Getting out of Auto mode - Picture Perfect
Derek Smith • 14 June 2020
Getting out of full auto mode – picture perfect
Modern day digital cameras have a really powerful processor inside the camera to determine the correct exposure for any given photographic scenario, however the photographs taken on full auto mode may not have the impact, or depth that you as a creative photographer might have desired when you click that shutter.
So, let’s examine the other modes on a digital camera.
Program Mode (P)
In this mode the camera determines the correct exposure by computing the shutter speed, and aperture for a given scene, usefully the photographer is able to control the ISO. In a low light setting the camera may well push the ISO to 1600, or even 6400, resulting in an image that displays a lot of noise in the shadow areas of the image. Lowering the ISO to say 800, will achieve an image with less noise, remember though that in Program mode the shutter speed may well be slowed down, with the possibility of a blurred image by camera shake, or subject movement.
Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)
This is the best mode for fast moving subjects, trains, boats, cars, motorbikes, aircraft, and any sports. In these situations the subject is the most important part of the image, and the background is unimportant. Choose a shutter speed of say 1/500 to totally “freeze” any action, ensuring a blur free image, slow the shutter speed down to achieve motion blur on wheels, or aircraft propellers. I would recommend setting ISO to Auto ISO, in this way ensuring the shutter speed is set as required, and only the aperture will be controlled by the camera.
Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)
In this mode the photographer determines how much of the subject is in clear view, and the camera controls shutter speed for the correct exposure. In a landscape scene close, or “stop down” the aperture for a clear, sharp image from a few feet in front of the camera to infinity, a typical aperture would be anything from f/5.6 – f/16, the aperture settings are dependant on camera, lens, and sensor size, and only by experimenting will the correct aperture be found. Aperture priority mode is an ideal setting for portraiture, still life, and flowers. A wedding photographer may well choose an aperture of f/2, to give a sharp portrait of the bride, and groom, whilst achieving a soft blurred background. Again choose Auto ISO if the light is changeable, ensuring the shutter speed is fast enough to exclude motion blur.
Manual Mode (M)
In this mode the photographer has total control over all of the settings, some photographers contend that you should only shoot in Manual mode, personally I disagree, the camera is very capable of computing the correct exposure in Aperture, or Shutter priority modes. I do however use Manual priority mode in controlled situations, a studio for example, where the lighting can be accurately controlled. I use Manual mode in this fashion; firstly, I set the ISO to the base value of 100, or 200 (not low as this is a computed ISO), secondly I adjust the Aperture to suit, usually a fairly wide f/1.2 – f/4 to give the correct depth of field on the subject. Thirdly, adjust the shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure using the inbuilt camera light meter. Where I use an off-camera flash, typically I set the exposure to -2 then adjust the flash power to compensate.
Modern day digital cameras have a really powerful processor inside the camera to determine the correct exposure for any given photographic scenario, however the photographs taken on full auto mode may not have the impact, or depth that you as a creative photographer might have desired when you click that shutter.
So, let’s examine the other modes on a digital camera.
Program Mode (P)
In this mode the camera determines the correct exposure by computing the shutter speed, and aperture for a given scene, usefully the photographer is able to control the ISO. In a low light setting the camera may well push the ISO to 1600, or even 6400, resulting in an image that displays a lot of noise in the shadow areas of the image. Lowering the ISO to say 800, will achieve an image with less noise, remember though that in Program mode the shutter speed may well be slowed down, with the possibility of a blurred image by camera shake, or subject movement.
Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)
This is the best mode for fast moving subjects, trains, boats, cars, motorbikes, aircraft, and any sports. In these situations the subject is the most important part of the image, and the background is unimportant. Choose a shutter speed of say 1/500 to totally “freeze” any action, ensuring a blur free image, slow the shutter speed down to achieve motion blur on wheels, or aircraft propellers. I would recommend setting ISO to Auto ISO, in this way ensuring the shutter speed is set as required, and only the aperture will be controlled by the camera.
Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)
In this mode the photographer determines how much of the subject is in clear view, and the camera controls shutter speed for the correct exposure. In a landscape scene close, or “stop down” the aperture for a clear, sharp image from a few feet in front of the camera to infinity, a typical aperture would be anything from f/5.6 – f/16, the aperture settings are dependant on camera, lens, and sensor size, and only by experimenting will the correct aperture be found. Aperture priority mode is an ideal setting for portraiture, still life, and flowers. A wedding photographer may well choose an aperture of f/2, to give a sharp portrait of the bride, and groom, whilst achieving a soft blurred background. Again choose Auto ISO if the light is changeable, ensuring the shutter speed is fast enough to exclude motion blur.
Manual Mode (M)
In this mode the photographer has total control over all of the settings, some photographers contend that you should only shoot in Manual mode, personally I disagree, the camera is very capable of computing the correct exposure in Aperture, or Shutter priority modes. I do however use Manual priority mode in controlled situations, a studio for example, where the lighting can be accurately controlled. I use Manual mode in this fashion; firstly, I set the ISO to the base value of 100, or 200 (not low as this is a computed ISO), secondly I adjust the Aperture to suit, usually a fairly wide f/1.2 – f/4 to give the correct depth of field on the subject. Thirdly, adjust the shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure using the inbuilt camera light meter. Where I use an off-camera flash, typically I set the exposure to -2 then adjust the flash power to compensate.
Stay safe, and enjoy your photography.
Louth Photographic Society
Last night we held our PDIOTY (PDI of the Year) competition, our judge for the evening was Jorg Malinowski. These annual competitions are an opportunity for members to showcase their best images from the year, some of course from the monthly competitions, as such the competition entries were of an extremely high standard. Jorg performed an excellent job of judging the entries, and the results are all on the website Competition page. Congratulations to Harry Kerman for gaining the title of PDI of the Year with his White Cosmos image.
Good Morning All While we were away the other week we did have a walk around Blackpool. I only took my compact camera which I bought in 2011 but it still works ok and takes decent photographs. It is a Panasonic LX5 which fits in a pocket and is useful now and again. Last week we had mini lectures; photographs we had taken on this year's outings. Four members took part with Richard Hildred filling in with wedding photography from forty odd years ago, a very interesting look at how Richard went about photographing weddings, very different from today with far less photographs been taken. The outings did show we managed to photograph insects and birds on our walks around Red Hill and Rimac. I finished the evening with photographs taken in Somerset and Devon in 2020. This week, Wednesday 19th November, we hold our PDIOTY (PDI of the year) to be judged by Jorj Malinowski of Lincoln. It will be an evening of our best photography and we have just over fifty entries. The NEMPF exhibition acceptances have now been decided, well done to Dave Turner who had two accepted and I managed one acceptance myself. The standard for acceptance is very high, we had four members enter twenty nine PDI'S all together and only three acceptances . We had a lot of near misses, the score required was twelve and we had twelve elevens between us. You will see the exhibition at our club next year. Regards Graham
At our meeting last night members gave a series of mini lectures with 3 members showing images from the club outings to Red Hill, and Rimac. The meeting was completed by Richard Hildred showing some of his early slides. One of the principles of our Society is that we feature workshops, and outings into our annual programme, because the best way to learn photography is to work with other photographers to understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. In June at the Red Hill nature reserve the idea was to capture some macro images of the local insect life, and the orchids at this location. Laying, or kneeling in the grass to get close to the insects, or flowers, our members would begin to understand depth of field with using different apertures, each photographer will have his own method of achieving optimum exposure, and sharpness. Personally I tend to use aperture priority mode (A or Av on the mode dial), auto focus, and “rock” gently back and forwards to gain the focus on the subject. At Rimac, members had a lot more latitude to photograph some bird-life, or landscapes. These are some sample images from the Red Hill, and Rimac nature reserves.
Good Morning All A few more photographs from Sedbergh. Sedbergh has a tree that stands out, not quite as Sycamore gap was but on top of a hill with Crook Fell behind it. I did walk to the top of Crook Fell, got a bit wet but a dramatic sky. Last week at the club we had an excellent presentation from Mike Bennett LRPS DPAGB EFIAP BPE3* Mike showed us some of his latest photographs and as Derek's blog says, the sharpness and exposure accuracy of Mike's photographs was second to none. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 12th November, we are holding a mini lecture night, camera club outings that we went to this year, which was Rimac and Red Hill. We have four members taking part plus Richard Hildred has offered to show us some more older transparencies. The four are Myself, Dave Turner, Chris and Paul Twomey. Don't forget to send your PDI of the year entries to Harry by midnight Wednesday (12th) Regards Graham
Our speaker last night was the highly talented Mike Bennett, he presented the club with some amazing photographs. For the first half of the presentation he showed many portraits, with the backgrounds skilfully changed, and several composited images. Included in this first half were many travel photos from Serbia, many of the buildings showing the scars of the civil war, photos from Budapest, and Austria. His wildlife photos of pelicans taken at Lake Kerkini in northern Greece were amazing, even though the weather wasn’t all that favourable, and that completed the first half of the evening. After the break, Mike showed us his wildlife photos from the game reserve in Eswatini, (bordering South Africa). The bird photos were very sharp, many of the species such as the Rollers, Vultures, and Ibis are only to be seen in Africa, Mike explained the four “F’s” of bird photography, Flying, Fighting, Feeding, and … yes you’ve guessed it being Friendly. Various other animals were shown, lions, crocodiles, rhino, elephants impala, and warthogs. It was interesting to see the extreme close-up photographs of the rhino, and elephants, as Mike explained those animals are big grey lumps, and sometimes a more interesting photo can be an extreme close-up detailing the skin texture. Mike related how their safari vehicle became held up by a herd of elephants on the track ahead, then a big bull elephant passed behind the vehicle close enough to touch, but of course the group of photographers had to sit absolutely still, until the herd of elephants passed. I was most struck by the photos of the cheetahs, with the photographers walking amongst them!! my favourite from this set was of the cheetah walking up the track pictured on a rise against the sky. The editing, sharpness, and colours from Mike’s photographs was very impressive, it was an extremely good presentation, many thanks Mike.
Good Morning All We have just got back from a week staying at Sedbergh, Cumbria. We had varied weather but not too much rain and some really good light for taking photographs. There is no shortage of water up there the rivers and waterfalls are flowing well. Last week at the club Harry Kerman gave a talk on one of his favourite subjects, flowers. I was not there but going by the blog Harry demonstrated how he goes about taking his photographs with some stunning photographs to show what can be done. This week, Wednesday 5th November, Mike Bennett from Cleethorpes will be our speaker, Mike likes to tell a story with his photographs and seeing some of his talks before it will be an excellent evening. Today, (Sunday) it is the LPA PDI club competition at Nettleham village hall near Lincoln. 1.30 pm for 2pm start. If you have nothing on this afternoon why not go along and see how we get on. The week after (12th November) we hold a series of mini lectures, with this year's club outings as the topic. If you would like to take part, email me please and I will see how many members want to take part. Harry is also taking entries for this year's PDI of the year, all the rules are on our website but any image that has not been in a PDI of the year before and there are six subjects with a maximum of six photographs in all. Closing date is 12th November. Regards Graham
At our meeting last night one of our members, Harry Kerman gave a talk on one of his favourite genres, flower photography. Harry's talk was accompanied by a slick, professional standard power point presentation, he also had his camera a Canon R6 II, a Sigma 105mm macro lens, a Lens Baby 56mm manual focus lens, and the standard 24-70mm zoom. Harry demonstrated his use of the equipment, which included backgrounds, a plamp to hold flowers in place, and a light box. After the break Harry presented some of his images, projected onto the screen, not all the images were "perfect" he wanted to show some of his mistakes so that we could learn from them, he also welcomed feedback from members, all of the flower images he showed were stunning, and you can see some of them on this post. It was an inspiring evening, providing many techniques, and creative ideas for members to emulate. Harry's passion for flower photography shone through during the whole talk, his clear narration, power point presentation, demonstrations, and images completed a very successful night. Thank you Harry for a fascinating evening, and to Richard Hildred for the refreshments during the break.
Good morning, All Last week at the club we held a retro night, with four members showing pre year 2000 transparencies. It turned out to be a really interesting evening, I didn't know Richard Hildred had started out at an early age photographing trains, it turned out himself and member Chris Birchmore were travelling on the Flying Scotsman in 1967 at the same time. There is a full report on the evening on our blog. This week, Wednesday 29th October, Harry Kerman, one of our members will be showing some of his projected images, and talking about his interest in flower photography. Don't forget Harry is now taking entries for our PDIOTY (Projected Digital Image Of The Year) competition. (closing date 12th November) Regards Graham
Last night was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with four of our members presenting a slide show taken before year 2000. Now we all remember sitting in a darkened living room showing your latest holiday slides to friends, and neighbours, that click and whir as the slides changed, the stuck slide, the one that was upside down, or back to front, and uncle Jim dozing on the settee! It wasn't quite like that for last night's presentation, Richard Hildred began the evening with some amazing images of railways from British Rail days, we might ride one of the preserved heritage lines, and see the gleaming clean steam engines pulling a line of carriages, Richard's images returned us to the reality of steam powered passenger and freight operations, with the dirt, the grit, and grime of daily steam running, this image captures the essence of steam hauled mixed goods traffic, Richard's slide was in colour, but renders better here in monochrome. Next up was Tony Gaskins, many of his slides featured his first trip to the Maasai Mara game reserve, and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tony also showed slides from his trip to Canada, his slides and narration made for a great presentation. This image of a mother elephant, and calf was taken in the Ngorongoro Crater. After the break, Chris Birchmore presented many images from the Lincolnshire area, some of the disused, and crumbling buildings in the images made interesting subjects for photography, I have used this image of Bolingbroke castle, and from this viewpoint the church is clearly visible in this image, compared with today where only the church tower is visible. Graham Harrison was our last presenter, last but not least, the variety of images shown was remarkable, several from Wales, and quite a few that had been entered into club competitions previously, and were of high quality, as this image of a Flamingo shows. It was a fascinating, and interesting evening, thanks to each of our presenters, and to Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Good Afternoon, All, Last week at the club we held our monthly print competition, with the categories of "Mono" and "Open", judged by Diane Seddon. It was a very good evening with Diane critiquing our prints with helpful comments on how we could improve our images as well as praise. The results are on our website but well done to David Whitehouse for best print in the mono and Dave Turner for best print in the open. This week, Wednesday 22nd October, we go back in time to before the millennium with transparency slides to be shown by Tony Gaskins, Chris Birchmore, Richard Hildred and myself. You can start sending Harry your entries for the PDI of the year, all the rules etc are on our website, but the important thing is you can enter any PDI's as long as they have never been in a PDI of the year before. There are six subjects and an overall max of six PDI's, no more than three per subject. Regards Graham
