imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

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photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

Cascoly,
I find myself in the other camp of viewers. Here's why! I assume you want to grow as a photographer (a reasonable assumption given our participation in UHH).
As long as the shutter speed, aperture (F stop) and ISO each have such a large effect on the content and impact of a photo, I appreciate knowing the details of the camera setting so I can learn from them. I've seen many photos , for instance , taken at ridiculous ISO's or under exposed at 1/8000 sec shutter speed. Having the exposure triangle info and judging it's effect on the photo's ability to convey what was the photographers apparent pre-visualizaton is a benefit to me. It would be even better if the posters included BOTH the camera data and their previsualization intent for the photo. Exposures can be (within limits ) compensated for in post processing but inadequate Depth of Field or motion blur can not. If a photo is not sharp, then sharpening during post processing merely makes the photo more clearly unsharp. If you let the camera make all your decisions based on the camera's settings that, on average, work, you will get average photos "I was there" record shots and snapshots . If you aspire to do better than average snapshots, then invest time and effort in improving yourself and don't rely on a camera whose programmers had to be guided by the averages, Ansel Adams reportedly once said "The most important part of the camera is the 12 inches behind the viewfinder." Posting the information about camera settings, intent and post processing helps us learn (If we invest the effort to look AND THINK.)

Take a look at the LIghtstalking.com website's Shark Tank's forum discussions to see what an important learning tool the camera data can be for both the photographer and the viewer of the submitted photos.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

clickety

I find myself in the same camp. However I feel the majority focus so intensely on exposure that they are missing the two very very important variables of focal length and aperture settings which play major roles in directing the viewer to the subject of the photo. Optimizing those choices is the basis and most difficult for me, the cake if you will, and exposure then becomes the frosting.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I'm a landscape photog. But I remember when I first went to photograph my children playing on their school sports teams, at first I was a lost puppy. Knowing the exposure triangle (very well, BTW) did not help me decide which lens to use, what shutter speed would stop action from the mid-field sideline, which f/stop would record my child sharply yet blur those players around her, which focal length would do the job near my sideline as opposed to when the action was across the field. Wasted a lot of film in those days.
Easier today! Doing well with my grandchildren in similar situations helped immensely by the almost instant playback of DSLRs. But seeing other shooter's photos and knowing the "data" sure gives me a handy dandy starting point and saves some time.

cascoly Loc: seattle

and of course the many more shots where climbing or getting closer just isnt possible - i keep my 16-300 on at all times, and use the higher end in many shits - i've never understood those who swear by a 20-70 as their ONLY lens (mais, chacun a son gout)

the high end is often better than binoculars for identifying birds - even if the shot itself is slightly blurry

cascoly Loc: seattle

sorry, with today's cameras, the programmed & other auto functions can easily produce excellent images & i doubt anyone could state which excellent pix were manual and which automatic

cascoly Loc: seattle

when using programmed modes, it's easy to change aperture or shutter speeds for desired effect, while still have P mode for the majority of shots

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Some on this site can - because they only shoot manual! I myself shoot in mostly program mode. I only care if I need a specific aperture (A mode), shutter speed (S mode), or exposure compensation for what I see in the viewfinder. Otherwise, my exposure is what the camera delivers while I concentrate on what is in front my camera. It works out extremely well.

For all the other shooters between me and the manual users - my guess is they have to go to the file to see if it was manual or automatic.

clickety

Agreed, but that's not the point. It's choosing the correct focal length and aperture that's the heart of the image. I know how to change it. I want to learn from observing the data on other's photos so that I choose the optimum starting point. The manual tells you HOW to set it but NOT WHAT setting to use.

clickety

[quote=wdross] Some on this site can - because they only shoot manual! I myself shoot in mostly program mode. I only care if I need a specific aperture (A mode), shutter speed (S mode), or exposure compensation for what I see in the viewfinder. Otherwise, my exposure is what the camera delivers while I concentrate on what is in front my camera. It works out extremely well.

For all the other shooters between me and the manual users - my guess is they have to go to the file to see if it was manual or automatic.[/quote

Yes, but when you have composed your shot at a given focal point what aperture do you select for your AMode and why'd you select it? This what I feel we can gain from exit data. I don't want the camera making those choices because it only wants to expose to 18% gray and considers nothing else.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

"what aperture do you select for your AMode and why'd you select it"

I don't see any way anyone could tell why a particular aperture was selected by reading exif data, only what the selection was.
--Bob

[quote=clickety][quote=wdross] Some on this site can - because they only shoot manual! I myself shoot in mostly program mode. I only care if I need a specific aperture (A mode), shutter speed (S mode), or exposure compensation for what I see in the viewfinder. Otherwise, my exposure is what the camera delivers while I concentrate on what is in front my camera. It works out extremely well.

For all the other shooters between me and the manual users - my guess is they have to go to the file to see if it was manual or automatic.[/quote

Yes, but when you have composed your shot at a given focal point what aperture do you select for your AMode and why'd you select it? This what I feel we can gain from exit data. I don't want the camera making those choices because it only wants to expose to 18% gray and considers nothing else.[/quote]

clickety

I'm amazed that the majority seem to feel that exposure settings are the only thing important. I'm more interested in focal length and depth of field (aperture), these can't be adjusted in post, and therefore better be optimal in camera. Am I alone in this interest in exit data??

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Once again, my EXIF data can be misleading in this area, as I can vary DOF at any aperture setting. DOF is not necessarily tied to the aperture with one of my cameras. My EXIF data is important to me. The photograph I make is what is viewed by others.
--Bob

clickety

I understand that you are the exception but I suspect the majority have cameras similar to mine and that's where my response was focused.

I enjoy, no envy, your work and look forward to what you post. Thank you for responding.