HELP! Going to venture out of my auto mode..

[Tamster]

I was wondering if there was any mode I should start off in to learn how to shoot manual or does it really matter? Wasn't sure if there was a "baby step" to learning or if i should just jump right in? Thanks!

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Tamster

I was wondering if there was any mode I should start off in to learn how to shoot manual or does it really matter? Wasn't sure if there was a "baby step" to learning or if i should just jump right in? Thanks!

You could always jump right in. It will not kill you or anything. I wouldn't try it on something important though. A lot of people around here will go to aperture priority as a next step before venturing to manual. This will give you more control over depth of field. As you are shooting, you can keep track of the things the camera is doing automatically, such as shutter speed, and ISO, if you have Auto ISO enabled. From there, once you are comfortable with what you see going on, you can go to manual and give it a whirl. This will give you full control on how you want your image rendered.

I personally have shot in full manual since day one. I have made, and still make a huge amount of mistakes, but it is just easier for me to learn that way instead of trying to keep track of what the camera is doing.

In the end, it's all up to you.

[RichardTaylor]

If you find you have problems in M I would work around the dial.

P to allow you control ISO and file format.
Keep in mind

Then Tv and then Av and then finally M

Although I started with M (there were no other choices) , now days I only use M in difficult or tricky lighting conditions.

[Jim Poor]

Aperture mode is a good stepping stone.

[blsweeney]

Thanks Tamster, that question helps me too. I am a beginner with DSLR and am using P, but want to move on. Thanks all for your tips.

[Tamster]

Thank you so much for all your feed back... I have started messing around with it tonight.. easier then I thought.. I guess i was just a little worried..

[NicoleScraps]

I am sort of new to dslr photography. I have found that shooting in AV or TV is really helping me to understand the M mode, if I pay attention to what the camera is doing. Having said that, it is helping me to understand a standard light situation. The tricky stuff, well that is another discussion.