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JoeWhitley

JoeWhitley

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Joe
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Just out of curiosity, how many of you guys actually alter the setting for each shot?
As I'm really new I don't have a clue what affects things and just use the recommended settings like landscapes and close-up etc. Will this limit me (meaning I need to learn properly) or am I OK to keep on as I am?

Thanks a lot in advance.
 
Hi Joe,

Like you, I am fairly new to photography and this forum! I have an EOS 400D and until recently have used the 'auto' settings but just lately have been experimenting with the manual settings. I think its the best way to learn and the beauty of a digital camera is that you can see the results immediately with no cost of developing involved!

I shall watch this thread with interest and hopefully learn more from the great guys and gals on this forum.

Reg :)
 
Hi Joe if your in manual you have to alter the settings, or youll get a carp image unless your lucky, I only shoot in manual,

although I do have settings I prefer for macro, landscapes, birds/wildlife, portraits all have different settings, and nearly always use them, but still shooting in manual, you always have to adjust the exposure time in each shot, except macro where the settings are always the same if Im hand holding
 
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Perhaps not for each shot, but I tend to work mostly in RAW/manual, and where it's possible I will take a number of shots of everything I shoot. I'll vary shutter/ aperture/ zoom/ angle/distance/whatever by a bit for each frame, then assess the result in post. The best goes on to the client.

The more shots you take, the more you have to choose from. As one shot is likely to be better than the others, I reckon it makes sense to hedge your bets.

Of course brilliant photographers will be able to take a single shot and get a perfect result. I wish I were one of these...
 
JoeWhitley said:
Just out of curiosity, how many of you guys actually alter the setting for each shot?
As I'm really new I don't have a clue what affects things and just use the recommended settings like landscapes and close-up etc. Will this limit me (meaning I need to learn properly) or am I OK to keep on as I am?

Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...

Yeah I change after each shot in Manual unless I am rattling off some on quick succession. In saying that if I am expecting fast action and the metering isn't going to be confused by subject I will tend to shoot in Aperture Priority and let the camera deal with the exposure.

As a beginner, the recommended settings are probably a good place to start. They should let you at least get an exposure suitable for the subject and the settings the camera used will be stored in the EXIF.

When you get a better understanding of what the settings control and how the outcome of the shot is effected, you can refer back to those earlier shots and see what the camera chose. Once you can understand these aspects I would even suggest going directly to Manual mode and fire off as many shots as mentioned by Jon, study the LCD and take some more until you get the expected result.


Some worthwhile reading
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185536
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=99841


The best thing you can do is read the manual and understand what buttons do what, try and get to a level where you can adjust ISO, Shutter and Aperture without having to think about it. You can leave metering, white balance and exposure compensation for a later date:thumbs:
 
I'm a beginner and generally take a few shots of the same thing playing with the setting then check out the results to gauge the difference and see what produced a better shot. Its the only way to truly learn I think, you can read many books but until you're doing it you'll never know the 'real' change.
 
The multiple shot method is all I've tried so far, but it still confuses me, anyone recommend an idiots guide?
 
RegG said:
Hi Joe,

Like you, I am fairly new to photography and this forum! I have an EOS 400D and until recently have used the 'auto' settings but just lately have been experimenting with the manual settings. I think its the best way to learn and the beauty of a digital camera is that you can see the results immediately with no cost of developing involved!

I shall watch this thread with interest and hopefully learn more from the great guys and gals on this forum.

Reg :)
Click to expand...

Great to meet you! What settings do you change on your camera? And how do they affect the shot?
 
Just Dave said:
Hi Joe if your in manual you have to alter the settings, or youll get a carp image unless your lucky, I only shoot in manual,

although I do have settings I prefer for macro, landscapes, birds/wildlife, portraits all have different settings, and nearly always use them, but still shooting in manual, you always have to adjust the exposure time in each shot, except macro where the settings are always the same if Im hand holding
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the advice, Dave.
 
jon ryan said:
Perhaps not for each shot, but I tend to work mostly in RAW/manual, and where it's possible I will take a number of shots of everything I shoot. I'll vary shutter/ aperture/ zoom/ angle/distance/whatever by a bit for each frame, then assess the result in post. The best goes on to the client.

The more shots you take, the more you have to choose from. As one shot is likely to be better than the others, I reckon it makes sense to hedge your bets.

Of course brilliant photographers will be able to take a single shot and get a perfect result. I wish I were one of these...
Click to expand...

Thanks Jon. That makes a lot of sense. I still need to learn all the terms though!
 
AndyB1976 said:
Yeah I change after each shot in Manual unless I am rattling off some on quick succession. In saying that if I am expecting fast action and the metering isn't going to be confused by subject I will tend to shoot in Aperture Priority and let the camera deal with the exposure.

As a beginner, the recommended settings are probably a good place to start. They should let you at least get an exposure suitable for the subject and the settings the camera used will be stored in the EXIF.

When you get a better understanding of what the settings control and how the outcome of the shot is effected, you can refer back to those earlier shots and see what the camera chose. Once you can understand these aspects I would even suggest going directly to Manual mode and fire off as many shots as mentioned by Jon, study the LCD and take some more until you get the expected result.


Some worthwhile reading
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185536
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=99841


The best thing you can do is read the manual and understand what buttons do what, try and get to a level where you can adjust ISO, Shutter and Aperture without having to think about it. You can leave metering, white balance and exposure compensation for a later date:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the in-depth answer, Andy, it's much appreciated. I'll give those pages a read and try get better!
 
ShakyUK said:
I'm a beginner and generally take a few shots of the same thing playing with the setting then check out the results to gauge the difference and see what produced a better shot. Its the only way to truly learn I think, you can read many books but until you're doing it you'll never know the 'real' change.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip - I'll give it a go.
 
I am now starting to experiment in manual , I use the iPhone light meter ap to hel with this.
 
I too am a noob and mostly I take pictures of Ice Hockey (both my sons play) where the light is usually either pretty grim or the light differs vastly from one end of the rink to the other (which needs settings altered from shot to shot) and thanks to some great advice from this forum, I was advised to go straight into using manual with some recommended settings and now after a few months and a bit of trial and error I understand how each setting affects the end shot (not saying I always get it right tho :bang: ) but it has been a great learning curve for me to understand the camera and all of its functions !! Might sound the wrong way round but now I am experimenting taking different kinds of shot (landscapes / portraits) and am learning the differences between Av and Tv modes
 
Birty said:
(not saying I always get it right tho :bang: )
Click to expand...

What, really, you get it wrong sometimes???:thinking:

Gosh!!

I've been doing this for years, use top end kit, and believe me, I still get it wrong on occasion.

But, the more you practice, the more familiar you become with your equipment, the fewer errors you will make. There are no short cuts in photography, and nothing can replace practice and research.

All those ads that say you can become expert in a week, or that suggest a certain bit of kit will transform your photography, or that claim to reveal `secrets of the pros` (for a very reasonable sum of money, natch...:whistling:) are utter testicles. There are no secrets in photography, just experience and hard work.
 
Birty said:
I too am a noob and mostly I take pictures of Ice Hockey (both my sons play) where the light is usually either pretty grim or the light differs vastly from one end of the rink to the other (which needs settings altered from shot to shot) and thanks to some great advice from this forum, I was advised to go straight into using manual with some recommended settings and now after a few months and a bit of trial and error I understand how each setting affects the end shot (not saying I always get it right tho :bang: ) but it has been a great learning curve for me to understand the camera and all of its functions !! Might sound the wrong way round but now I am experimenting taking different kinds of shot (landscapes / portraits) and am learning the differences between Av and Tv modes
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. I wish I had the guts to experiment but I'm always worried I'll get home, put the shots on my computer and they'll look terrible. Perhaps I should just go for it like you did!
 
jon ryan said:
What, really, you get it wrong sometimes???:thinking:

Gosh!!

I've been doing this for years, use top end kit, and believe me, I still get it wrong on occasion.

But, the more you practice, the more familiar you become with your equipment, the fewer errors you will make. There are no short cuts in photography, and nothing can replace practice and research.

All those ads that say you can become expert in a week, or that suggest a certain bit of kit will transform your photography, or that claim to reveal `secrets of the pros` (for a very reasonable sum of money, natch...:whistling:) are utter testicles. There are no secrets in photography, just experience and hard work.
Click to expand...

Great to hear even an experienced photographer makes mistakes. Thanks for the advice - practice it is! How do you practise? Do you take a lot of shots at home to test the settings or go on shoots? Thanks.
 
JoeWhitley said:
Great to hear even an experienced photographer makes mistakes. Thanks for the advice - practice it is! How do you practise? Do you take a lot of shots at home to test the settings or go on shoots? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Oh yes, I make mistakes! But I know enough to know what to do about it, I hope! This is one of the reasons for taking multiple shots where possible. It's because of Just In Case.

Practice at home is fine. Try setting up a something-or-other (vase of flowers? ) and shoot it. (Stop me if this is getting a bit technical:D).

Set your camera on Manual and use the meter to get a viable reading. Let's say you need 1/30th, f/3.5 and 400ISO to get a reading that will mean a decent exposure. Now alter one of the settings - lift the shutter to 1/60th. You will now be under-exposing, and the meter shows this. So you can open the aperture to f/2.8, letting in more light. Or you can up the ISO to 800, which will boost the sensor sensitivity (sort of - that'll do as an explanation). Now you should again have a good meter reading.

And now you can use your camera meter, which is, I reckon, the most important thing to begin with.

It's been said a few million times, and it's still true: Get to grips with the relationship between shutter, aperture and ISO and you have cracked the basic skill of photography.

Sorry if that all sounds a bit condescending, but I don't know what level you're at. But the more shots you take, the more your photography is likely to improve.
 
jon ryan said:
Oh yes, I make mistakes! But I know enough to know what to do about it, I hope! This is one of the reasons for taking multiple shots where possible. It's because of Just In Case.

Practice at home is fine. Try setting up a something-or-other (vase of flowers? ) and shoot it. (Stop me if this is getting a bit technical:D).

Set your camera on Manual and use the meter to get a viable reading. Let's say you need 1/30th, f/3.5 and 400ISO to get a reading that will mean a decent exposure. Now alter one of the settings - lift the shutter to 1/60th. You will now be under-exposing, and the meter shows this. So you can open the aperture to f/2.8, letting in more light. Or you can up the ISO to 800, which will boost the sensor sensitivity (sort of - that'll do as an explanation). Now you should again have a good meter reading.

And now you can use your camera meter, which is, I reckon, the most important thing to begin with.

It's been said a few million times, and it's still true: Get to grips with the relationship between shutter, aperture and ISO and you have cracked the basic skill of photography.

Sorry if that all sounds a bit condescending, but I don't know what level you're at. But the more shots you take, the more your photography is likely to improve.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound condescending at all! It's exactly what I need to hear as I'm a total beginner. I'll play around with all this at the weekend when I get chance to take some shots. Thanks again, mate :thumbs:
 
JoeWhitley said:
It doesn't sound condescending at all! It's exactly what I need to hear as I'm a total beginner. I'll play around with all this at the weekend when I get chance to take some shots. Thanks again, mate :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Me fee for this lesson is, ohh, let's call it £200, seeing as you're a journo and must be on x's :cool:
 
jon ryan said:
It's been said a few million times, and it's still true: Get to grips with the relationship between shutter, aperture and ISO and you have cracked the basic skill of photography.
Click to expand...
And this has been said plenty of times on here, check out this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0W8B2KB9K1DX6VVSRV8V
(Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera by Bryan Peterson)

Its what really helped me grasp the relationship Jon mentions with a actual hands on way of doing it.
 
RegG said:
Hi Joe,

Like you, I am fairly new to photography and this forum! I have an EOS 400D and until recently have used the 'auto' settings but just lately have been experimenting with the manual settings. I think its the best way to learn and the beauty of a digital camera is that you can see the results immediately with no cost of developing involved!

I shall watch this thread with interest and hopefully learn more from the great guys and gals on this forum.

Reg :)
Click to expand...

That's not always good that you can see results straight away, because you don't actually learn, you're just keep experimenting as longes you get successful.
However film cameras make people think what, how and why to do. Because of the cost of film roll and developing it, you don't just shot with film camera, you're think about each shot. With digital most people just shot and when they get to PP they realize they've gone nowhere.
DIGITAL STOPS YOU FROM LEARNING. Thats why I always say, that you should be starting with FILM CAMERAS. (And also film gives you much better quality image)
 
Kamilbas said:
That's not always good that you can see results straight away, because you don't actually learn, you're just keep experimenting as longes you get successful.
However film cameras make people think what, how and why to do. Because of the cost of film roll and developing it, you don't just shot with film camera, you're think about each shot. With digital most people just shot and when they get to PP they realize they've gone nowhere.
DIGITAL STOPS YOU FROM LEARNING. Thats why I always say, that you should be starting with FILM CAMERAS. (And also film gives you much better quality image)
Click to expand...

That's a really interesting point. I suppose if I pretend I'm using a film camera I'll put the same amount of effort into each shot.
 
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