What style is the most used?

[Cliffs]

By that I mean...

standard
landscape
neutral
faithful
etc.

I understand it all depends on the composition/opportunity but since I'm a novice and want to really learn full manual, is neutral or faithful the way to go, as I also want to do a lot of PP?

[dcclark]

What do you mean by "styles"? Are these "picture styles" which come built-in to your camera?

If so, then the correrct answer is probably (at least among the people on this forum): none. Those modes are handy for quick snapshots, but if you want control over your image, you'll need to learn about shutter, aperture, ISO, etc. and be able to control them on your own.

[Cliffs]

You pretty much got what I meant...it was the camera selections.

Going thru the manual "again", it talked about them and of course, I asked here to see what was what...thanks.

[dcclark]

Speaking for myself, I never use one of the "auto modes" (aka picture styles, such as landscape, portrait, etc.). It doesn't give me any control.

Instead, I primarily use Aperture Priority mode. Sometimes I use Shutter Priority (if I want to control the shutter speed, such as for photographing a waterfall), and sometimes Program mode (if I want a quick shot without having to think too much about details). I rarely use full Manual mode, unless I have to have specific settings, with no leeway.

Learning how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate is important. But all that said, if you have a good eye for composition, any mode will work!

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by Cliffs

By that I mean...

standard
landscape
neutral
faithful
etc.

I understand it all depends on the composition/opportunity but since I'm a novice and want to really learn full manual, is neutral or faithful the way to go, as I also want to do a lot of PP?

Using the preset 'modes' can be a learning tool towards shooting in full manual. In each of the different modes, the camera decides what the best settings should be for that particular style of shot. If you take test shots in each and note what the settings are, you can see what the differences are. For example, in 'Landscape' mode, a smaller aperture will be used, giving you a greater depth of field. In 'Sport' or 'Action' mode, a faster shutter speed will be used to 'freeze' movement. Also, notice the other settings, how they change in relation to each other. Example: A smaller aperture means less light allowed in, so either a slower shutter speed or higher ISO is needed, or a combination of both.

Originally Posted by dcclark

Learning how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate is important. But all that said, if you have a good eye for composition, any mode will work!

This can't be said any better. Changing one of these settings affects the other 2. When the camera decides a particular aperture is correct, the other 2 settings have to be compensated for to give a correct exposure. As you learn the relationship between the three, how they affect each other, you can start taking the decision making away from the camera and make them yourself...achieving the results that you want.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by Cliffs

is neutral or faithful the way to go, as I also want to do a lot of PP?

It sounds like you have a Canon DSLR and are asking about Canon's in-camera JPEG picture styles.

Since you really want to do a lot of post-processing, the answer is clear: forget about the picture styles and shoot Raw.

When you shoot Raw the picture style only affects the "preview JPEG" that is put in the Raw file, and (if you use Canon Raw conversion software such as DPP) it becomes the initial setting within DPP.

If you need/want to shoot JPEG, you should go visit Canon's Picture Style site. You'll find it at http://www.canon.co.jp/imaging/picturestyle/

As that site says: "Subjects are recorded in rich detail, giving the greatest latitude for image processing" in Neutral style.

That site also has some additional picture styles that can be downloaded.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Cliffs

By that I mean...

standard
landscape
neutral
faithful
etc.

I understand it all depends on the composition/opportunity but since I'm a novice and want to really learn full manual, is neutral or faithful the way to go, as I also want to do a lot of PP?

I set Picture Style to FAITHFUL with Canon and Picture Control to D2XMode1 with Nikon.

DPReview Canon 5D review: "Different 'looks' can be easily achieved via Picture Styles (almost like changing film)..."

[Cliffs]

Wow, great replies, thank you all....I'm really liking this awesome sight more and more by the day and of course most of those I am meeting.