Why Manual? Why not Aperture or Shutter Priority modes?

[Paulo]

Photography to me is always an ongoing learning process. The more I learn, the more I become aware of what I DON'T KNOW....which leads me to my current question. What is the benefit of shooting in MANUAL MODE versus APERTURE or SHUTTER PRIORITY ?

I ask because ever since I picked up my first SLR ever in May 06, I've been most comfortable shooting Aperture Priority. I love to keep things simple and picking my DOF and letting the camera pick my shutter speed have mostly given me positive results. But I'm no pro...and I'm trying to understand why many pros use this mode.

Not attemping to create any negativity, but I'm wanting to expand my knowledge, in turn expand my options regarding camera functions.

[srdanz]

One example: while you can adjust EV when in Ap or Tp modes to somewhat control the image, I always put the camera in M when I use fill flash to enhance the foreground if the background is too busy and far enough for the flash to not lighten it up.

Just one example, as I said.

[brad]

I shoot 95% of what I do in Aperture Priority mode... because in 95% of the cases, I know what f-stop/DOF I want out of a given image and I'm content to let the in camera light meter determine shutter speed... using a Canon smart flash, the camera can even determine that I want fill flash and it makes adjustments to the flash and shutter speed accordingly.

Sorry.. let me clarify.. 95% of what I shoot that isn't in studio... in studio, under studio strobes, I shoot entirely manual.

[Bartman01]

Manual is good when you want all shots to have the same exposure, without the camera's meter getting in the way. One example that was mentioned was in-studio conditions where you have 100% control of the lighting. Another would be panoramic shots where you don't want different exposures for each shot.

One thing to consider is that if you are shooting manual for consistent exposures, don't forget to set a manual white balance too. Makes post processing easier/more consistent.

[Daniel Bates]

I shoot Av if I'm running and gunning or using multiple lenses (with different f/stops). I shoot M for any sports or difficult-to-meter situations.

[kenw]

on the other hand, if you are shooting things that move (like me) you'll find Tv is more useful. I can set the shutter to insure a frozen subject and let the Av fall where it may.

[carrbowl]

the more I read, the dumber I feel. Thanks for all the information!! I am getting smarter---I think???

[Daniel Bates]

When I go out to shoot on assignment, I don't usually have control of my environment (it's often a candid shot, usually with available light or a little fill flash). I know what f/stop I need to get the shot--wide open for background blur, or stopped down for more depth of field, so I shoot Av to fix that. I also know what shutter speed I need to try for; if I'm shooting sports, anything under 1/500 is asking for motion blur. I adjust the ISO as needed to keep the shutter speed in the "good" range.

Hopefully that helps some...

[CobyPhoto]

I shoot entirely in Manual mode. Even sports, which I do a good deal of, I like to shoot manual. Meter the event before, or shoot and chimp to get the settings then leave it there. (Unless conditions change.)

Too many factors can affect the metering and choice of shutter speed that a camera cannot detect and adjust for. The reason I am being paid is because I know how to detect. meter and expose for those situations. Not let my camera do it.

Granted, I will shoot in AV mode occasionally...especially on the fly and if I am pressed for time or to get the shot. But 99% of the time, I am in Manual mode.

On flash...I don't use Canon flash, (though I have 2 - 580 EX's) most of the time. I use a Quantum T5D set on Auto or Manual settings. Same problem...I don't trust the meter in the camera for exposure, why would I trust it just because I added a flash? One of these days Canon will put a manual or auto mode on their flashes and I will really get some use out of them.

CJ

[Daniel Bates]

There's a Manual mode on the 580, CJ.

[Reuel]

I've got another one that's a little different: ballet performances. I had the dickens of a time getting good exposures until I went to manual. The problems are numerous: costumes vary in brightness from all-white to all-black, backgrounds may be all-light or all-black, dancers are often lifted and get closer to lights, and of course everyone's moving around so you need a shutter of at least 1/125 or higher.

At first I tried matrix metering, but that failed miserably with light costumes and black backgrounds. Then I tried spot metering the dancers, but the variability in costume brightness caused that to fail. Manually metering a grey card has worked the best.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by pm-image

But I'm no pro...and I'm trying to understand why many pros use this mode.

Two examples...

Two football teams - one wearing a black jersey, the other wearing white. Meter reading on white jersey reads 2 stops over exposed, I'm right on. Meter reading on black jersey reads two stops under exposed, I'm right on.

Concert photography - very easily fooled with the ever changing lighting conditions of some shows. Look at the shot of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails jumping in mid air heavily back lit by the rapid on stage strobes, on my Entertainment page. It's about 15 images deep at http://www.zeppzone.com/entertainment Had that been shot in an automatic mode the shot would have been exposed extremely dark, fooled by the burst of backlight.

I shoot about 85% on manual mode and an even higher percentage with spot metering as my metering mode.

At least I know if an exposure is blown it's my fault and not the camera making a reading and exposing incorrectly.

It's really not that much slower to shoot in manual mode and the results are far more consistent from shot to shot.

IN GENERAL - It's a lot faster to read your exposure and make the change on the fly manually than remember if you have plus or minus exposure compensation dialed in and how much and in what direction.


Edited: added concert example link

[brad]

That answers your questions pretty well... 3 different answers from at least 4 different people... we're all shooting in different circumstances... sometimes, Av is fine... sometimes Tv is fine... and some situations that Zepp pointed out really require manual mode (I rarely shoot any of these situations that he pointed out, but I would be in M, too).

In other words.. do what works because YMMV, IMHO, FWIW

[iCe]

10-4 ^^^

I've been moving to shooting more M than Av but it depends on what I'm shooting and where.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by brad

In other words.. do what works because YMMV, IMHO, FWIW

What exactly does YMMV, IMHO, FWIW actually mean????



I think that IMHO means "In My (ever so) Humble Opinion," but I am trying to make sure. I know Scott uses YMMV all the time and it is about time for me to understand ...

~ edd