Is This "Cheat" Photography or a Good Practice?
Feb 10, 2020 08:37:37 #
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average understanding and experience with photography and my question is- Is it "Cheating" to take a picture on Auto to see the best settings the camera would choose for the scene and then adjust my Manual settings to get the look I want?
I usually tend to like the warmer tones and rustic/B&W look. One side of me says that the end goal is to get a good picture that expresses what you see, but the other side says to shoot away.
Why take 10-15 pictures if it can be done in 5?
Any thoughts?
I usually tend to like the warmer tones and rustic/B&W look. One side of me says that the end goal is to get a good picture that expresses what you see, but the other side says to shoot away.
Why take 10-15 pictures if it can be done in 5?
Any thoughts?
Feb 10, 2020 08:38:56 #
Feb 10, 2020 08:42:55 #
I’ve been known to do exactly that too, but I also have some general rules i follow like the sunny 16 rule to get me in the ball park.
Also, if I’m using off camera flash I get spoiled because I dial my shutter and aperture to kill all or most ambeient light and let my flash do the work on Ttl as fill.
Also, if I’m using off camera flash I get spoiled because I dial my shutter and aperture to kill all or most ambeient light and let my flash do the work on Ttl as fill.
Feb 10, 2020 08:43:51 #
I find that Auto can be very misleading. Understanding the capabilities of one's camera should be the first step. However, many do not like the concept of rigorous controlled testing. Once one does have a good grasp of their camera's capabilities, it becomes a one and done approach. Why take 5 when one will suffice?
--Bob
--Bob
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
Feb 10, 2020 08:47:12 #
rmalarz wrote:
I find that Auto can be very misleading. Understanding the capabilities of one's camera should be the first step. However, many do not like the concept of rigorous controlled testing. Once one does have a good grasp of their camera's capabilities, it becomes a one and done approach. Why take 5 when one will suffice?
--Bob
--Bob
Very good point. Learning a new camera at this time.
Feb 10, 2020 08:54:41 #
I call it a photographer’s tool. I do it often when I plan to use a flash on a subject against a back lit background such as a sunset to set the correct exposure for the background/sunset. I then adjust my flash from there once I enter the settings and fine tune them to my liking for the background in manual mode. It generally gives me a good starting point. So if it is cheating, I am a cheater! Lol
Feb 10, 2020 08:57:11 #
Feb 10, 2020 09:02:03 #
It comes under- whatever works. For me, I rarely use Auto. Because I must use higher shutter speeds (left hand tremor). But that's just what works for me. There is no right or wrong. If you are happy with the image, that's it. As MT Shooter says--"when in doubt, shoot it again". P.S. Only you sees your mistakes. My most frequently used "setting" is Delete
Feb 10, 2020 09:02:35 #
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
I don't see any benefit from shooting in 'M'.
I just shoot in 'P' and be done with it.
Feb 10, 2020 09:03:09 #
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
I do understand your "Thinking process", and it sounds somewhat reasonable, although I have read, the view of other Photographer's, that a Photographer with a quality DSLR Camera should NEVER shoot in Auto mode, but at the most, use the "Program Mode" or other "Priority modes", or the "Manual Mode". But then again, "Whatever makes YOU happy, and works for YOU.
Feb 10, 2020 09:07:18 #
ggab
Loc: ?
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
At the end of the day, whatever works for you is a good practice.
Running auto to see the "camera's perspective", then adjusting or fine tuning the settings helps you learn your camera so that is a positive. With enough experience, you will no longer need to run auto first.
Combine both sides. Get good settings that get a good picture...., then Shoot Away!
Feb 10, 2020 09:09:04 #
Feb 10, 2020 09:10:29 #
It can be done with one. I see nothing wrong if a person wants to spend some time between AUTO and Manual. I see nothing wrong looking for that artistic look that pleases the photographer.
I spent all of my life shooting with film, specially slide film and I am used to wait, think and be disciplined before taking a shot. I am applying the same concepts to digital photography. VR has made life less miserable for us but I still enjoy using a tripod. I can compose better, slow down and plan what I am going to do. Tripods are not an accessory they are a necessity.
If the photographer knows exposure it is not that difficult with digital to go all the way with the Manual mode. If using mirrorless cameras then exposure is the least of our problems.
There is a solution for practically everything.
I spent all of my life shooting with film, specially slide film and I am used to wait, think and be disciplined before taking a shot. I am applying the same concepts to digital photography. VR has made life less miserable for us but I still enjoy using a tripod. I can compose better, slow down and plan what I am going to do. Tripods are not an accessory they are a necessity.
If the photographer knows exposure it is not that difficult with digital to go all the way with the Manual mode. If using mirrorless cameras then exposure is the least of our problems.
There is a solution for practically everything.
Feb 10, 2020 09:11:01 #
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
Is it cheating to use a light meter, auto focus, listen to your camera when it beeps for low light or to tell you you forgot to take the lens cover off? Nothing at all wrong with looking at what your camera thinks would be good settings to use. All my camera's since 1975 have meters that indicate if the camera thinks I'm under or over exposed. How you use that info is up to you.
It is impossible to "cheat" when taking pics, unless you are in a classroom setting or skill competition.
As far as how many pics to take, you take as many as you need to get the photo you want. It could be one or 30, makes no difference. I recall reading a great Humming Bird photographer when some asked about his prowess and he responded with over 70,000 Humming Bird photos, 3 he considered great, and one or two truly exceptional.
Feb 10, 2020 10:16:19 #
evan_moor wrote:
Hello. I have a question. I have an above average ... (show quote)
Although you mention using Auto, note that P (Professional, sometimes mistakenly called Program-Auto) is exactly the same as 'Auto' with the ability for you to dynamically adjust those camera-determined settings. Say the camera selects f/5.6, the human Professional can dial to f/3.5, available with their professional f/2.8 lens, and the camera dynamically adjusts the shutterspeed and / or ISO to maintain the same exposure. If you have some sort of fetish about counting images, this may be the approach to consider.
What is important is that you achieve the image you desire. No cares, no one on UHH, not your grandmother, not your life-coach, NO ONE cares how many images you took. We all only care about the final result you achieve.
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