Manual Mode

[MRTZ]

New At Digital Photography. How Would One Start Shotting In Manual Mode. I Need Sum Serious Help

[Darren Rowse]

While heading for full manual mode is a great goal - I find that going for semi-manual (semi-auto) modes like Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority Modes are a great first step. Master them and you'll be a long way along the road to mastering manual mode. Here is an introduction to them.

Also you might find this series on exposure helpful - it covers the main three elements you need to think about when you're in manual mode.

[youloveben]

I agree, Darren- Manual Mode is great for tricking out a shot, but it's tricky in and of itself. The thing I'm having the hardest time with is the use of a flash (I'm using an EX550) in manual mode, to do more than act as a simple spot or fill.

I'm playing with different ways to use the flash in a creative context, usually bouncing it off of something, but even in Av or Tv modes, it can be quite a waste of batteries to get anything even remotely enjoyable.

Oh yeah, I'm using the 20mm 1.8 on a Canon D10, and a tripod when necessary...

Any suggestions?

[Joshua Schroeder]

Originally Posted by diyosa

I was frustrated with manual for some time and gave it a break until I read my manual for the 4 or 5 time and realized the Nikon d50 has an exposure bar inside the viewfinder. I'll lock her in focus then set my shutter speed where i want it and dial my Aperture until I'm at 0 or near there.

Now that's a cool feature!

I tend to only goto manual when the Av or Tv settings aren't resulting in the exposure I'm looking for.

[Darren Rowse]

great tip diyosa!

[Dave]

I think it's best to use aperture or shutter priority mode as a stepping stone to full manual. I personally use aperture priority over shutter. I tend to shoot mostly still subjects so depth of field is usually on my mind. So aperture just makes more sense in my mind. If your dead set on using manual I'd start by practicing on objects that don't move and bracket your shots.

[Bail]

Originally Posted by Dave

I think it's best to use aperture or shutter priority mode as a stepping stone to full manual. I personally use aperture priority over shutter. I tend to shoot mostly still subjects so depth of field is usually on my mind. So aperture just makes more sense in my mind. If your dead set on using manual I'd start by practicing on objects that don't move and bracket your shots.

I Started off using Aperture mode with my camera. I also took note of what my settings were on my camera for each picture I took (ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed). It help me out a lot when I went to manual. What throws me off is when I introduce flash into my photography. I have no clue in what settings to use in manual so I switch to aperture priority. I have the 430EX Speedlite TTL and it does everything for me, Just turn it on. But I would love to learn how to work the flash so it doesn't over power everything.

Here is one I took of a plane at night.


that was in Aperture priority. tried to do the same thing in manual and I couldn't do it.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Bail

I Started off using Aperture mode with my camera. I also took note of what my settings were on my camera for each picture I took (ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed). It help me out a lot when I went to manual. What throws me off is when I introduce flash into my photography. I have no clue in what settings to use in manual so I switch to aperture priority. I have the 430EX Speedlite TTL and it does everything for me, Just turn it on. But I would love to learn how to work the flash so it doesn't over power everything.

Here is one I took of a plane at night.

that was in Aperture priority. tried to do the same thing in manual and I couldn't do it.

I currently only have the on camera flash and I really don't use it for much. When I have used it I'm generally in AP mode for the same reason you stated above.

Oh nice image of the plane by the way.

[chriswigginton]

This is a little off-topic, but are there going to be rules about the sizes of images that can be posted. If everyone starts putting large images in threads, then pages might take a while to load for some people.

[Joshua Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Bail

But I would love to learn how to work the flash so it doesn't over power everything.

I've got my dad's 20-some year old Vivitar flash, so it doesn't work so automatic with my *istDL. The only thing I can figure to do with it is just fire a half dozen test shots until I get my manual exposures right. Maybe I'll get a Pentax flash for my birthday