Too Much to Know!

[Hill Country Hack]

I read the posts, tutorials and visit reccomended links. There is so much information to absorb regarding f stop, ISO, shutter speed, light, lighting, composition and the list goes on and on. Heaven forbid when I'm ready to start using a camera mounted/or other external flash. My head is spinning at the thought. Will I be using reference materials forever?

I figure at some point I'll have some base settings to start at for any particular type of capture and then modify from there. I tend to shoot in AE most of the time (unless I know I'll be shooting fast moving objects then I go to shutter priority) for depth of field control.

[SwissJon]

The thing about learning photography is that it seems this way.. It's like learning to drive. You start off not knowing the gear stick from the windscreen wash lever, but eventually it starts to become second nature... Unless you always let the camera do the thinking for you.. I challenge you to put it in manual mode and mess around and learn the hard way, it's not all that difficult when you try.

6 months ago the camera had never been in manual mode, now it's hardly ever NOT in manual.

[OsmosisStudios]

What's so hard?

*winces as engineers use the jaws of life to pry camera from hands*

[mosgood]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

The thing about learning photography is that it seems this way.. It's like learning to drive. You start off not knowing the gear stick from the windscreen wash lever, but eventually it starts to become second nature... Unless you always let the camera do the thinking for you.. I challenge you to put it in manual mode and mess around and learn the hard way, it's not all that difficult when you try.

6 months ago the camera had never been in manual mode, now it's hardly ever NOT in manual.

Good points, Jon! Hill Country Hack, if you never take your camera out of program mode, how will you learn to do it yourself? It really does get easier the more you know your camera. Read your manual, learn what your camera can do, & then start practicing. That's my best advice! I don't shoot in anything but manual these days. I like being in the drivers' seat. LOL

[zona5101]

remember "baby steps" ...start with addition then subtraction & build from there... no one starts with trig and calculus...

[TomHarmon]

Go sloooowwww. Master the basics first (exposure, composition, etc.) Then move on to one technique at a time, should it be off camera flash, panoramics, or whatever. But do them one at a time. Before you know it, you'll have a lot of tricks in your bag, But it wont happen over night. It will take years. You'll always be learning something new.

[Hill Country Hack]

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I am not quite brave enough to go straight manual yet. I do not use the fully programmed modes any longer. I do read the tutorial and then practice the technique. I have already learned so much that much is becoming second nature. Quality photography is the hardest thing I've attempted yet. Even golf seems easy compared to this. The funniest thing about this is I preach patience to my wife all the time. She is one who wants things/learn something new RIGHT NOW! It has ONLY been four months. I guess I need to cut myself some slack.

I'm keeping at it because I really enjoy it and the challenge intrigues me. I do get some captures SOOC that make me say "wow" and grin. Those "wow" ones are even more satisfying when I input the settings and not the camera.

I will start using manual mode to speed the learning curve.

Thanks again

[Izzy]

Don't be too hard on yourself. This is supposed to be fun

I agree get out of auto modes as soon as you can manage. Experiment with it. Not like you are burning film like the old days. What is the worst that can happen? You end up deleting a bunch of junk in cam. I still do this on a regular basis, but my photography still sucks after 15+ years at it. Just ask anyone here.

Don't write off ap and shutter priority, there are still times where you will want to use these.

There is my bit of worthless advice

[RovingLenses]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

6 months ago the camera had never been in manual mode, now it's hardly ever NOT in manual.

This is so true in my case. Before I got my 550D, I had a Canon S5 IS which also had manual and semi-auto modes. But, I was always shooting in Auto or Sports (for high shutter speed) mode.

But ever since I got my 550D, I've made a conscious effort to shoot in Manual mode only and I've never looked back ever since. I still have a loooong way to go, but I'm happy with the progress I'm making.

That's about me.... but, I'm sure you'll feel the same way once you dive into it ... it's fun!


~ AC

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I am not quite brave enough to go straight manual yet. I do not use the fully programmed modes any longer. I do read the tutorial and then practice the technique. I have already learned so much that much is becoming second nature. Quality photography is the hardest thing I've attempted yet. Even golf seems easy compared to this. The funniest thing about this is I preach patience to my wife all the time. She is one who wants things/learn something new RIGHT NOW! It has ONLY been four months. I guess I need to cut myself some slack.

I'm keeping at it because I really enjoy it and the challenge intrigues me. I do get some captures SOOC that make me say "wow" and grin. Those "wow" ones are even more satisfying when I input the settings and not the camera.

I will start using manual mode to speed the learning curve.

Thanks again

I just thought I'd remind you, manual mode is not a one way street.. You can put your camera in manual mode, take a photo then put it back again into your favourite mode.. I suggest you do this, set your camera into aperture priority, use that to tell you what settings to use.. Set the camera in manual mode, change the aperture and speed to the same, take a photo, take a look at the histogram, if it's far to the left, turn the dial so the speed is reduced, or the aperture opens a little, if it's to the right, do the opposite.

This isn't a big deal, when you've finished, go back to aperture prority and take another photo.. You don't need to be brave.. Take two or three photos like this each time you're shooting until you get used to it.