Vlog 098 – Better Than Shooting Manual

20 years of photography, and I still don't shoot in manual mode unless I have no other choice. My approach is exactly as you said. I put it in aperture priority or shutter priority depending on the situation, set the value I want, and then let the camera do the rest. I'll only step in if the camera can't get it right.

Great advice that is easily transferrable to many other disciplines. Overly focusing on the technical aspects will always pull you out of the "flow" , for most people, unless of course you've achieved mastery.

Good point, thank you. I started shooting manual. I actually don't remember why, probably pretension. I missed many wildlife photos due to the time to setup the camera. I probably spent too much time manually setting my camera, and not enough on composition. Then I learnt more about photography. Now I only shoot nature in aperture priority mode (or shutter priority if I need the LiveND from my OM System camera). If I want to fine-tune exposure, I can change the metering or exposure compensation. Do you like complexity or sophistication? :wink:

Don't be afraid saying bullshit here :) No Silicon Valley Prudishness.

The better that cameras get at doing things automatically, the less technical knowledge that one needs to take good photographs. 30 or more years ago, one did have to know how to use a camera manually to get really good photographs. That is no longer the case. When the automation is good enough to get a good enough exposure to develop in raw, using it can help the photographer to focus on the real artistry and technique of photography.