leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

I will probably start a range war here, but, I think the phrase "I don't like my camera making decisions for me" is so overused. I contend, unless you are shooting creatively, the camera is, in fact, making decisions for you. The purists always say, I shoot manual mode because I want to be in control of my camera. So, you set shutter speed, you set the aperture, you set the iso, but then, you check the exposure meter. If the little slider line is not in the middle (for proper exposure), you then adjust one or more of the three (shutter speed, aperture, iso) To get WHAT THE CAMERA SAYS is proper exposure. So, as I said, unless you are shooting for creative effects, and ignore the exposure meter on your camera, that camera is making decisions for you. What say you?

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I say it ain’t no big thang. Why argue about it?

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Everyone knows the lady of the house makes all the decisions...; )

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I have often said that those little oriental people that live in my camera are "pretty darn smart." My small pocket superzoom is left on automatic; like the western movie hero who draws his Panasonic Pistol he does not want to take the time to adjust it for distance, windage, and such... he shoots the results are good and he lives on.

Even if creative then the first shot can be auto to give you a starting point for example... increasing speed and the ISO and/or lens opening.

The purist will use a light meter... and it is the dumb way vs the more complex in-camera histogram... one can not trust their eye, the camera is impartial.

Your question may well have been in an automotive forum... do you prefer stick shift vs automatic. In 10 years the question will be, "when you drive do you use the onboard automatic steering and braking system." Our cameras have come a long way and the ol' guys are reluctant to let go and trust the automated system. [and what about Ai editing programs??!!] Many "Purist-Pros" wet their finger and determine the Pro-Setting exposure by that seasoned method of "I just know."

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I think the key word you used is “creatively”. A point and shoot photographer is limited in knowledge regarding depth of field and motion blur at minimum and so can’t really create or control effects so suite a wide range of situations. Shooting automatic will deliver excellent results most of the time and will satisfy the average photographer consistently. But anyone wanting to expand their skills to get better photographs in varying situations will learn to use manual mode. Otherwise they will never climb the skill ladder.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I say this statement is flawed because you are making the assumption that everyone shooting in full manual does this.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Yes - and of those who are "on manual" many use a Sekonic or Weston Master to decide on exposure.
So why not use the camera's light meter?
Then there are those "sunny sixteeners" and total guessers, who put things right? with PP.
Most of the others who "shoot manual" are on Auto ISO with a three stop ceiling.
There is only one controlling factor and that is light (LV). So there are no decisions - when there is no light to speak of, thirty seconds could mean just one stop.

srt101fan

The camera NEVER makes decisions for you. The camera suggests, YOU decide.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Chimp and Choose....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I am fortunate to have a couple of recently manufactured camera models. Like my older ones, they combine instructions that I have dialed in with measurements that they make to algorithmically determine an exposure setup. Depending on the operating mode I have selected, the camera either communicates that setup to me via the match needle indicator or else passes it to its shutter and iris (and maybe its sensitivity control) through its internal cabling and connectors.

I have full capability to set the match needle somewhere other than zero or to quickly and easily override the calculated exposure values in either situation or to accept them as offered. I do not have any cameras that make any decisions or that force an exposure with any particular settings.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I often use manual, when I have time to take a meter reading, decide which shutter speed, aperture, and ISO will give me the results I want. But sometimes in changing conditions there isn't time for that. In that case I will use one of the auto modes, aperture or shutter priority or auto iSO, whichever seems appropriate. I can also quickly dial in some exposure compensation if needed. I believe in using all the tools my camera has to offer to get the best shots I can.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

So?

drzuvela Loc: Croatia

I am completely disagree.
First of all shooting manually means exactly that: photographer choose parameters in order to get final result. Having light meter in camera is great. There is no other way in setting correct exposure then using measurements. Guessing is not very welcome way.

I think that your question is not correct. Camera is tool. It has built in options.
For me better question would be if camera owner knows and understand all camera possibilities and power as well weakness.

It is not strange that many people don't understand 90% of their camera functions and settings. That is why many cameras have "Auto" , "Inteligent Auto" or similar set point, and that will help people to take beautiful photos , almost as good as those taken by phone.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The camera (and lenses and PP software and etc...) are tools.

As a photographer you either have a vision of what you want to achieve or you do not.

If you do have a vision, the tools each have limitations that affect how you will go about achieving your vision. You then need to work creatively within those limitations. Much of the best art is achieved by those trying to get the most they can out of limited resources.

If you do not have a vision, then your only option is to let the camera make the decisions.