Van Gogh Loc: Lansdale, Pa.

ELNikkor

"program" is not necessarily only for beginners. I've been shooting for many years and understand all about photography, but most often, my Nikon D5100 is on the "P" mode, because the composition and timing are most important, as I do many spontaneous "grab" shots. If I have pre-set the aperture, the camera may have to choose too slow of a shutter speed. I pay more attention to the ISO, setting it to where I know I'll be getting a shutter speed fast enough to stop any action in whatever lighting conditions I'm shooting. When in a situation where I'm being more careful, I'll go to manual and do test shots to set the exposure correctly, because the auto-modes don't know the effect I want.

pyroManiac Loc: HIXSON,TN

When doing shop (industrial) photography I would take an incident reading (camera meter was worthless with overhead merc-vapor lights) typ situation f5.6 at 1/2 second with a small flash for color and a little fill. Used Kodak or Fuji asa 100 negative film mostly. This worked so well that I quit bracketing. Film cameras, RB67, Pentax Spotmatic & K 1000 and Nikon FM. My favorite was the K 1000. All manual with incident meter. But I'm living in the past.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

You have "tons" of responses and I have one.

Why don't you learn what you can about the images you favor?
As you attempt to improve those images, the technical side of photography will follow suite.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Well stated Linda!!
Mark

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have a 7100 also and use the aperture mode almost exclusively.

Hey you tried to sneak by with a complicated question; well you didn't get by this ole cowboy. Welcome to the forum. Just go ahead and ask questions, I'm sure you'll get a response or two

again welcome.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

[quote=bentrider]I've got a lot of questions, so here I go with my Post #2 on this Forum.

Which shooting mode do you use the most? I have a Nikon D7100. It features Programmed mode, Shutter mode, Aperture mode, and Manual. We don't even need to talk about Programmed, I think that's for beginners. I mainly use Aperture mode. But somewhere I read that to really learn photography, you should use Manual almost exclusively.

Of course, Shutter mode is the right one for certain situations, like freezing the action.

My D7100 also has a "Scenes" mode, but I also think that's for beginners or for situations where you don't have a lot of time.

Why limit yourself and restrict yourself. Use what is necessary to get the best photo. All are necessary at some point or they would not be there. Look at whatever you are photographing and select what is best before hand. If you know photography the choices become easier. And before you embark predetermine what you think will be best but be prepared to change your mind.
I do not use one exclusive mode because it varies by the photo options. And if you are creative it will vary even more.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

I use manual and shoot raw probably 95% of the time. The only time I shoot raw+jpg is indoor family function with flash and someone wants copies of photos right away sooc/no processing. If I am not using manual mode, then I shoot aperture priority and/or shutter priority if situation calls for it. Never shoot in programmed mode.

hobbycam Loc: Now in "Hollister, Ca."

I usually use Aperture mode.

My advice is to use the mode that you are most comfortable with
and experiment with other modes till you feel comfortable to use them.
Each mode can be useful depending on the situation.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Program mode is such a very misunderstood mode! What many photographers don't realize is that you can rotate through the aperture - shutter speed combinations using the dial and select the combination most suitable for the scene. This can be very useful when you are somewhat flexible about the specific aperture and shutter settings. Used smartly, Program mode is a bit like Aperture and Shutter priority modes rolled into one.

The beginner is often the one who assumes the user has no control whatsoever in Program mode. But this is a wrong assumption.

bentrider Loc: Mississippi

Good point, Gen. I agree. Right now I'm just familiarizing myself with my camera controls. There are a lot of bells and whistles that I don't understand yet. For example, the difference between auto ISO and manual ISO. So I'm studying my manual, and eventually I'll get it all. It takes practice.

But your point is well made.

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

Better to read a user books like Magic Lantern series than the owners manuals as they are much easier to comprehend....

bentrider Loc: Mississippi

Yes, that's for sure.

photon56 Loc: North America

I use manual mode most of the time for aperture and shutter. I switch between auto-ISO and static ISO setting depending on the situation.

bentrider Loc: Mississippi

Scott, I'm enjoying reading Bryan Peterson's book on understanding exposure. Do you know what he writes? He says when you buy a new camera and open the new manual, turn to the part that tells you how to put the camera in manual mode. Then throw away the manual.

Ha! He's got a point!