philo Loc: philo, ca

I shoot Ap 99% of the time. I find that it gets me to the same place as shooting M. My camera is smart and I have faith in it.

wjdonahue Loc: Kansas City

Such a profound statement, and the mark of a photographer rather than a "snapshot taker". I think that all of us who claim to be photographers have the same end point in mind, ending up with something that isn't just a reproduction of what is before us, but rather what is in "our minds eye." The difference is in how we arrive at that vision that we print. Before digital photography, the the camera was the only tool to get to that vision, but digital photography has changed all that. And what about those multiple visions in my mind that are competing. Sure, I could take multiple shots, with multiple settings to try to capture those multiple visions, but I now can take the best "basic photo" of the scene, and then use post processing to come up with those multiple visions of the scene conflicting in my overused brain. Using Lightroom and Photoshop six, with Nik Software and Topaz plug-ins I can much more readilly attain those visions, and sometimes find new "visions" that I never thought of when I took the shot. I think that that is really the basis of the good natured argument we have going here. Some prefer to try to get that image in the camera itself, the same way that was only possible before digital, while those like me prefer to get the best "basic" photo during the shoot, and then turn it into our vision in the lab with software. Is one way better than the other.....absolutely not. My preference is simply the belief that with the best "basic" photograph, new technology will allow me to transorm it into my vision (or multiple visions) in the lab. I know, Ansel Adams would turn over in his grave.......but would he after he sees what SilverEffects can do. To each his own, kudos to those who do it well, no matter how they get to their end product.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Ansel was a darkroom master...He would have loved digital post processing just as much

philo Loc: philo, ca

My goal is to take a good image and make it better in PP. Lets face it the camera can only take one exposure at a time. It try to get the best out of the current light. So we can try to get the best we can at the moment, or we can take that and they try to improve it with whatever software we have. I love HDR because it helps me make a good image better.
AMEN

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Taring as good an image as possible when taking one helps in that less post processing is needed...

MtnMan Loc: ID

It isn't correct to equate shooting in manual exposure as having any more control over then camera than using its capabilities. Quite the contrary I see it as not learning what the new technology can do.

rebride

I'm excited. I just bought a camera to satisfy my 'manual' cravings and my digital needs.
Actual analog aperture ring on lens, shutter speed dial on camera. That's the Manual I'm talking about.
Just the basic digital perimeters I would not want to do without and easy access to them. Those wonderful things my old slr could not do.
High tech processing which I'm grateful for.
As MtnMan said, "best of both worlds."

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

You place your heart and soul in the hands of a chip set...I tend to like my own paws...

philo Loc: philo, ca

The way I see it the only way you can put complete control into you own hands is to go back to the pin hole camera. Anything more is progress.

Pine Tree Loc: Paragould Ar.

I love ur picture, you should eat more tho :thumbup:

doogie Loc: Washington

Well I shoot in full manual as that is all my camera offers. It is a Pentax K1000. That and it is required for school. I do a lot of bracketing so i can "Bet on all the Horses" so to speak and I log everything in an Exposure Log book.

The fun part continues when I develop the film and then go into the darkroom after. My favorite place in the world. 100% control over each and every single aspect of my work. And then again plenty of exercises in frustration. But it is worth is. Might be easier to let an automatic camera and a photoshop program do the work yes. I would agree. But the manual process, even though time intensive, reminds me on a daily basis that sometimes it is nice just to take time to manualy produce a photograph by hand. IMO at least.

V/r,
Doogie