up and you realize what it is but your camera is on manual and there is NO way that you will get that shot metered and focused in 2 seconds so you miss the shot!! Was that being lazy? No, that was NOT using your camera to it's fullest. In one second you could have put your camera on the green square, leaving you 1 second to shoot the bird that you will never see again! There is a time to use EVERY setting/mode on the camera IF you know the settings forwards and backwards.
90% of all the shots I see here could have been shot better on Auto than whatever they were shot on without all the PP to FIX the mistakes made.
Nightski, when you start to concentrate on any given mode, you've stopped leaning.
The question for every shot should be, "What mode/setting will give me the best chance to successfully land this shot the BEST?", and go with that!! Just saying ;-)
SS
You had to multi-task(whatever THAT is), just to drive your Blazer. You have to look at it that your mind has now been freed up to perform other tasks instead of mundane task like "where are the keys".!!
It could be said that one goes to shooting manual because they are SO afraid to learn to use all of their cameras tech correctly at the correct time, thus screwing up a shot.
New cameras are extremely complicated to use them to their fullest, and most will never really learn to use them completely.
Consider that you are out shooting landscape, then it happens, a rare, endangered bird suddenly flies up and you realize what it is but your camera is on manual and there is NO way that you will get that shot metered and focused in 2 seconds so you miss the shot!! Was that being lazy? No, that was NOT using your camera to it's fullest. In one second you could have put your camera on the green square, leaving you 1 second to shoot the bird that you will never see again! There is a time to use EVERY setting/mode on the camera IF you know the settings forwards and backwards.
90% of all the shots I see here could have been shot better on Auto than whatever they were shot on without all the PP to FIX the mistakes made.
Nightski, when you start to concentrate on any given mode, you've stopped leaning.
The question for every shot should be, "What mode/setting will give me the best chance to successfully land this shot the BEST?", and go with that!! Just saying ;-)
SS
Mar 20, 2015 13:34:17 #
Sandra, I have been shooting photos since the very early
70s and have been through a wide variety of cameras, mostly Nikons. Oh how many shots did I miss because of fumbling around with settings. When you plan everything
out, it is great but when an unexpected opportunity pops
up you are just not prepared. Missed many a shot.
I make no excuses for shooting in auto mode, my pictures
turn out great and I do not miss many shots, all I have to
worry about is framing the picture, which I do quite well.
70s and have been through a wide variety of cameras, mostly Nikons. Oh how many shots did I miss because of fumbling around with settings. When you plan everything
out, it is great but when an unexpected opportunity pops
up you are just not prepared. Missed many a shot.
I make no excuses for shooting in auto mode, my pictures
turn out great and I do not miss many shots, all I have to
worry about is framing the picture, which I do quite well.
Mar 20, 2015 13:38:40 #
Rongnongno wrote:
No, just careless*. There is more than exposure when capturing a scene.
---
* As you illustrate with your car keys example... My car (older) just does not let me. It will not lock if you do not use the key from the outside. Same thin it is so old one has to be sick or a collector to steal the damned thing(s).
---
* As you illustrate with your car keys example... My car (older) just does not let me. It will not lock if you do not use the key from the outside. Same thin it is so old one has to be sick or a collector to steal the damned thing(s).
Ron, I drove my 1997 blazer for 10 years, replaced just about everything in it, insisted that we keep repairing it. It smelled, everything was falling apart, but I loved it. I never had to worry about getting it dirty. I took pride in driving that old thing around .. it was paid for! But when I found out about the keyless entry, that is when I was finally talked into giving up my old blazer .. I just love that I don't have to find my keys after I've been out tramping around in twenty below weather and I am about to freeze to death. All I do now is touch the handle and if my keys are anywhere on my body it opens up. It's what drew me into the dark side, Ron. :shock:
Mar 20, 2015 13:40:30 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Nightski, when you start to concentrate on any given mode, you've stopped learning.
The question for every shot should be, "What mode/setting will give me the best chance to successfully land this shot the BEST?", and go with that!! Just saying ;-)
SS
Nightski, when you start to concentrate on any given mode, you've stopped learning.
The question for every shot should be, "What mode/setting will give me the best chance to successfully land this shot the BEST?", and go with that!! Just saying ;-)
SS
This is the best reason anyone has ever given me to try shooting in other modes. LOL ... I guess I would expect nothing less of you SS.
Mar 20, 2015 13:42:55 #
ebbote wrote:
Sandra, I have been shooting photos since the very... (show quote)
I can't say that happens to me because I shoot in manual. I would say it has happened to me because I was still learning how to adjust my camera for a certain event, but then I was on top of it the next time. I miss more shots because I chose the wrong lens.
Mar 20, 2015 13:46:37 #
Well Sandra, when you get to 72 yrs. of age you will know
exactly what I am talking about.
exactly what I am talking about.
Nightski wrote:
I can't say that happens to me because I shoot in manual. I would say it has happened to me because I was still learning how to adjust my camera for a certain event, but then I was on top of it the next time. I miss more shots because I chose the wrong lens.
Mar 20, 2015 13:51:21 #
ebbote wrote:
Well Sandra, when you get to 72 yrs. of age you will know
exactly what I am talking about.
exactly what I am talking about.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive. I know .. I'm only 54 .. but things are changing .. so I do get it. My mom is 72! :-) Her mind is good .. but sometimes the body doesn't cooperate. She wishes she could keep up with me and go with on my photog trips. I may take her on a train ride one this summer. She's my biggest fan. LOL
Mar 20, 2015 13:52:44 #
Nightski wrote:
My old Blazer finally died and I drive a Jeep now.... (show quote)
When you are shooting something with rapidly changing conditions, like an event or sports, you don't have time to manually meter each shot, and you will get more good shots using one of the auto modes. If I am shooting a static subject, like a landscape or still life, I have time to carefully use manual settings, but if I need to shoot quickly, auto is the way to go.
Mar 20, 2015 13:54:10 #
I am with you on this one, Sandra. Everything has a gazillion automatic features anymore, many of them of questionable value while adding needless complexity. I want a tool to do my bidding, I don't want to be forced to learn how to do the bidding of the tool.
Mike
Mike
Mar 20, 2015 14:07:45 #
You do not have to apologize Sandra, you did nothing wrong, you are entitled to your point of view, which I fully
understand and I agree with, damn getting old.
understand and I agree with, damn getting old.
Nightski wrote:
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive. I know .. I'm only 54 .. but things are changing .. so I do get it. My mom is 72! :-) Her mind is good .. but sometimes the body doesn't cooperate. She wishes she could keep up with me and go with on my photog trips. I may take her on a train ride one this summer. She's my biggest fan. LOL
Mar 20, 2015 14:08:41 #
I shoot in aperture priority 95% of the time because I like to control the depth of field. I have also set my camera will not go below the shutter speed that I have set for the lens I am using and the ISO is as low as it can be to maintain the shutter speed. What more can you do in Manual? I also set the brightness, sharpness, vivid etc. settings in the camera menu. Do you do this or do you have to go to PP to fix it?
How do you know the light conditions before you leave your house? Even before there was any auto I could not do that. I think you are one of those that think the way I do it is best. I remember year or so ago someone asked a very beginners question and someone looked up his pictures and called him a troll because he was too good to asking such a question. Someone else looked up his pictures and saw the were all taken big green auto.
Don' t worry how other folks take there pictures. (unless you can learn from it) and just enjoy the results. - Dave
How do you know the light conditions before you leave your house? Even before there was any auto I could not do that. I think you are one of those that think the way I do it is best. I remember year or so ago someone asked a very beginners question and someone looked up his pictures and called him a troll because he was too good to asking such a question. Someone else looked up his pictures and saw the were all taken big green auto.
Don' t worry how other folks take there pictures. (unless you can learn from it) and just enjoy the results. - Dave
Mar 20, 2015 14:11:57 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
I shoot in aperture priority 95% of the time beca... (show quote)
Dave, when you are using aperture priority does it ever change the ISO for you, or does it exclusively adjust the shutter speed?
Oh .. I put my lens on and get it in the general setting for the light that day .. cloudy .. sunny .. dark .. whatever. I just need to be close. If I know I am going to shoot waterfowl I get my shutter speed where I want it and then thing about how much DOF I'm going to need for the size of the bird and adjust my ISO accordingly. Then I'll make compromises as need arises.
Mar 20, 2015 14:17:58 #
[quote=Nightski]Dave, when you are using aperture priority does it ever change the ISO for you, or does it exclusively adjust the shutter speed?
It is set to up the ISO when a lower ISO will not maintain the mininum shutter speed I have set. Of course this depends on the lens I have on the camera - Dave
It is set to up the ISO when a lower ISO will not maintain the mininum shutter speed I have set. Of course this depends on the lens I have on the camera - Dave
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