Shooting Manual

There really is no other way to learn to consistently make correct exposures than to start with learning how to shoot a fully manual exposure. Once you’ve learned how to shoot in manual exposure mode you can start experimenting with light and camera settings which will help you understand why you get various outcomes when you choose to shoot in semi- or full auto exposure mode. From there you can experiment more and learn to make corrections for all kinds of lighting situations.

Easy Breezy Practice:

1. Set your camera dial to M for manual and the lens opening to the number 5.6 (f/5.6). (If you don’t know how to set your camera, get out your camera manual!)

2. Find a movable subject – your child or your dog or your favorite decorative vase or a patient friend.

3. Go outside. Place your subject up against the house or some tall shrubbery. Preferably in a shady area or if it’s an overcast day, anywhere outside will do. (we will talk more about light in a later post – just trust me for now)

4. Look through the viewfinder and focus on your subject.

5. Adjust your shutter speed until the camera’s light meter indicates a “correct” exposure in your viewfinder and take the photograph.

Look at you fancy pants! You’ve just made a manual correct exposure! Seriously – Operating in manual exposure mode is empowering and pure awesomeness! Congratulations – photography only gets more and more fun from here.

Next week we will talk about the basic Photography Trinity (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) that you will use to get the correct exposure every time.

Please let me know in the comments what you think about these photo tips and if there is any thing specific you’d like to read about in future posts.

Thanks

e

Category: Basic Photo Tips, Elizabeth Chavez - Photography