“Shooting Digital by Mikkel Aaland”
I’ve finished [speed] reading Shooting Digital. Very nice book. Very practical view of output-oriented photography.
One thing that I find particularly interesting: Contrary to the belief (at least here in the Philippine photographic community) that you need to use semi-automatic/full manual exclusively to be considered a good photographer, the book seems to prove otherwise.
A whole bunch of shots we’re taken from well known photographers as examples of the techniques used. Surprisingly, most of these examples [taken by professionals mind you] were using full automatic exposure modes (such as P or even the “consumer modes.”)
“View post”
“Canon EOS 300D / Digital Rebel”
I think the book was trying to convey that if you want to take a picture, try not to waste any more time than necessary. If full automatic can get color balance and exposure needed in a shot, then consider yourself done. If it still doesn’t suit your creative needs, that’s when you [and the pros] start using the more “manual” modes.
Makes pretty much sense to me. First order of business is always to get the shot first before the moment is lost, so why fiddle around with tedious settings just for the sake of saying “hey, I shot in manual.”
I wouldn’t dare challenge this misconception when I first started photography. Shooting in P was almost spoiling me and indeed I wasn’t learning anything. But as I’ve used the other manual modes, I’ve come to realize the value of each setting now, and know what to use for my needs.
An example would be when walking with a group of friends at the beach on a perfectly lit day. Unless you intend to put out some experimental artsy shots, why would you force yourself to using the more tedious controls (and possibly waste time) when even the consumer modes can do the job? You’d be faster in your picture taking and your friends will appreciate the more pics you can shoot.
Conversely, during the JVC open, I found myself using Shutter Priority (Tv). It was a low-light situation, and I didn’t have a fast lens (wide aperture). Since it was a sports event, slow shutter speeds are practically useless (unless you have some wierd shot in mind). So I certainly had to pin down the shutter to a reasonable speed.
I was even forced to go Manual (M) at some point. Since the 300D has different metering styles, focusing on a fast moving subject [in low light for that matter] doesnt assure you that the metering used for that mode will calculate the exposure correctly. This was badminton, the players moved like flies… much, MUCH faster (and unpredictable) than basketball. What if it focused on the white shirt on one shot, and Black shorts on the other?
I thought to hell with this shit!, I’ll use M and pin the settings to widest aperture possible and find a shutter speed in the ballpark for a consistent exposure. Since I shoot in RAW, I can fix the nuances in the computer later anyways. Of course zooming in and out made things complicated with a variable aperture lens, but I think I had an easier time in M during the open.
After reading the book, I was thinking “yeah this book really deals primarily with taking pictures and not so much the cumbersome techniques involved with them.” I really appreciated the straightforwardness of the book. It makes you think that even a consumer digicam user will definitely take better pictures after reading it.
I’d recommend the book to anyone. And if the “elite, holier than though, self-proclaimed photophile” sill claims that automatic has no place in real photography, then I say this:
Since you’re so hot about Manual modes, then chuck Av and Tv as well. Hell, why don’t you go the whole nine yards, and go back to film and shoot in manual focus mode too!
Of course it would be easier to simply say “Why don’t you tell that to the REAL professionals?”