Manual all the time?

[me100finn]

I was curious if you shoot in manual mode all the time for an event (be it a wedding ceremony, a birthday party, reception for a best friend, etc). If it is in the same room, do you keep things on manual or shoot in shutter or aperture priority to take into account the slight changes in light from different angles?

I shot an event at church recently and found if I stayed in manual it worked 90% of the time - until I obviously got the giant window in the shot. But inside the room itself - manual.

[DStanic]

I like shooting indoors in manual, so I can get a fast enough shutter speed with my flash. Pretty much everything else Av mode 90% of the time.

[PhotosGuy]

until I obviously got the giant window in the shot. The problem wasn't shooting on M, but on your interpretation of what is important in the image? The window was blown, but how did the subject look? RAW would have helped to bring the window back "in" with PP blending 2 exposures.


How the subject affects the exposure & why manual keeps me worry free: Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

[Mike]

I'm a manual convert! I find that I get more keepers now that I shoot manual as opposed to Av or Tv.

[airfrogusmc]

I was curious if you shoot in manual mode all the time for an event (be it a wedding ceremony, a birthday party, reception for a best friend, etc). If it is in the same room, do you keep things on manual or shoot in shutter or aperture priority to take into account the slight changes in light from different angles?

I shot an event at church recently and found if I stayed in manual it worked 90% of the time - until I obviously got the giant window in the shot. But inside the room itself - manual.

YES 100% all the time, spot, manual....

[oaktree]

About 98% of the time. I sometimes go into Aperture Priority, but can't remember the last time I did that.

[FlexiPack]

100% manual for me. When I got my first DSLR i used Av & Tv but after reading about many people singing the virtues of Manual I switched. At first I couldn't understand why anyone would want to use Manual, it took far longer to get set up for a shot.

Whereas now I wouldn't switch back. I might use Av if i was in a hurry to get a shot

[BillMarks]

I shoot manual in my studio. otherwise, it's P mode.

[me100finn]

The problem wasn't shooting on M, but on your interpretation of what is important in the image? The window was blown, but how did the subject look? RAW would have helped to bring the window back "in" with PP blending 2 exposures.

How the subject affects the exposure & why manual keeps me worry free: Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

Some of the shots were washed out a bit too much on the subject - I didnt necessarily care about the blown out window (if need be, I could've layered exposures, but not needed here). I had some jpg shots at the end and they were not nearly as forgiving as the raw formats!! I tried to remember to change from center weight to spot metering, but was shooting quickly and just left it on one or the other. But I am curious how much of an effect the metering has on manual shots.

The post #47 is quite interesting and good info, thanks - only additional comment there would be that an ExpoDisc can also be used to set that exposure as well -for those who have more than their hand. ;)

[Travisj]

I stick to manual just about all the time. The only time I don't is if someone wants a quick snapshot of their kid or cat or something, then I will play around with Tv and Av.

[ugly_a]

I like Av mode. Sometimes use P mode too. It's just easier and faster to capture pictures that way. However, I do sometimes forget to check for shutter speeds in Av mode which results in blurry pictures.

[mspringfield]

For me it depends on what I am shooting. If I am shooting something like cheerleading, gymnastics, or hockey indoor where the lighting is pretty stable/predictable then I am always on manual. Outside in changing conditions then it is usually Av. I am not sure I have ever had a camera in P mode. I even shoot my P&S in manual over ride. :)

Michael