Manual vs. Aperture Priority vs. Shutter Priority?

[bridgesro]

I've read and understood how the aperture and shutter priority modes work, and I just have a small question: if you already know how to shoot properly in manual mode, is there any benefit to shooting in aperture or shutter priority mode? I haven't played around with them too much yet (still new to my new DSLR, and I've been shooting in manual since I got it), but I would imagine it'd be convenient to only have to set one or the other (aperture or shutter speed) and save me from potentially missing shots because I'm busy clicking through the wheels trying to change everything.

A lot of what I've read always seems to point to manual mode as the be all end all of shooting modes. So is it really always best to shoot in manual if possible, or can aperture/shutter priority be superior?

[RichardTaylor]

I mostly shoot in aperture or shutter priority, with some exposure compensation dialled in if need be, for the reason you gave. If the lighting is tricky or (sometimes) constant I will be in manual exposure mode..

[giannispass]

For me only manual.
I want to have the control, not my machines...

[wulf]

Most of the time I have to use full manual mode because I chose to use lenses that don't work any other way. Even when I put the kit lens back on, I stick with manual control most of the time. It isn't that hard to take a test photo and make a quick judgement on tweaks to the setting for the available light.

I will use the more automatic modes once in a while though - for example, perhaps if I'm at a party and I might only get one chance to photograph a particular group of people or moment and where I might be passing inside and outside without time to recalibrate. Of course, I often want to use a faster lens in such a setting (either to get enough light indoors or to blur backgrounds and draw the focus on my main subject) so that pulls me back to one of my manual lenses but I don't entirely despise the priority modes.

Wulf

[gturner]

The benefit comes when things are moving quickly.

Knowing manual sure helps me decide when to switch to a shutter or aperture priority mode.

[Hill Country Hack]

I go full manual when I have the time so I can dial setting for what I want to accomplish (land/cityscapes, family pictures if everyone is milling around, wildlife is not flying or running and posed shots.

If shooting fast moving subjects (mostly sports) I switch to apeture priority. I control the shutter speed by changing the apeture. I manually dial in any exposure compensations.

For most action shots one wants a blurred background to aid in bringing out the subject when there is a lot going on in the background. For example, the crowds in the stands or signage on the boundries.

[homank76]

I always shoot in Aperture unless I'm using a flash then I'll go into manual to give me full control of everything. I usually have to turn the exposure down on the flash as well.

[ceremus]

I'm definitely in manual for the majority of the time. Though I'm usually OK with switching to shutter or aperture priority if I'm in a spot where the light is changing constantly, unless it's telephoto work where I need to keep a shutter speed high enough to stop action / negate vibration, and I need to keep a minimum aperture for optimal sharpness. Then if something is going to be on auto it's going to be ISO.

There are also times when I have manual configured to specific settings, and I'll switch out to aperture or shutter mode to quickly change to another setting for a quick shot. Like at a dog park, I had my settings configured to grab panning shots of the dogs fetching and running, but it was handy to flip over to Av on a large aperture to grab a quick portrait.

[Doug Sundseth]

I shoot manual in studio and when shooting panoramas. Otherwise I'm almost always in Aperture priority, sometimes with exposure compensation.

[CarlyRocksPhotos]

I learned in Manual. I didn't know what all those strange letters were on my dial other than the M. They frightened me.

Then one day...... during my standard street-photography-photo-trek.... my business partner at the time showed me the gloriousness of AP.
For fast moving things (like sports, mentioned above) like strangers going about their own business became exponentially easier to shoot. I spent less time in post perfecting exposure b/c I hadn't been quick enough to adjust it entirely on M.

Now I split my time 50/50. If I have ANY control over the shooting formula (light and subject) I typically shoot on M.

Meanwhile, I've let go of the guilt of AP. Forever I was convinced that I wasn't a "real photographer" if I didn't use solely M. Now I don't care what other people think about HOW I take the photo, because I've learned the rules, and from here on out it's a cakewalk.


That being said. Definitely take the time to learn/associate with Manual. Start in AP/P (TV is really more usable when you begin to predict the outcome of length of shutter speeds, is somewhat more advanced in the speed/ap/iso triangle) but KNOW your light. It's the only way to be a successful pro.

Cheers!