shooting in Manual

[equetefue]

I've always shot in Aperture priority, but I think I will have lot better control under Manual..

Any tips from all you pro's out there ?

[pagnamenta]

It's best when lighting is constant or if you have time adjust your settings. Using spot metering is amazing, you can get great results if you know how to use it.

[B3SEO]

You can experiment more with shutter speed, and aperture in manual. You can create certain types of effects (blurred background, panning, etc..) One thing about shooting in manual mode, you have to stay on our toes alot more, and be aware of both the shutter and the aperture, or you will screw up a lot more shots.

[Dchemist]

I use aperture priority 90% of the time. If I am a backlight situation or have some other special requirement I will use manual but it is a great deal more work. For me the camera does a pretty good job of setting the shutter speed. Dennis

[kevin_c]

Originally Posted by equetefue

I've always shot in Aperture priority, but I think I will have lot better control under Manual..

Any tips from all you pro's out there ?

You don't have to be a pro to use Manual mode - If you are happy using Av (or Tv), don't think 'M' is suddenly going to make everything 'better'. There is a lot of 'snobbery' about using Manual mode, some people think it makes them a better photographer...

You can still easily alter the meters idea of the 'correct' exposure by using Exposure Compensation, as long as you know why you are using it, and which way to go. I personally tend to use this method.

I'm not knocking Manual exposure, it does give you absolute maximum control, but you must fully understand about exposure and the effect reflected light has on an exposure meter (and mode).

As 'pagnamenta' said, if the light is fairly consistant it can be worth using if your subject is in 'tricky' light - I do this at events sometimes, but it is easy to carry on shooting even though the light may have changed slightly without knowing it (I've done it!).

A lot will depend on what you are shooting, if you shoot a lot of non-moving, backlit landscapes, it may be a good move. If you shoot fast moving objects from different angles, in changing light, it may not.

As I said, this is not a 'dis' of anyone using Manual mode, but just a reminder that it's not always the 'best' mode for any one person or situaltion.

[kevie]

I started out shooting Av and then slowly switched to M once i understood what the settings needed to be to achieve the final image i imagined in my head. But like kevin c said nothing wrong shooting in Tv or Av mode they are pretty similar to M mode. Plus in the end your shooting digital if the image doesnt look right shoot again. If your in a situation where only one image can be taken plan ahead and set the camera to get the picture when it happens.