Every one has dslr

[FreedomPhotos]

Fantastic that you have managed to upgrade. Everything Ive read about what makes a good photo, always seems to come back to the photographer, not their equipment. If you eye likes what you see, do your best to capture it in a photo. Best of luck.
Karen

[Jatala]

Agree 100% Karen!

[mr_ceebs]

Well I use both, auto and manual settings, I want to know what the limits are of the machinery I brought, If im sat and I have to take that picture in the next five seconds because the composition is just right, or the bird is just flying across the scene right, then I need to know, should I be spending time fiddling with settings, or will the Auto do the job?

If it will, in the way that I want, then my times better spent taking the photo than making sure im using exactly the right iso number. If it isnt, then I need to get things sorted.

So most pictures I take, I'll do with both manual and auto,Just to explore where those limits actually lie.

[Deeyelljay]

I'm with you all the way

[SoxAddict]

The only thing I really don't like is rude people who display snobbish, immature behavior. They really shouldn't be concerning themselves with what you have or what you choose to do with it. Instead, they should maybe try and encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, and if they're such great photographers, they could offer to do occasional short photo walks with you to help you out. That is, if you're interested in stepping away from auto into the world of manual. If not, then to heck with them! If you get pleasure out of shooting fun pics in auto mode & have zero desire to use manual settings, then your mission is complete, and your hobby is doing exactly what it's meant to do for you!

[herman.evert@supergrp.com]

Those who continue to have fun will always progress....be a teacher and be a student

[JessicaO]

I used to be somewhat of a film and camera snob. I would get irritated at all the people with more disposable income than me who would buy fancy new cameras and lenses while taking (IMO) pictures that weren't as good as mine. But I realized at some point that I just needed to lighten up because we all just want to have fun and take pictures! I have no right to think that someone deserves or doesn't deserve to be using an L class lens or full frame camera. It's their money and their hobby so why can't we enjoy a shared interest in something? And besides, the more people buying digital cameras, the more cameras and lenses that manufacturers will continue to produce. And that's a good thing.

[danieluccia]

I use auto when I need to work fast. I've photographed children's birthday parties and feel like auto is the best option because the kids are lightning fast, and I don't have a great deal of time compose the shot and focus. That's probably attributed to my lack of experience but I find auto to be helpful. Other than that, I try to use M mode. I personally want to know everything about my camera and what's its capable of.

Every once in a while, I'll shoot a photo in auto, and then look to see what settings the camera chose. I try to experiment around those auto settings to see what I can then produce. It helps me learn, especially when lighting is tricky. Is this a strange technique?

I have to agree with most of you guys on here, have fun with it. Who cares if you shoot in auto; it's your camera, your photograph, and your prerogative. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal.