How do you keep mentally organized?

[vinnyveez]

As I am quite new to photography I was wondering how you guys remember all of your “starting points” (best combination of aperture, speed, etc..) for each different scenario you chance upon. For instance if I were to go to the beach, I would have a different setup than shooting a picture of the moon or shooting indoors. Is there a table on the internet that would give me a starting point for various locations? I know that you have to adjust as situations always change (for example shooting outdoors will change as the day progresses and somedays it may be sunny/cloudy/rainy), but it seems as though there would be a good starting point to work from for each situation you would encounter.
Thanks

[robertwgross]

One way you can get into this is to closely study the example photos in the instruction manual for your camera. Typically, they show standard scenes that are shot with each of the standard exposure modes. Try to set some of those up, on your own, and make some notes about what your camera is trying to set automatically as you go through each one.

You will notice that standards like Sunny 16 and Fast 5.6 will apply. So, keep trying more different scenes and keep making notes about what the camera tries to do on its own.

Then, you take over. You set up the scene and plug in what your eye tells you. You can refer to your notes about what ought to get you into the ballpark, but slowly your eye/brain connection will read the scene more.

It doesn't hurt to take a basic photography class from a local community college or adult education center.

---Bob Gross---

[kawter2]

Honestly you can study technique as much as you can, but it comes down to shooting a TON. The more you shoot the more seccong nature it will be But take note to what happens when you shoot with diferent settings and learn from your mistakes and successes

[IndyJeff]

I don't really have a mental organization for settings. It just comes with experience I guess. I still will ask another shooter what he is at upon occasion, same as I have had others ask me.

My biggest dilema with digital now is remembering to check the ISO setting. WB I have in my mental checklist and still have to add the ISO.

I shot a teacher at my old high school for our alumni association (I am the PR guy for this organization) and when I was done I went down to the gym to see what kind of settings I could get with ambient light. I had to change lenses to the 50 1.8 to get shutter speeds over 1/250. They were underexposed but still recoverable. Then while looking at them on the laptop I remembered the ISO. Checked the camera and sure enough, ISO 100

Since then I am getting better at checking that tho. My check list now is as follows:
1. Battery power
2. Clear CF card
3. WB
4. Single shot or burst
5. One shot or Al Servo
6. Focusing points
7. ISO
8. Apt/shutter settings
9. Backup batteries and cf cards

I always keep fresh battery and new cf cards in a right side pocket. Why? Because that is the "RIGHT" place to get new and the "LEFT" side is the place where used stuff should be left alone.

edit: If your in a situation and have no clue as to where you should be in apt/shutter settings, set the camera to P mode and see what it tells you is the optimum settings for correct exposure.

[Jon, The Elder]

VinnyV- The more experienced of us use a mental list very similar to IndyJeff's idea. That list should become a fundamental part of your shooting "mindset". build up what works for you and make it a ritual.

Just as important: build a "download/backup/reformat/battery charge" list.

Once you have it perfected- DO NOT skip a step or count on remembering it later.

Self discipline is very important.
If you like Indy's list - have it tattooed on the inside of your eyelids. That way you can fool people into thinking you are meditating.

[robertwgross]

Yes, I was going to have a checklist tattoed on the inside of my eyelids. I guess eyelids are like the human's shutter mechanism. My own shutter keeps getting locked closed.

---Bob Gross---

[primoz]

Uff good question. To be honest I don't know how to remember those things. I guess it's just experience as Jeff said, and you know what to do at certain occasion, since I never say "hmm.. cloudy today... what settings did I use last week when shooting skiing and it was about same cloudy?".
And yeah I have same problems as Jeff. Everything else is automatic but ISO settings are something I can't remember to check (damm when will Canon include this to display of 1d without loosing other info?? ). I usually have same checklist as Jeff and I'm lucky I usually shot in kinda same conditions. So there's no indoor outdoor combination in same shooting and this means much less chances for screwed up iso settings :)
So in my opinion only thing which helps is practice. And with practice you get experiences so it's easier every time you go out and shot :)

[DocFrankenstein]

:confused:

Sounds like you don't meter at all.

If you have moving subjects, then high shutter speed is your priority.

If you have something else, just use the meter in your camera. Meter for the sky - add 2-3 stops and shoot.

[OceanRider]

one word...experience I need more!!!

[KennyG]

I must be one of the odd people here. ISO is very important to me to control DOF, so it is something I never fail to check. Doc, shutter speed depends on what you are shooting and the effect you want and high shutter speeds are not always wanted or needed.

Everyone has their own way of assessing settings and, within a tolerance, there isn't always an exact answer. I stand next to people who shoot racing cars at far too high a shutter speed, but maybe they like them to look 'parked, instead of moving. Some things are a matter of taste.

My number one suggestion would be to spend some time with someone who knows what they are doing as the web has ten thousand answers for every question and all but one of them is wrong.

[Longwatcher]

Is there a table on the internet that would give me a starting point for various locations? I know that you have to adjust as situations always change (for example shooting outdoors will change as the day progresses and somedays it may be sunny/cloudy/rainy), but it seems as though there would be a good starting point to work from for each situation you would encounter.

Just for trivia The April 2005 Peterson's Photographic had a starting point list for night shots like you asked for, it might be on their web site www.photographic.com.
It was part of their Super Course series.

Just thought I would mention it.

[PhotosGuy]

“starting points” (best combination of aperture, speed, etc..) for each different scenario
Walk around & find the point to shoot from to get the perspective I need.
Pick the lens to get it. If no zoom lens, then adjust your position to accomodate the lens I'm using.
LOOK around - is this really where I want to be?
Adjust the focus point.
Pick the f-stop to get the right amount of DOF.
Set the shutter speed.
Set the ISO.
LOOK around - is anything changing?
Take the pic.
Repeat as needed. ;-)

[Tom W]

I must be one of the odd people here. ISO is very important to me to control DOF, so it is something I never fail to check. Doc, shutter speed depends on what you are shooting and the effect you want and high shutter speeds are not always wanted or needed.

Everyone has their own way of assessing settings and, within a tolerance, there isn't always an exact answer. I stand next to people who shoot racing cars at far too high a shutter speed, but maybe they like them to look 'parked, instead of moving. Some things are a matter of taste.

My number one suggestion would be to spend some time with someone who knows what they are doing as the web has ten thousand answers for every question and all but one of them is wrong.

We of the digital age are lucky enough that we have the ability to alter ISO "on the fly" - that gives us 3 good tools to deal with our exposure.

A lot of the "remembering" is primarily experience, along with knowing the basics. Know what happens at high vs. low shutter speed, wide vs. stopped-down aperture, and high vs. low ISO. Apply the principals to get close, and experience to get it just right.

Oh yeah, and practice, practice, practice. Its free in digital and you will develop a "feel" for some things (and I need to listen to my own advice). :)

[smoothjazzgal]

I would recommend reading the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. He divides photography into 7 "creative exposure options" and explains how to figure out which of the options is appropriate for the particular shot you want to take. The option you choose will determine which setting you should first consider, with other settings falling into place. Since reading this book, I am SO much faster at sizing up my surroundings, deciding how I want my photo to look and choosing appropriate settings. It's also saved me time in that I now do a LOT less photoshopping to correct bad exposures (and not-so-creative or badly-composed photos)! Another nice thing about this book is it is chock-full of Peterson's photos along with the settings used for each of them. I think you will find it as valuable as I have.
-Kristi

[Andy_T]

Another solution ... turn on your camera and turn it to 'p' mode ...

... your camera is pretty smart and can handle normal requirements (not: moon shots, fireworks, sunsets) well.

Set the ISO so that you get a decent shutterspeed/aperture combination (nothing flashing or blurred pictures :wink: ), start with a low number (e.g. 200) to keep noise down.

Best regards,
Andy

Best regards,
Andy