amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi and welcome to UHH,

You'll get lots of advice here, I'm sure.

First of all, some might try to tell you so, but "manual mode" isn't the only way to take great photos. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have several auto exposure modes which are helpful or even necessary at times and you should learn to use them effectively too. If you take a class they will often encourage you to use manual mode so that you can learn the three aspects of exposure - aperture size, shutter speed and the sensitivity of the medium (ISO setting) - and how they relate to each other.

Your Rebel T5 is a fairly entry-level camera. Those are designed with beginners in mind and a lot of automation. They don't "encourage" and in some ways actually might make using manual or the "creative" auto exposure modes more difficult.

The little dial on the right hand shoulder of your camera has a bunch of possible settings. In order to advance in your skills, the ones to use are "Av", "Tv", "M" and possibly "P". With one exception, pretend the "green box/A+" and scene modes (sports, landscape, portrait, etc) don't exist. Those are "super automated" modes that override a lot more than just exposure. They make you use particular autofocus setup, force the flash to operate in some conditions, either set the camera to single shots or to a faster frame rate, even make you save only JPEG files and won't let you use Exposure Compensation or choose your own metering mode.

One exception is the "CA" setting , which is a learning tool, of sorts. This mode lets you make settings and gives you information about them on the rear screen of the camera. It's sort of a "wizard", in computer terms, walking you through what different settings do as you adjust them. You might find this helpful while learning photography, but it will slow you down so you'll likely want to stop using it eventually.

I am not suggesting a camera upgrade. Just the opposite, in fact. Use what you've got and master it. Someday you'll find it doesn't do something you'd like, that you've "outgrown" it. Even then, don't be too quick to give up the familiar and start the learning process over again with another camera.

Someone else mentioned in an earlier response and it's true... Lenses are more important than the camera they're used upon. Most people approach it the wrong way. They worry about the camera and spend too much on it, but neglect to give their lenses the same attention. You're T5 probably came with one or two "kit" lenses. Those might be fine initially.... But adding other lenses or upgrading them can make a lot more difference in your results than changing cameras. I'd much rather have premium lenses on an entry-level camera, than a premium camera with cheap lenses. I wish people would spend about 1/3 their budget on the camera, the rest on the lenses... but most don't do that.

There are online classes and if you look for them you might find some locally. Personally I learn a lot better at my own pace with a book. If you got a manual with the camera, keep that handy. If you didn't get one, you can download a PDF of the manual free from the Canon website. In fact you might do so regardless, because many of the printed manuals are now heavily abridged. There may be a lot more info in the PDF version. (The last camera I bought came with a 150 page manual... But when I downloaded it, the PDF version is 500 pages, plus there's a separate 50 page PDF for the autofocus system alone/)

I also recommend you get a guide book for your specific camera (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Canon+T5+rebel&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ACanon+T5+rebel). These guides sort of expand upon the information in the manual. Even though I've been shooting for decades and know my way around cameras pretty well, whenever I get a new model I always buy a guide for it too, just to make the learning curve shorter and easier. I'm familiar with and can recommend David Busch and David Taylor's guides.... but some of the others I see for the T5/1200D on Amazon might also be good (check the buyer reviews).

I also highly recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". This is a very helpful overview of how cameras work, with lots of good info. https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Fourth-Photographs-Camera/dp/1607748509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548706066&sr=1-1&keywords=bryan+peterson+understanding+exposure

There's a lot more... setting up autofocus, tweaking the metering system (or not using it at all), setting white balance, using Exposure Compensation, photo editing software, computer setups for photography, yada, yada, yada.... Too much to try to go into here!

Best thing you can do is keep shooting. Have fun. Make mistakes and learn from them. Take it a little at a time and try not to get overwhelmed. It gets easier with practice and eventually makes sense! :sm01"

See if there's an active photography group in your area (www.meetup.com). Go on some shoots with them and that will help you build confidence and learn. There will probably be a mix of beginners and more advanced users, helping and inspiring each other. There's no substitute for just getting out and shooting!

E4Mafia Loc: Knoxville, TN

Canon t7i would be the closest since your already use to using a canon. Plus canon has the largest selection of lenses. Canon also does great with videos. Nikon has a better sensor and therefor better in low light situations. But to be honest, the beginner level cameras are so similar at this point its all about brand preference.

MegTee Loc: Mesa Arizona

Thank you for taking the time out to share your knowledge, i appreciate it alot and yes, there is so much to learn still even with my T5 rebel but i'm getting a hang of it bit by bit. i find that when i study the materials and understand, then when i go out to start shooting i get all confused again! perhaps trying to learn all aspects of the exposure triangle creates some sort of overwhelm so i'll take one feature at a time?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Read the manual,
reread the manual,
hold the camera while reading the manual,
repeat.

Cameras do LOTS of things now.

E4Mafia Loc: Knoxville, TN

Try just using one mode at a time then till you get familiar with how the triangle works. Use just aperture (Av) mode and the camera handles iso and ss. Or just use ss (Tv) mode and let the camera handle iso and aperture.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

My suggestion would be to first concentrate on capturing your vision with your composition. The camera companies are spending a lot of research and engineering into making cameras that will make stunning photos in “auto” or program mode. Aperture priority, shutter priority and program mode are not on a camera for people who don’t care as much for the end product. When I shoot in Aperture priority mode, I expect image quality worthy of the Nikon name. Do I shoot mostly in Manual mode; yes, it does give you more control of environmental factors at the scene. I guess my main takeaway is that composing the photo is the first priority. A well composed photo taken in a program mode will best a poorly composed photo taken in manual mode. If you want something to “study”, review photos of photographers who are renowned in the photography genre you want to fit into.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome to the forum!

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

In Orlando we have a very nice camera club that meets once a month. Perhaps there is a club in your area you can join.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Welcome to the HOG!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Welcome aboard MegTee. You have come to a good place. Be a sponge, absorb all you can, squeeze out the junk. READ, read, read and practice, practice, practice.

If you intend to go the pro route at some point, study more that just the photography part, look at targeted marketing, business plans, etc. and ask the pro-photographers questions (you will learn who they are as you spend time here). A camera club or working with a mentor (or both) is always good.

Learn the ins & outs of post processing. Study exposure and composition. Learn all the things your camera is capable of doing.

Don't let pitfalls and failures get to you, some of us have been doing this since the dawn of time, and we still can make mistakes, learn something new, develop better methods, etc.

Good luck in your journey and we all look forward to your success!! Enjoy the ride!

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Welcome to the forum Meg. Did you check with MeetUP? They list camera clubs too. There are a lot of pros and advanced amateurs here that can help. Always have your camera with you and take a lot of pictures. BTW when you are replying to someone, use the "Quote Reply". After the thread grows to several pages, that will really help. Good Luck.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Magdalene, enjoy the site.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I have been teaching photography since 1980s at Northern Michigan University and the University of Alaska. If you have the time and money, go to a reputable college and major in photography. Another option is to go to community college adult education. Attend seminars, many are free or about $20. As are the ones offered by the big 3, Nikon, Canon, and Sony. Find a local professional and see if he/she will mentor you. Avoid on line classes. Nothing replaces direct one on one hands on learning. Check your local school or Parks and Recreation, for classes offered. Take lots of photos. I have been shooting and teaching photography a long time. Rarely do I need to go into Manual mode. It is a cofusing place in manual and requires a complete understanding of all the elements of photography. As I tell my students, stay in the "green" auto mode, it will always take the photo. Manybe not the best photo but it always works. Then take baby steps and venture into P, S (tv), A and then into M if you have to. Camera manufacturers spend millions of $ making your cameras programs work 99% of the time. It's ok to use them. For an example, I was shooting the moon shining on the ocean last week and preset the shutter speed, f-stop, ISO, WB, IS off and focus....all manual stuff. Then I switched the Scene mode to "Night Shot" and wow. I preferred the auto "night shot" over my manual setting. Experiment and try things. Don't expect to learn it in a week. Happy Shooting.

Moon shining over the Pacific Coast (sony a7s in "night Mode"

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. Have fun.