Shooting mode question (Page 2): I use Program mode except for flash. I take mostly snapshots and don't make much effort to plan the shot ahead or have a desire to set things up...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use Program mode except for flash. I take mostly snapshots and don't make much effort to plan the shot ahead or have a desire to set things up according to the conditions. Program lets me change the DoF or shutter speed or ISO if I want to with a simple turn of a dial or two. Change one and the others adjust accordingly. For me, it's like the older cars with automatic transmissions. You could just put it in Drive or shift from gear to gear. I always just used "D" unless some special situation came up. Same with Manual mode. It's there if I need it. Programme mod does a pretty decent job for me.

BebuLamar

windshoppe wrote:

Why would anyone purchase an expensive camera with all of that marvelous technology and then shoot exclusively in manual? Some of the comments above clarify the use of aperture and shutter priority. I'd recommend learning to work in all of the various modes. The shooting subject and circumstances will then
determine which to use.

Do you know of a camera without all those auto modes that is less expensive than the D3400? If you are not rich, all those bells and whistles are what you have to accept whether you use them or not.

NBBPH Loc: Indiana

Back in the day is was manual all the time, including focus. Today the only time I use manual is with flash or studio strobes (with light meter). Now my cameras are set on aperture priority because I am concerned with depth of field on most of what I do. When doing sports, or action, I use shutter priority to control stop or action blur. There are even times when auto and program come in very handy; it all depends on what a person is trying to shoot and how fast you have to react to the scene. If I had to go back to all manual I would probably quit. All of this great technology has given us tremendous flexibility.

dyximan

marciamyers wrote:

New to group and photography...am 67 and purchased... (show quote)

There are numerous criteria but a simple responses. If what you’re going to be shooting is moving use shutter priority and if what you are shooting is stationary use Aperture priority. And play with it a bit And you may want to adjust one or the other, slow the shutter to show movement adjust the aperture for more or less depth of field. And if you’re not sure put it on auto or program and see what the camera would want to do under those conditions and adjust to your own liking In manual.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

OneShotOne18 wrote:

Hey, I am new here on this forum as well a newbie photo taker. All this ISO's, aperture, shutter speed, priority modes and manual and how and why and when to use then is downright OVERWHELMING. I want to thank each of you who answered this post. This clarifies the haze on my photographic mind. THX!!!

It gets more clear over time as to what to do, but the time involved does depend on your effort to study the technology and art of photography and to take photos. The more photos you take, even the really bad ones, the more you learn about the nuances of photography and the more the information is cemented in your brain. Have fun and good luck with your efforts.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

OneShotOne18 wrote:

Hey, I am new here on this forum as well a newbie photo taker. All this ISO's, aperture, shutter speed, priority modes and manual and how and why and when to use then is downright OVERWHELMING. I want to thank each of you who answered this post. This clarifies the haze on my photographic mind. THX!!!

One shot:
On Amazon I recently found a series of short books by Al Judge that can be downloaded to your device or purchased as paper. They're short, to the point, designed for beginners, not expensive.

BebuLamar

marciamyers wrote:

New to group and photography...am 67 and purchased... (show quote)

Both the shutter priority and aperture priority are used to save you a bit of time. With shutter priority you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically set the aperture as the light changes. With aperture priority you set the aperture and camera automatically set the shutter speed as the light changes. Which you use depends on whether you want the shutter speed your way or the aperture. Letting the camera set either the aperture or shutter speed by itself it can run into limit or into undesirable range without you knowing it if you are not watching. For example if you're doing a portrait and use aperture priority, you set the aperture at say f/4 and if the shutter speed automatically set by the camera is anywhere from 1/4000 down to 1/125 or so it really doesn't matter but if it goes down to 1/15 or so, that can be a problem.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

BebuLamar wrote:

Do you know of a camera without all those auto modes that is less expensive than the D3400? If you are not rich, all those bells and whistles are what you have to accept whether you use them or not.

Precisely my point. Why not learn to use them?

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Try having fun using manual exposure mode. Pick and set your shutter speed and pick and set your aperture. Now for the fun. Set your ISO to auto and let the cameras computer be happy by giving it something to do. You can now concentrate on being creative and have some fun.

BebuLamar

windshoppe wrote:

Precisely my point. Why not learn to use them?

There are many undesirable features in a typical cameras. I take them because I don't have enough money to buy the one without them but I don't use those features. If the OP doesn't need the features he doesn't have to use them. Some features are good for somebody but not for all. I do use the A mode. I never use P or S mode. I never use live view mode. My camera doesn't have video as I never use it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

marciamyers wrote:

New to group and photography...am 67 and purchased... (show quote)

I would possibly use shutter priority when using a speedlite outside for casual events where the ambient light is changing all the time. And I use Av or A 99% of the time when taking pictures of nature outdoors. M when the light is steady. Using the settings such at A and S are used mostly when lighting is constantly changing. I spent a good deal of time shooting in M. I got pretty good at it but noticed that I missed quite a few shots because of the changing light. I'd either be under or over exposed.

agillot

now , what is the difference between program and automatic , it appear to work same ??

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

sirlensalot wrote:

Manual mode. It's all you will ever need.

For me taking pics of my 2 small dogs running I’m just not fast enough with manual to maybe get one in a stop motion jump or the 2 sitting and looking at me the next minute. I use shutter priority a lot for them. Now doing landscape or a pic of the moon where things are sitting still I may switch to manual.

BebuLamar

Resqu2 wrote:

For me taking pics of my 2 small dogs running I’m just not fast enough with manual to maybe get one in a stop motion jump or the 2 sitting and looking at me the next minute. I use shutter priority a lot for them. Now doing landscape or a pic of the moon where things are sitting still I may switch to manual.

Sometimes using manual the photographer can simply preset the exposure and doesn't need to change from shot to shot. A lot of time when you see the meter indication goes up and down that doesn't mean the light is changing but rather because the meter is measuring somewhat different image or different part of the image.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

Sometimes using manual the photographer can simply preset the exposure and doesn't need to change from shot to shot. A lot of time when you see the meter indication goes up and down that doesn't mean the light is changing but rather because the meter is measuring somewhat different image or different part of the image.