Why are photographers who use Auto modes so mocked by others?

Full automatic can be likened to driving the Interstate highway between LA and San Francisco. It's OK, gets you there, and there are a number of photographic opportunities along the way.

Taking the Pacific Coast Highway instead takes longer, but the photographic opportunities are endless.

Indoors, I shoot mostly Av, with some M. Outdoors in daylight, mostly Auto, with some Av. At night, mostly Av and some M.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Since I didn't want to bore folks with a thesis length explanation of the fully benefits/disadvantages of a particular mode, I simplified the explaantion to primarily the trilogy of exposure control (shutter, aperture, ISO)

What's going on Jim? Your threads have become very deep and 'reflective' all of a sudden - are you writing a book? :p

My answer to your question is:

One-upmanship and more generally; human nature.

We all like to think we've got it sorted out, and those who don't do it my way just don't "get it".

The responses to this very topic give you an insight into the way people think; a vast proportion have largely ignored the question altogether and simply stated what mode they shoot in. Further, it's only page 4 and the questioning/belittling of other peoples statements has already started!

That said, I actually see very little mocking toward specific people about using Auto. I DO see (and make) statements like "that guy probably shot it in Auto" or "may as well be a Green Box shooter" in reference to some faceless person/group being inexperienced or producing poor work. I guess because Auto is synonymous with very green beginners it's somewhat of a short-hand for being a noob. It's often derogatory in a sense but rarely malicious.

My experience on POTN is that anyone shooting in Auto is often actively trying to improve, and thus solicits (and gets) advice on how to learn the principles of exposure.

fotoworx wrote in post #14301706
Why are photographers who use Auto modes so mocked by others? You see it on every photography forum.

It's used as an insult "I bet you've never had your camera off Program" etc etc

Yet Auto Focus is such a big deal to just about everyone? Everyone worries so much about a bodies AF capabilities and they have no qualms about letting the "computer" in the body handle AF for them.

Why are people so contempuous towards P shooters, yet use AF to their advantage?

If people are so purist, why not use manual focus all the time?

AV & TV mode the body is doing 1/2 the thought process for you and the vast majority of people seem to use AV & TV a lot of the time.

I think it's more the people who buy a $3500 camera and use it on auto mode.

I see no problem with using a Rebel or P&S in auto mode.

krb wrote in post #14301783
The same behavior exists on every forum, regardless of subject. The only difference is that if you go to an off-road forum they'll be mocking people who buy SUVs but never leave paved roads. Or if you go to a motorcycle forum they'll be mocking people who only use their bike to look cool as they pull up in front of the local bar. Or whatever is appropriate to that specific forum.

And none of that bothers me because if people are going to brag then I'd rather see them bragging about using the gear they have than to see them bragging about owning expensive gear that they don't know how to use.

No, SUV's are fine and most should stay on paved roads. But when you get an SUV that's a 4x4 and put off-road tires on it, lift it, etc. and then never leave paved roads....then you get mocked.

Foodguy wrote in post #14301909
How is shooting in manual mode and using the built in meter any different than shooting in one of the semi-auto modes and using exposure compensation?

Because to get an accurate exposure you have to understand how your camera is metering and adjust the exposure compensation accordingly to what you want to do.

Heh! You know, it's funny. Maybe because of this thread or another one but I had been messing with my camera and left it in the P mode.

Today, I saw a scene that interested me because of the play of sunlight and shadows, so I grabbed my gear. I took a shot, and then realized I was in P mode, which would not be my choice for an outdoor shoot, so I switched to M and also bumped things up a bit to "Expose To The Right"...

So here's the P mode, which gave me 1/640 and f/10 at ISO 400:

Just a sec....just donning my asbestos flame suit...ok got in on now (damn I've put on some weight )......big deep breath....Tony, gotta' say mate that P mode shot is pretty good compared to the M shot

SOK wrote in post #14310967
What's going on Jim? Your threads have become very deep and 'reflective' all of a sudden - are you writing a book? :p

OMG I must gettin' old and reflective

I honestly don't care which mode people shoot in

When I started shooting racing I used the "running man mode" most of the time - I was a total beginner, didn't have a clue what I was doing and that seemed like the best place to start.

So I shot and learned. And after a while I switched to Tv, since it gave me more control over shutterspeed. Then also started to play with Av and Manual. And I still didn't look down on the "running man", because it helped me to get started. Yes, it doesn't give you much control, but it's in no way bad, just different.

And who says we HAVE TO use Manual mode? Photography is such a subjective thing visually, there can't be any hard rules. Use what you like. Shoot what you like. And have fun!

I shoot in M because I'm just learning. I always want to know what the settings are. Getting to where I can look and have an idea of where I need to set.
I figure I'll use shutter and aperture priorities when I feel I know the camera better.

I use auto focus because at 54 my eyesight is not so good. Additional af grabs contrast as opposed to auto making several choices

Another thought .......Italy, rebel and auto changed my photography life.

Spent two weeks in rome shooting all in auto. Came back to pictures that utterly disappointed.
I took some classes, started reading....joined this forum and everything changed.

Numenorean wrote in post #14310988
No, SUV's are fine and most should stay on paved roads. But when you get an SUV that's a 4x4 and put off-road tires on it, lift it, etc. and then never leave paved roads....then you get mocked.

The Hummer on the streets of San Francisco, that never goes to the Sierras!

Wilt wrote in post #14313265
The Hummvee on the streets of San Francisco, that never goes to the Sierras!

You mean the ones with spinners?

Numenorean wrote in post #14310988
No, SUV's are fine and most should stay on paved roads. But when you get an SUV that's a 4x4 and put off-road tires on it, lift it, etc. and then never leave paved roads....then you get mocked.

Exactly.