Blue Snow, Blurry Photos? ... Just Put it in Auto
May 18, 2013 04:13:14 #
I thought you were posting a question from the very beginning. If you understand how a camera works, my mistake.
Nightski wrote:
Fstop..why do you think I don't pay any attention ... (show quote)
May 18, 2013 05:15:14 #
You are absolutely correct. Everytime I got a new camera, I shoot in manual all the time and only once I get used to it, I start checking some of the auto modes.
May 18, 2013 05:47:26 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
The problem with auto is the camera makes up your mind for you on everything except composition.
Over time there have been a number of posts on this subject ranging from 'pros always use auto' (yes, of course they do!) to 'auto should be taken off the dslr'.
Each to their own but I cannot see the point of spending money on a camera system and not learning how to make it do what you want it to. You will make mistakes (continually) but as you say you can delete them!
Over time there have been a number of posts on this subject ranging from 'pros always use auto' (yes, of course they do!) to 'auto should be taken off the dslr'.
Each to their own but I cannot see the point of spending money on a camera system and not learning how to make it do what you want it to. You will make mistakes (continually) but as you say you can delete them!
May 18, 2013 05:58:03 #
You are on the right track. Learn the exposure triangle and the sunny 16 Rule At noon on a sunny day with the camera set at f/16 the speed is the reciprocal of the ISO = ISO 200 speed 1/200
Here is a basic chart and you adjust for how you want to compose the scene by adjusting the stops
In the scenarios shown in the chart below, the rule continues to apply. At each of the aperture settings the shutter speed should match the reciprocal of the ISO
Aperture Lighting Scenario
f/22 Layer of Snow or at The Beach, Sunny Day
f/16 Sunny Day at Noon
f/11 Slightly Overcast
f/8 Overcast
f/5.6 Storm Clouds
f/4 Open Shade / Sunset
Here is a basic chart and you adjust for how you want to compose the scene by adjusting the stops
In the scenarios shown in the chart below, the rule continues to apply. At each of the aperture settings the shutter speed should match the reciprocal of the ISO
Aperture Lighting Scenario
f/22 Layer of Snow or at The Beach, Sunny Day
f/16 Sunny Day at Noon
f/11 Slightly Overcast
f/8 Overcast
f/5.6 Storm Clouds
f/4 Open Shade / Sunset
May 18, 2013 06:00:29 #
The camera is NOT out to screw you!
It's doing all it can to help you. In order to help you, it has to make some assumptions. You have to know what those assumptions are in order to accept them or to override them. That's your responsibility. Either make the effort or stop whining!
This is where the manufacturers - yes, plural! - fail us.
They do not give us a summary of their camera's assumptions for the auto functions or for their default settings and and the "So what?" Of these assumptions.
e.g.
Auto exposure? 18%? What to do about it.
Auto focus? Closest object?
Maybe a summary of all default settings and their reasons so we can intelligently override them when the assumptions do not apply.
I think Darrell Young does a good job of this in explaining what each menu item does and how to control it. Then he adds a comment on what he normally uses for that item and why. It's your responsibility to understand this and to experiment with it until you are in control. If you cannot or will not do this, then it's just fine to go along with the camera' assumptions and to be awed and thankful for the wonderful joon it does
It's doing all it can to help you. In order to help you, it has to make some assumptions. You have to know what those assumptions are in order to accept them or to override them. That's your responsibility. Either make the effort or stop whining!
This is where the manufacturers - yes, plural! - fail us.
They do not give us a summary of their camera's assumptions for the auto functions or for their default settings and and the "So what?" Of these assumptions.
e.g.
Auto exposure? 18%? What to do about it.
Auto focus? Closest object?
Maybe a summary of all default settings and their reasons so we can intelligently override them when the assumptions do not apply.
I think Darrell Young does a good job of this in explaining what each menu item does and how to control it. Then he adds a comment on what he normally uses for that item and why. It's your responsibility to understand this and to experiment with it until you are in control. If you cannot or will not do this, then it's just fine to go along with the camera' assumptions and to be awed and thankful for the wonderful joon it does
May 18, 2013 06:01:38 #
May 18, 2013 06:14:27 #
fstop22 wrote:
I thought you were posting a question from the very beginning. If you understand how a camera works, my mistake.
Well, I was posting a question. It was, why bother with a DSLR if you're just going to use it in auto every time you run into a tough situation? Wouldn't it be better to keep trying in manual, make your mistakes, and learn from them. The reason why I posted is because it bugs me when I ask for help, the first response from some is to go to av, tv, or sports mode. Why? Why not just tell me how I could do better in Manual? I hope I didn't offend you Fstop...and didn't you used to be a frog? :)
May 18, 2013 06:18:22 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
If you really want to learn to use manul mode, then just do it; you have the best format, it doesn't cost you anything to learn- so fire away!
May 18, 2013 06:21:54 #
Patw28 wrote:
The camera is NOT out to screw you!
It's doing all it can to help you. In order to help you, it has to make some assumptions. You have to know what those assumptions are in order to accept them or to override them. That's your responsibility. Either make the effort or stop whining!
It's doing all it can to help you. In order to help you, it has to make some assumptions. You have to know what those assumptions are in order to accept them or to override them. That's your responsibility. Either make the effort or stop whining!
Uh...I think SwampGator was saying that a little tongue-in-cheek...
Chill a bit.
May 18, 2013 06:27:00 #
mborn wrote:
You are on the right track. Learn the exposure tr... (show quote)
Thanks for the awesome info, Mborn. I'm writing it down :thumbup:
May 18, 2013 06:27:57 #
rpavich wrote:
Uh...I think SwampGator was saying that a little tongue-in-cheek...
Chill a bit.
Chill a bit.
I'm confused...but I am glad he's not telling me to quit whining, because I didn't think I was.
May 18, 2013 06:31:13 #
I know that this is going to sound crazy, but it does help.
SAY what you are doing out loud while you are doing it when you set your camera for an exposure. The act of saying it out loud solidifies it in your mind, and gives you concrete reasons to set a dial instead of just spinning dials until you luck into something.
So...when you are wrong...you can correct it out loud...that really does help. I THINK it helps you learn more quickly for the same reason that teaching someone is the best way to find out if you know a subject or not...when you are forced to explain a subject...that's when you find out what you know about it.
So...go outside...and find a subject...say out loud:
"...It's cloudy today....so the ISO will be about 400 or so...."
Then say...
"....I'm photographing an outdoor portrait so I want a shallow depth of field...so I'm going to set my camera on f/2.8..."
Then say..
"....now all I have to do is point the camera at my palm...turn the dial to adjust the shutter speed so that the needle is centered......click!...let me see...oh yes...that's fine...1/500 will work for this"
Trust me...say that out loud every time for a week and you'll set the camera up in your sleep after a month...
And remember...the places and situations you photograph are going to repeat themselves...your house, outside in bright daylight...cloudy...a gym...soccer field....night...restaurant....you'll start to know what your settings are for the house...the garage...the yard...etc.
SAY what you are doing out loud while you are doing it when you set your camera for an exposure. The act of saying it out loud solidifies it in your mind, and gives you concrete reasons to set a dial instead of just spinning dials until you luck into something.
So...when you are wrong...you can correct it out loud...that really does help. I THINK it helps you learn more quickly for the same reason that teaching someone is the best way to find out if you know a subject or not...when you are forced to explain a subject...that's when you find out what you know about it.
So...go outside...and find a subject...say out loud:
"...It's cloudy today....so the ISO will be about 400 or so...."
Then say...
"....I'm photographing an outdoor portrait so I want a shallow depth of field...so I'm going to set my camera on f/2.8..."
Then say..
"....now all I have to do is point the camera at my palm...turn the dial to adjust the shutter speed so that the needle is centered......click!...let me see...oh yes...that's fine...1/500 will work for this"
Trust me...say that out loud every time for a week and you'll set the camera up in your sleep after a month...
And remember...the places and situations you photograph are going to repeat themselves...your house, outside in bright daylight...cloudy...a gym...soccer field....night...restaurant....you'll start to know what your settings are for the house...the garage...the yard...etc.
May 18, 2013 06:32:16 #
oldmalky
Loc: West Midlands,England.
My first attempt at manual (and only at the moment)resulted in
all my pics being to dark and yet when the pic was taken the picture was froze in my view finder and it looked fine, I realise now i should have brought up the display and would have realised my settings were wrong. After reading your posts
i feel i should try again thanks for asking the questions.
all my pics being to dark and yet when the pic was taken the picture was froze in my view finder and it looked fine, I realise now i should have brought up the display and would have realised my settings were wrong. After reading your posts
i feel i should try again thanks for asking the questions.
May 18, 2013 06:32:31 #
I had a professional photographer tell me to shoot in Program mode to understand the aperture, shutter, ISO workings. I see comments on shooting in Aperture or shutter. I am trying to understand how to choose which to set rather than havng the camera do it for me. What are the thoughts on this.....
May 18, 2013 06:35:59 #
I agree, Nightski. As you mention above, there is no cost to experiment. Just delete and try again. Not like the old film/slide days, when we had developing costs to consider when experimenting.
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