AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

And, as he said, could just as easily have taken it in aperture priority mode. It makes no difference what order you set the values in, it’s the values themselves that count.

If you know what you’re doing and pay attention there is nothing wrong with setting aperture first.

Andy

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I think I am a victim of that mistake! I’ve sold lenses because I realized some time later that I barely used the lens; therefore, I didn’t really need it. I tried to limit myself to 3 lenses; but ended up with five for my last camera. Now they won’t all fit in one camera bag along with the camera 📷.

I did use my first DSLR on auto for more than a year; but, I don’t really regret that because I have some awesome pictures of Hawaii that I wouldn’t have had if I was learning the camera. After I came out of auto, my pictures were worse for a while. Now I am much happier with them.

I do regret not learning Photoshop sooner. I paid for the subscription for a year before I even opened PS; but then, I was learning Lightroom.

I’ve learned what I needed in due time and still learning!

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

That’s exactly why I switched to manual. I choose BOTH to suit the situation.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Obviously it’s you that didn’t understand. I never said I set the shutter speed, I said that when I set the aperture that I’m also SELECTING the shutter speed. When I set it the aperture I’m fully aware of what the camera is setting the shutter speed to. If it’s a speed that won’t work for me I can change the aperture so that the camera sets a shutter speed more to my liking.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Nothing wrong with shooting BIF in aperture priority mode, nothing. I have and still do at times, But I also know how to read the metering in my camera. If you chose aperture mode, then you need to Set your ISO so the shutter speed is fast enough to freeze wing motion if that's your choice. We are capturing light after all. No right way or wrong way if you know how to set your camera up. Plenty of wrong ways if you don't know what you're doing.........

My mistakes in the beginning was trying to use a camera and not understanding the exposure triangle, what a mess that was. My second mistake was taking advice from folks that never take pictures, they just talk about taking them, that was an even bigger mess. Since then, I've learned the triangle and I no longer don't listen to those folks any more..

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I did not read your comment correctly. I apologize. BTW, I looked at your pelican shots. If you were in "A" mode, thus the reason for the less than sharp captures. Shutter speed was definitely lacking. Try manual with auto ISO the next time. You will not regret it. Cheers.

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Martin, your phenomenal owls in flight captures were without a doubt, not shot in "A" mode. But if I'm wrong, I will switch back to "A" and never look back.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Whatever method gives you the results you desire!

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I just read, Steve Perry's latest article, "7 QUICK TIPS FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS." The number one tip was, NOT aperture setting but shutter speed.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Those were shot in semi manual mode with fixed aperture and shutter speed with floating ISO only because the lighting was either full sun or shade depending on where the owl was flying. If you look at most of my Osprey's in flight you will see that many were shot in Aperture priority because of the background and lighting conditions. These I always shoot in the hours of the rising sun. Just about as perfect as you can get. I would chose Aperture priority, set my ISO and then let the shutter speed float as I used Spot metering. This way depending on adult or juvenile osprey and how the sun was hitting the white portions of the bird my shutter speed would adjust to keep from blowing out the whites, but fast enough to freeze the wings. I always metered of the base of a cypress tree in direct sunlight which told me where to set ISO at my preferred aperture. 90% of the time I shot at F/5.6 because, first at this distance I always have enough depth for the bird and it helps to blur the background. The only time I use a smaller f stop is to get a nesting pair in focus as I need a deeper dof. I change up from situation to situation depending on the lighting conditions. Steve Perry does a fine job shooting birds and gives good sound advice, but my photos prove my methods work as well.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

OMG, I just did it a couple of hours ago, can't believe it. I went to my favorite small nature site and after photographing flowers for about 30 minutes noticed that there was no card in the camera. I had left the bag at home and had no other cards. Then, as I was getting into my car to go home, realized that I had also forgotten my wallet containing my driver's licenser. Geez...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bummer.
I turned that option OFF. Mine will not shoot without a card.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks, I forgot that was an option. I will do the same.
JackM

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Still have to verify it before you leave. Don't want to get someplace and have it say "No Card".
I have a hard card wallet that fits in my pocket, holds eight.