Full Auto vs. Full Manual Challenge

[ChrisAdval]

1. Shoot anything you want
a. Shoot that same subject in both full auto and full manual (try using a tripod to make the angle of view exactly the same).
b. When shooting in full manual, do whatever you think is best (high bokeh, no bokeh, super sharp foreground or not... whatever you like)


- Ensure if you use any sort of artificial light source/flash to use it for both modes.

- DO NOT use aperture/shutter priority modes, just full auto mode and full manual mode.

- No Post Processing!

- High Resolution photo please (or large enough to zoom in pretty well on a screen)


Required to have a link to your EXIF via flickr... If you do not have this you do not qualify for this challenge.

[RichardTaylor]

Thanks for posting this Chris,

After trying a couple test shots (Canon G11 P&S) it brought back all those reasons I only had a brief flirtation with auto a while ago when I first purchased a SLR that had auto..

4mp straight out of camera pics available on my Flicr stream

Subject #1 - Very close Ukrainan easter eggs (with a white background), indoors with afternoon window light only.

Auto gave me;
1/25 @ F2.8 (wide open and not much DOF) and ISO 800 (pretty noisy even on a "good" P&S camera)
(1) Focal Length 6.1 mm


Exposure was ok (but not DOF or noise levels) except for a couple of very small blown highlights.

Manual gave me.
4 seconds @ F8 (maximum DOF which is what I wanted) and ISO 80 (very little noise) Focal Length 6.1 mm
Small blown highlights (specular) was pretty much the same as auto
(2)


---------------------------------
The second subject was a front door (sidelighted form the sun to bring out some modeling).

Camera was on a tripod and a remote was used.

Auto fired the on camera flash killing the modelling - 1/15 F3.5 ISO 500, Focal Length 12.1 mm
The door colour is a little warm
(3)


The flash was then turned off (you can do that in auto) - 1/20 & F3.5 and ISO 1250 (very noisy) Focal Length 12.1 mm. The white balance looked a little cool.
(4)



Manual exposure (and I did change my shooting position, moved in closer, as I didn't think about white balance 'till after the first series of shots.
6 second @ F5.6 and ISO 200. Custom white balance.
(pic not posed but awb looks similar to #3).


==================

Conclusion:
The camera didn't know I was on a tripod and chose unnecessarily high, and noisy, ISO's.
The Auto white balance wasn't good for one of the the subjects.
The on camera flash firing (in auto) killed all modelling.

=================

In real life I never shoot auto.
It's mostly shutter, or aperture priority - with exposure compensation dialed in if needed.

I do shoot manual exposure in difficult lighting conditions or where the subject itself will cause exposure problems (think car headlights, at pre dawn, shining straight into the lens). I can post an example if you like.

[ChrisAdval]

I shot these two auto/manual photos using one source of artificial lighting.

Camera Body used in all shots was the Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D and lens EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. I shot manual shots in custom white balance. All shots are unedited of course, just added my meta data. Click the photos for larger viewing of 2000x2000

AUTO

Auto Mode vs. Manual Mode 04 - AUTO by Chris Adval, on Flickr

Shutter: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO: 3200
Exposre Bias (compensation): 0 EV (NONE)
Flash: YES
Exposure Program: Program AE (Auto Exposure)
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto

EXIF

I do not know why the communication between the studio unit and full auto mode from my camera was not working as it was in manual.

MANUAL


Auto Mode vs. Manual Mode 03 - MANUAL by Chris Adval, on Flickr

Shutter: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO: 100
Exposre Bias (compensation): 0 EV (NONE)
Flash: YES
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual (Custom)

EXIF

and shot the following using only natural lighting

AUTO


Auto Mode vs. Manual Mode 02 - AUTO by Chris Adval, on Flickr

Shutter: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO: 320
Exposre Bias (compensation): 0 EV (NONE)
Flash: NO
Exposure Program: Program AE
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto

EXIF

MANUAL


Auto Mode vs. Manual Mode 01 - MANUAL by Chris Adval, on Flickr

Shutter: 1 second
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO: 100
Exposre Bias (compensation): 0 EV (NONE)
Flash: NO
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual (Custom)

EXIF

Did I learn anything? Yes... What I learned is if you're an fine art photographer is the technical aspects aren't extremely important unless it enhances what you're trying to achieve. But as a business photographer (when a photographer who is trying to be in business for profit gain) [and no I'm not saying fine art photographers aren't, just compared to a commercial photographer its very different, as commercial photographers work with giving clients specific requests met vs. an fine art photographer just whatever he wants he thinks its art and attempt to sell that art in galleries or however], its different. You have to have a complete understanding of the technical aspects before getting into business as a photographer, as well to all other aspects of photography like composition.

What I also learned in this challenge is that the composition can make or break a shot, at least for me and in my opinion, its different if its a photo thats meant to be a fine art photo, but for me when I have to appeal to publications and advertising agencies I have to meet their standards and rules in the photography world when they have a trend of what is "good" composition. Yea it may be subjective but if most to all publications and advertising agencies agree with a certain style or type of composition thats when you as the photographer have to appeal to them if your goal is to get your work featured in publications or getting commercial clients for advertising projects. Now I'm not saying I'm a pro on this subject, but I never seen the technically challenged photographers being very successful in this area of publications and advertising.

Even fine art photographers, they still need to have a complete understanding of the technical side of things, but its their choice because its fine art and they're creating "art" and goals are to sell pieces to those who like the "art work." But on the other side of things, like non-fine art photography, you have to make work that appeals to your potential consumers, and yes some consumers don't know anything about what is good or bad photography but the likelihood of being a very successful photographer (in the business stance) is very unlikely you'll be successful.

So those of you for some odd reason want to shoot in full auto only for every shot, go ahead and do it... but the only thing you'll get is uneducated consumers at best and soon once they learn you made bad choices on the technical side of their photos (even with amazing composition) your business will not grow as much as if you mastered the technical aspects and took advantage of the technical side of things in your photography.

This is not an attack on anyone specifically or styles, just telling the truth to those on the forums are who anti-technical or pro-full auto mode for some reason. Full auto is only good when you're starting out, that's it, but to be photographer who charges anyone and you only use full auto mode... in my opinion you're not a photographer until you've mastered the technical side of the camera (or your DSLR specifically at least), and yes that includes the technical aspect of composition as well.

[RichardTaylor]

I have never used a studio flash, however this thread may help shed a little light on the problem.

How to sync. 550D to studio flash?????? - Canon Digital Photography Forums

It appears that if there is beyond "normal" in the scene or with the equipment then auto can't cope. Ie it is fine for those snap shots with the sun behind your back (but don't try it in snow etc).

Another couple of "test" pics this morning resulted in Auto "failures"
I was using a Canon 40D and a 400mm lens @400mm.

Pic #1 (clear sunny morning) - white flower, in the sun and a dark green background in full shade.
Result - completely blown white petals.

Pic #2 cat in full shade.
Auto set 1/250 & F5.6 ISO 800
1/250 is too slow to hand hold 400mm (especially on a crop camera).

Edit:
I am just a hobbyist, who sometimes sells a photograph.
It doesn't really matter how you achieve the end result, however for me auto will not usually give me the results I am after.

[nickbedford]

I think this test breaks down when you try to use any sort of complex lighting. If I tried to do a lit portrait with some optical or wirelessly triggered slaves, it would probably be completely wrong.

The simple fact is that Auto is completely unaware that there will be a +4 stop blast of light when the shutter trips.