Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Why is "manual" almost a religion?
Page 1 of 14 next> last>>
Aug 16, 2018 15:45:57   #
buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM
 
Don't get me wrong! When I started this hobby in earnest in the early '60s, manual was all there was. Then in school we used view cameras, and there aint no automatic, there. As technology progressed, the automatic functions of cameras have become almost freakishly intelligent. I spent thousands of dollars on cameras, all with automatic features which rival the skills (exposure and focus) which I had as a photojournalist in Southeast Asia with my trusty Nikon. I shot so much I could judge light, get sharp focus, and get the shot as quickly as my camera can now. Obviously I am much older now, but my goal is still to get the shot. But I am gratefully happy to utilize the work and inventions of all the engineers who have made it possible for me to take the picture, and if I don't like what shows up on my screen, I can change it.

That being said, any newcomer who doesn't know the exposure triangle, is not a picture maker, but merely a picture taker.

Now, who has the popcorn?

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 15:49:34   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
With several new topics already today on this subject, obviously a nerve was touched, even without the popcorn

Photo forums are not the real world. Those here with the loudest voices and egos will come across as the Great Truth tellers. If you carefully read what several of our pro photographers wrote, you will see that they concur "one size does NOT fit all."

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 15:52:43   #
Largobob
 
My photographic history parallels yours. Manual was the only game in town in the early days. I use manual most of the time. But depending on what I'm shooting and what "look" I'm after, I also use aperture and/or shutter priority.....and have also been known to allow "auto ISO." Should I hang my head in shame? LOL

Reply
 
 
Aug 16, 2018 15:53:42   #
Largobob
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
With several new topics already today on this subject, obviously a nerve was touched, even if there's no popcorn

Photo forums are not the real world. Those here with the loudest voices and egos will come across as the Great Truth tellers. If you carefully read what several of our pro photographers write, you will see that they concur "one size does NOT fit all."



Reply
Aug 16, 2018 15:58:31   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Largobob wrote:
....and have also been known to allow "auto ISO." ...
Yippee, another chance to promote pro Steve Perry! See what he wrote on auto ISO and the link to a video on his website:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-517754-2.html#8771285

-

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:11:10   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Because any other mode would not facilitate my placing the Zonal values where I needed them to make this photograph.
--Bob
buckwheat wrote:
Don't get me wrong! When I started this hobby in earnest in the early '60s, manual was all there was. Then in school we used view cameras, and there aint no automatic, there. As technology progressed, the automatic functions of cameras have become almost freakishly intelligent. I spent thousands of dollars on cameras, all with automatic features which rival the skills (exposure and focus) which I had as a photojournalist in Southeast Asia with my trusty Nikon. I shot so much I could judge light, get sharp focus, and get the shot as quickly as my camera can now. Obviously I am much older now, but my goal is still to get the shot. But I am gratefully happy to utilize the work and inventions of all the engineers who have made it possible for me to take the picture, and if I don't like what shows up on my screen, I can change it.

That being said, any newcomer who doesn't know the exposure triangle, is not a picture maker, but merely a picture taker.

Now, who has the popcorn?
Don't get me wrong! When I started this hobby in ... (show quote)


(Download)

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:15:49   #
Largobob
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Yippee, another chance to promote pro Steve Perry! See what he wrote on auto ISO and the link to a video on his website:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-517754-2.html#8771285

-


Hi Linda From Maine. Actually, I did watch Steve's video and it convinced me to give auto ISO a try. I do set/restrict the upper limit, so it doesn't get too noisy on me. When I got my D810, I consulted Steve as to which lenses he would recommend. His recommendations were dead-on!

I have some of Steve' printed materials....and find him, and his advice to be exemplary.

Reply
 
 
Aug 16, 2018 16:24:40   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
buckwheat wrote:
Don't get me wrong! When I started this hobby in earnest in the early '60s, manual was all there was. Then in school we used view cameras, and there aint no automatic, there. As technology progressed, the automatic functions of cameras have become almost freakishly intelligent. I spent thousands of dollars on cameras, all with automatic features which rival the skills (exposure and focus) which I had as a photojournalist in Southeast Asia with my trusty Nikon. I shot so much I could judge light, get sharp focus, and get the shot as quickly as my camera can now. Obviously I am much older now, but my goal is still to get the shot. But I am gratefully happy to utilize the work and inventions of all the engineers who have made it possible for me to take the picture, and if I don't like what shows up on my screen, I can change it.

That being said, any newcomer who doesn't know the exposure triangle, is not a picture maker, but merely a picture taker.

Now, who has the popcorn?
Don't get me wrong! When I started this hobby in ... (show quote)


Actually, I use a variety of modes, depending on what I am shooting. mastering Manual is very fulfilling, since you learn how the machine works and configure it to your advantage.
I shot a 1 hr time lapse 2 weeks ago in Program mode, because I wanted the exposure to change as the sun set.

Whatever works, and WFT is the big deal?

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:26:55   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
...Whatever works, and WFT is the big deal?
The non-controversial topics don't seem to draw much attention. Aren't we due for another "SOOC is the only true photography" topic?

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:31:55   #
graybeard
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
With several new topics already today on this subject, obviously a nerve was touched, even without the popcorn

Photo forums are not the real world. Those here with the loudest voices and egos will come across as the Great Truth tellers. If you carefully read what several of our pro photographers wrote, you will see that they concur "one size does NOT fit all."


Just to split a hair, "pro" means that you make your living doing it. It does NOT mean you are more knowledgeable, nor better in any way. You might say the term implies it, but some "pros" are just stick-in-the-muds who do it their way, which is not the only way, nor necessarily the best way. OK I vented. Carry on please.

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:37:52   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
I can't offer 'why' for a cult-like adherence to Manual, but can offer three anecdotes:

Recently, I was shooting fast (jet fighters) and slow moving planes (props) for nearly a week. My typical set-up is Manual where I select the shutterspeed based on the type of plane that is performing. I also select an aperture based on the lens or lens+extender combo being used. Finally, I adjust the ISO for the available light and the other two exposure settings. I prefer f/11 which is both a good setting for my extended lenses as well as to capture the majority of the plane (nose to tail, wing to wing) in sharp focus.

I spent 1 day of the six days set in Shutter priority. With my image count already approaching 8000 during the week, I wanted to experiment with some other techniques. What I found when letting the camera manage the aperture against a fixed ISO and shutterspeed is that I ended up missing the desired depth of field where the camera would be around f/8 or wider rather than me reading the meter and seeing I needed to up the ISO for a brighter exposure. So, although I may have had "better", or at least more consistent exposures in Shutter Priority, I did not have images consistent with my artistic vision. I also considered the utility of exposure compensation in Manual with Auto ISO, a feature my older DSLR does not provide.

The second story is the process of using adapted, manual-focus film lenses on a Sony digital body. This is "manual manual" where the aperture is set turning a ring on the lens as well as needing to set the shutter, ISO and AF point on the camera. Being familiar with manual already, this more challenging "manual manual" mode is an interesting exercise rather than a frustration of being overwhelmed with all the variables I need to manual in this set-up.

The final story (if you haven't scrolled down already) is Program mode on film cameras. The aperture / depth of field is the primary driver of my artistic vision. I trust my primary film camera, an EOS 1v, to pick both a good speed and aperture in P while I focus on the composition and the selective focus. It's rare that I need to move off P. I've learned a lot from this camera, particularly where it focuses and the aperture values it selects. Being a 1-series body, it includes all of Canon's collective knowledge, at least thru 2000. P for Professional is a well known and accurate designation. M is for the Masses, or for DSLRs where you can give it a few tries to do better than the camera alone.

Reply
 
 
Aug 16, 2018 16:40:21   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
graybeard wrote:
Just to split a hair, "pro" means that you make your living doing it. It does NOT mean you are more knowledgeable, nor better in any way. You might say the term implies it, but some "pros" are just stick-in-the-muds who do it their way, which is not the only way, nor necessarily the best way. OK I vented. Carry on please.
Point taken, well expressed.

I think there should be a requirement that every opinion or piece of advice offered in main discussion be accompanied by a supporting photo taken by the commentator. So, as my counter to rmalarz's stunning, highly technical and carefully composed/exposed achievement, I will post this American Kestrel, shot from my car with a $375 bridge camera. I used my go-to setting for critters and birds with that camera: HQ burst mode (found in SCN), where the camera selects the fastest shutter speed for the lighting conditions.

These cuties rarely have the patience to await a photographer's fiddling with settings


(Download)

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:50:18   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
The non-controversial topics don't seem to draw much attention. Aren't we due for another "SOOC is the only true photography" topic?

You're not keeping up, the kids on campus this semester are saying: GIRITC = Get it right in the camera

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:51:27   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
You're not keeping up, the kids on campus this semester are saying: GIRITC = Get it right in the camera
Oh dang it, left behind again?!

Reply
Aug 16, 2018 16:53:14   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
My definition of "right" may be different than that of others. In the example I posted, as well as most of my other posts over the last few years have been "right" in the camera. "Right" for my intended processing.
--Bob
CHG_CANON wrote:
You're not keeping up, the kids on campus this semester are saying: GIRITC = Get it right in the camera

Reply
Page 1 of 14 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.