Triggerhappy

I need to use my Nikon D7100 by learning how to use something other than AUTOMATIC mode. I see video e-books and DVD guides to teach this process. Can you recommend one over the other? Is this the approach to take?
Everyone here seems to know so much and I am in awe and sometimes in the dark on understanding what you are saying in regards to photography and camera settings. I'm not so bad at composition, but really would like to take better photo. I shoot RAW.
Advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Try a few different, but similar approaches:

Put the camera in Program Mode. This is the same as 'auto', but gives you an option to override the exposure settings. Do you understand the exposure is composed of three aspects, aka the exposure triangle? In P, the camera will judge the exposure the same as in full-auto, but you might want a different aperture or shutter or even ISO. You can adjust these parameters and the camera will compensate one or two other 'sides' of the triangle to maintain the same exposure.

Another method to transition over to manual is to again let the camera determine the exposure in P or Auto. You can then change to manual and dial in those same parameters and shoot with and / or adjust further. Particularly in Manual, look through the view finder and note where the meter registers in the view finder based on those exposure parameters. With the camera to your eye, learn where the dials are on the camera and adjust the shutter and / or aperture and / or ISO and monitor how the meter moves.

You may find manual is not how you desire to use your camera as you'll spend a lot of effort, at least initially, manipulating the camera. Over time and practice, you should be able to develop a feel for using the controls that are second nature rather than conscious thought. If you're missing shots while fiddling with the controls or can't seem to get a good exposure as compared to the camera's judgement, you may find the semi-auto settings are better for your needs (P / A / T).

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Chris, it's easier than it sounds. I would recommend a couple of basis YouTube tutorials - search on "Exposure Triangle" and you'll find a number of them. Try watching a couple and see whose style and presentation appeals to you the most. A lot of people like Tony and Chelsea Northrop, and UHH member Steve Perry has some excellent tutorials.

The basic theme is that you need to get a certain quantity of light for a proper exposure, and there are three variables you can adjust. You can open the shutter for a longer period of time, make the lens opening bigger, or make the camera sensors operated at a higher sensitivity. Learning the effects of each of these changes is actually a lot simpler than it sounds.

Don't get intimidated by all the tech talk.

Andy

Triggerhappy

Thank you Chg Cannon and AndyH, I'm going to give your suggestions a try. Wish me luck... and patience.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The only way you will get a "better photo" (your words) by using manual mode is to thoroughly understand the properties of exposure, as Ch Canon and Andy suggest. There are very specific reasons you may want to prioritize depth of field (aperture) over shutter speed and vice versa. Learn why a subject may appear under- or over-exposed compared to the background and how to avoid that (exposure compensation). And learn the camera's limits: high dynamic scenes cannot be fully captured. The camera can only register a certain degree of bright and dark in the same shot.

Once you understand exposure, it really doesn't matter which mode you use. Only the results count!

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Chris, for basic theory and understanding the terminology I got a lot out of the the following site:

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

It is a lot of reading but well written and followed up with examples. If you are a visual learner this might not be the best site for you. Some people prefer watching videos but I am an avid reader and I got a lot out of it.

There are also a lot of very knowledgeable folks on this site that are happy to help answer your questions. Good luck!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Join a local photo club, tell them what your goal is, and you will likely get some good help.

The best way to learn this is to first understand what your intent is with your settings, then understand why your particular choice failed for you. Being self- critical is probably the most important and most difficult part of photography. Learning the shooting and post processing skills to address opportunities for improvement in both would be the second most difficult part. The easiest part (and most fun) is buying new gear - but rarely offers improvement the first two things.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Here it is:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817439390/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=expertphotog-20&ie=UTF8

Jsykes

A relative newcomer to Photography and spent some months after buying a basic DLSR (Canon Rebel T6) using Automatic only. In deciding to better understand Manual I reviewed numerous articles, read some books and watched innumerable You Tube videos specifically trying to understand the Exposure Triangle none of which helped. Eventually signed up for an on-line course with a guy called David Molnar. Cost $297 and worth every penny. The main thrust of the Molnar video series is to get you off Manual. The video series is aligned to using three of the main stream DLSR's, my T6 plus Nikon and Sony equivalents. ~ 8/10 hours of video, with lots of practical demonstrations adapted for all three of the above cameras. Includes video of techniques for Landscape & Portrait photography and has commentary on lenses and utilization of Lightroom. There is a Help Desk that is very responsive. For experienced photographers it would probably come across as basic but, if you are like me, trying to get a good grounding with all previous attempts that came across as far too “techie”. If you can, get someone to get the Molnar video series for you Christmas! Also go on Molnar’s FB page and see the level of engagement his many, many “students” participate in. I have no personal or professional relationship with Molnar, so this recommendation is based purely on what I have learned
Have used this excellent UH blog to enhance my understanding since, and have even managed to get one of the members to kindly provide some mentoring on “next level” knowledge.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

When I first started, the epiphany came when I finally understood the principle of aperture and how it regulated light admission and depth of field. Understanding aperture made exposure finally make sense. ISO and shutter speed both made sense starting out, aperture, not so much. When you understand the affects of time, aperture and ISO, you'll see it's a matter of balancing them for proper exposure influenced by what you want the photo to look like.
Want to stop action of a moving subject? A fast shutter speed becomes the main control and you balance the other 2 to achieve good exposure.
Keep everything in focus? A smaller aperture and balance the other 2...

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Back in film days (tm) there were only two practical aspects of exposure control, aperture (a/k/a "f stop") and shutter speed, as changing your film's speed or sensitivity could not be done mid-roll, and there were fewer choices of film speed - 800 was extremely fast, now many DSLRs can shoot at the equivalent of more than 25,000.


The analogy that stuck with me is this:

You have to fill up a one gallon bucket of light, err, water.

If you choose to use a large diameter hose, you will only have to leave the faucet on for a few seconds.

If you use a skinny hose, you will have to leave the faucet turned on for a longer time to get the same gallon of water.

Andy

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Simplicity at its best! Also, great point about aperture being confusing - especially when you see written as weird-looking "fractions"

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I would recommend this approach:
Take your first image in AUTO you have it!
Take your second image in Shutter priority and think about movement, blur, is it a usable speed in those conditions for hand holding etc - take a few images at various settings. change the ISO and see how it affects your shutter speed.
Take a third set of images in Aperture mode and think about where you want the subject to be 'in focus' and where you want the background to be 'out of focus'. Change your ISO and see how it changes your exposure.
Download your images and Look at them....read the exif data and compare them with the Auto image.....
Once you understand WHY and WHEN to use the program modes, and are confident in your ability to get a good image that is as 'different' as you wanted it to be.....then look at Manual and again......get your good image first, then spend a little time experimenting with manual....The same situation as you would use shutter priority or decide to use aperture priority.....Then compare the images and the exif data....so that you understand 'what is changing'.....and 'the effect that a change can make' to an image.

Read up on it by all means, There are lots of tutorials on the net. Experiment AFTER you have the shot you wanted.... and always look at both images together. That way - you always have a usable image and not a wasted day!

Trying to remember all the variables for every occasion can be a slow process fraught with disasters....believe me I've been there! As has everyone else.....!

The program modes give you a pretty good ball park setting - each mode allows you to change a few of those setting so that you can 'play' with the specific looks of the image. Manual allows you to over ride all settings......the potential for a wasted day....is high as is the potential to get something 'special'. always cover your bets and take 'ordinary shots' until your confidence matches your intentions.

Have fun

PS shooting manual is NOT compulsory nor does it guarantee 'quality' ......!

srt101fan

I agree with other posters that emphasize the need for at least a basic understanding of the exposure triangle. You can get that from any number of free videos and online articles.

A few suggestions:

-- Before you embark on your learning process analyze your current shortcomings. Ask yourself, what is it that the Auto setting is doing or not doing that you would like to change.

-- Photography covers a very diverse set of subjects and themes. But you don't need to be good at everything. Not all learning materials, advice, and guidance are necessarily applicable to your needs. Focus your learning on the photography YOU want to do. Base your learning goals on the kinds of photos YOU like to take.

-- Study the manual that came with your camera. There may be a lot more useful information in it than you think!

-- Seriously think about why you want to go to Manual. It's fun and useful, but it is NOT a prerequisite for taking good photographs.

Happy learning!

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Manual is not so difficult. Just set your camera to manual and refuse the urge to use the other modes. Adjust your exposure by changing the aperture and shutter speeds. You will get the hang of it and will be so glad that you did.