bentrider Loc: Mississippi

I've got a lot of questions, so here I go with my Post #2 on this Forum.

Which shooting mode do you use the most? I have a Nikon D7100. It features Programmed mode, Shutter mode, Aperture mode, and Manual. We don't even need to talk about Programmed, I think that's for beginners. I mainly use Aperture mode. But somewhere I read that to really learn photography, you should use Manual almost exclusively.

Of course, Shutter mode is the right one for certain situations, like freezing the action.

My D7100 also has a "Scenes" mode, but I also think that's for beginners or for situations where you don't have a lot of time.

What do you think?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The "you must use manual mode" advice is similar to you must shoot in raw (or conversely, never ever edit; it's cheating!), you must use a full-frame camera...on and on.

Whatever mode works for you and your situation at the moment is the right one. You already understand that the shutter controls motion blur, so kudos!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I almost always use Aperture mode. Keeping the aperture constant keeps the DOF constant and varies the shutter speed as needed. If I need to change the shutter speed I change the ISO, so the aperture stays the same.

I do a lot of shots that need a quick response. I don't think letting the camera do the exposure is the mark of a beginner. The important things in photography are more like composition, attention to background details and color, timing of the shot, things like that.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I agree with DirtFarmer that composition and such things as understanding light are most important. As is often stated on this site, you can find a lot of boring images that have perfect exposure

Are you using aperture mode because depth of field is most important in your images? Such as landscapes or flowers? What do you like to shoot most often?

bentrider Loc: Mississippi

What's the DOF, dirtfarmer? And when you change the ISO to keep the aperture constant, to what do you change it? Like from 100 to 200?

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I shoot raw and mostly use manual mode. I often use auto ISO in manual, my camera allows for this. As stated, use whatever mode suits the situation and makes you comfortable with your photos. Try experimenting - you'll find what works for you.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I have a D7000. I like to pick my own aperture and shutter speed. In bright light I keep the iso at 100 for the least noise. But I have found in low light if I have already lowered the shutter speed and opened the aperture to the max, I go with auto iso up to 6400. Otherwise, even if I have the popup flash, the autofocus won't work if the iso isn't set to auto.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Strongly suggest you get a copy of Bryan Peterson's book, "Understanding Exposure" - about $15 in paperback from Amazon (or $16 in the Kindle version) that will help answer many of the concerns in this post and your previous post. /Ralph

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I grew up with film back in the 70's. I used a 35-135 zoom lens most of the time. Concerned with shake, I used shutter speed priority. There was no auto ISO with film. When using flash I used manual, as that was the way to get the exposure right. I tend to do the same today. Old dog, old habits.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I'm not a Nikon user, but on most Canon systems there is a full auto mode that equates to your 'for beginners' comment.

Program mode does begin to give some degree of user control and can be useful in very dynamic situations. If also used with raw allows for better flexibility than with JPEG when processing the images.

You seem to understand the issues of making aperture - DOF - or shutter speed - freezing motion - the dominant automation mode.

Other issues such as focus points, metering modes, ISO selection all come into play with auto modes before going to fully manual.

I very seldom use any of the scene modes, but they can be useful on occasion. Personally I think you have a very good grasp of the basic situation. It depends upon a balance of the situation, how much control you can or wish to exercise, and how much time you have available for any specific image. A modern digital camera can react much faster than a person can. If the time is available, a good photographer can frequently achieve a better result than the camera may choose, but setting the auto modes within an appropriate set of parameters frequently delivers better results than full manual settings which takes a lot of skill. With manual you need to understand what each setting will deliver.

I would keep doing what works for you. You seem to be on the right path and asking the right questions, but a decent book that explains the concepts would be a good investment. There is lots to learn, but it is usually an enjoyable journey.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I use aperture priority when my camera is on a tripod because I want to control the DOF and I don't really care about the shutter speed. When off the tripod I use aperture unless the shutter speed is an issue (BIF, waterfalls, etc) in which case I will switch to shutter priority or keep a close eye on the shutter speed. I rarely use auto ISO because its too easy to get careless about the important settings. I spent many years in manual (there was no choice!) and the auto exposure feature came as a welcome development. I still use manual when the lighting is such that the auto exposure isn't giving me the exposures I want. I often find that the exposure meter in the camera is less than ideal so I use a hand held meter.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I think people should use whatever mode allows them to get the shot they are wanting. There should be no right or wrong. I know several who use P mode and it works quite well for them. I also know there are times when auto or scene modes can get some terrific images. Composition and lighting are important, but there are many ways one can get there.

However, because I shoot a lot of birds, I usually use manual or shutter mode. But when shooting flowers, landscapes, etc. will often use aperture mode. When I had my beloved SX 50, I used HQ Burst mode. Just depends on the camera at hand and what my subject is.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Shutter for wildlife
Aperture for stills / landscape

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I guess I use Aperture Priority the most so I can control the Depth of Field, but I also use Shutter Priority when I want to freeze or show motion.
I use Manual when I want a specific Aperture and a specific Shutter Speed for some reason. In many of those cases I will also use Auto ISO.
I agree with the suggestion of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure".