Tips for getting out of lazy snapper mode?

I am getting very bad for not looking at my settings. To the point that I went around all day the other day shooting without checking a damned thing and ending up shooting everything at 60 in shutter priority mode (I usually shoot P mode and sometimes flick to Tv if I don't think I can hold a shot in low light or Av if I need some background blur) . Oh and sometimes I shoot in low light and still end up with blurry shots even with a F1.4 lens as the 450D seems to lock out ISO's above 800 unless you manually set higher. Switch to manual and only shoot in manual for a while? Also because I wear glasses I tend not to see/look at the stuff going on in the viewfinder. I have a 450D with a small foV and the eye piece is cranked to max one way because of my script and is right on the limit of being slightly blurry. I had intended to get a +- eye piece but not sure which one I need for my script (ask opticians?). tl;dr How do I get into a routine of checking my settings before I hit the shutter? Surely I am not the only idiot doing this.

Shoot in manual. Seriously, you'll either pay attention to your settings or you won't be getting anything. It'll make you better.

Have you tried shooting in live view mode? It sounds like not seeing the scene in the camera may be the root issue.

Dick Emery wrote in post #16268543
I am getting very bad for not looking at my settings. To the point that I went around all day the other day shooting without checking a damned thing and ending up shooting everything at 60 in shutter priority mode

Also because I wear glasses I tend not to see/look at the stuff going on in the viewfinder.

How do I get into a routine of checking my settings before I hit the shutter? Surely I am not the only idiot doing this.

It is a little hard to imagine this. I mean, if you tend not to look at the stuff in the viewfinder, then how do you compose the shot? How do you make sure that you are focusing on the subject?

If the reason you are out shooting is to capture great photos, then, well, wouldn't you be trying to take the best pics possible, all thru the day?

Here's my "tip":
Every time you take a picture*, it may pay to immediately look at the LCD playback and examine the image for composition, focus, motion blur, and depth of field (if important for that particular image). Also be sure to check for exposure on the histogram. If you do this, and anything is wrong with the image you just took, you may be in a position to re-take the image, with corrected settings. Once you leave the scene, or once the light changes, it will be too late, and you will be stuck with an image that is not what it could have been.
*unless you are still locked in on the subject, and don't want to miss subsequent images

quit photography

Chimp.

Shooting in P mode and not even looking in the viewfinder? Why have a DSLR?

iamascientist wrote in post #16268967
quit photography

This, or something like it. It sounds like you're burned out and don't really have the motivation to concentrate on the task. Take a break, give it up for a while, simplify your kit, etc. if none of that works, you might want to re-evaluate your expectations.

Whether you shoot in P or Av/Tv, one should ALWAYS be aware of the settings that the camera has chosen! It prevents screw ups like slow shutter speeds, insufficient DOF, insufficient/too much light, noisy shots due to high ISOs when not needed, etc.

I seldom shoot with even my P&S PHD S95 in 'brainless' mode....no thought of settings, even if the camera sets them all!

iamascientist wrote in post #16268967
quit photography

Hahahaha...


For the OP, the settings determine the look (sharpness, DOF, and exposures) of your shots. If you don't care about the look you want from your shots, obviously you don't need to care about the settings. That's my nice way to put it.

I call it "Point and Shoot Syndrome". I suffered from it as well as I transitioned from my point and shoot camera to a DSLR. What helped me the most was a post I read here on Potn.

Someone had posted an image and was asking for comments. One of the posters told the Op, it was a nice snapshot as opposed to a nice photo. The Op asked what is the difference between a photo and a snapshot and how do you know which you are taking. The reply came back that if you do not know the difference, you are taking snapshots.

At that time, I did not know the difference either but I wanted to find out. I am not sure I have the total difference figured out but I am on my way. From your post, I did not get the impression you know the difference either.

You need to decide if you want snapshots or photos. If snapshots are all you need then put your 450D in full auto or P mode and do not worry about the settings. If you want something more, you need to learn the difference between what you are doing and what you should be doing. You will start seeing the difference I mentioned and I do not think you will want to go back to snapshots.

To me, the difference is what you do before you release the shutter. One of the keys is how I setup the camera before I take the image. If you are not thinking about this key before shooting, you are just thinking about taking a snapshot.

How do you get out of lazy snapper mode? I believe you have to decide you want more from your snaps and then start the process to improving your photographs.

Heh! Keep the dang camera in Auto mode until you are motivated to be "non-lazy"!

Why don't you just shoot in auto? Contrary to the elitism commonly found on photography boards, there's nothing wrong with it.

Well, it's been almost three days since Dick started this thread. He has recieved 12 responses from people who are offering advice and/or criticism. And he hasn't yet responded to any of the replies. Hmmm. I wonder if we have to find a way to get him out of "Lazy Poster Mode", as well as getting him out of "Lazy Snapper Mode"!
(Dick, if this comes across as offensive, I apologize . . . I did not mean it that way.)

iamascientist wrote in post #16268967
quit photography

LOL!

I agree with what other shave said.... Decide if you actually care about composition and getting great results or if you just want snapshots and could care less. If its the latter just leave it in auto for a while and see if you start caring about the little stuff again.