There seems to be a negative view of the Auto Mode feature on our cameras around here for some reason. Why is that? I MOSTLY use Auto Mode, but not exclusively. I also use the P mode to capture Macro shots (something my iPhone 12 cannot do) and as I learn will use other modes of my camera as well. But no doubt Auto mode is great. ?
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Auto Mode on Cameras
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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There's absolutely nothing wrong with auto mode, it just takes away a lot of creative control around how your subject is rendered in your final image. I like to be able to make a choice of where I want my ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Do I want motion blur? Then I want control over shutter speed. The ability to isolate a subject from the background? Then I want control over aperture. Do I value low noise images? Then I want to control ISO.
If auto mode gives you the images you desire, no one is trying to stop you from using it. If you just want a record of what's in front of you ("photo logging") maybe it's the right thing for you.
If you'd like to expand your horizons and you're interested in exploring creative uses of your camera, maybe spend some time working in manual mode or even in semi-manual modes where you set the aperture or shutter speed.
If auto mode gives you the images you desire, no one is trying to stop you from using it. If you just want a record of what's in front of you ("photo logging") maybe it's the right thing for you.
If you'd like to expand your horizons and you're interested in exploring creative uses of your camera, maybe spend some time working in manual mode or even in semi-manual modes where you set the aperture or shutter speed.
If auto mode gets you the images you want, then have at it and have fun. ? For me, I bought a hybrid camera when I was pregnant with my daughter, and I took so many photos of her as a infant and baby. I would send pictures to the grandparents once a week, and I was totally happy with them. As she approached two years old, I had another newborn, and I realized that 99% of the photos of her were really blurry. Maybe not even a lot blurry, but definitely not nearly as sharp as those I was seeing in other mom focused groups. So when my son was six weeks old, I got a mid level dSLR and actually learned how to shoot manual. It was nice for me because I could strap my kids in high chairs and they wouldn't go anywhere. ?
But of course for someone who doesn't have or want kids, you can still practice manual mode with running water, flowers, furniture, street, etc. Once I was happy with not having blurry kids in my pictures (which was my original goal) I started learning more about depth of field and editing, and now here we are some 14 years later and I am still learning stuff. Actually it's almost my camera-versary because we ordered my first good camera on Thanksgiving weekend.
Getting out of auto mode opens up all sorts of creativity. But maybe you don't want that, and that's okay too.
It's nice that you are asking questions and accepting some of the advice given here. ?
But of course for someone who doesn't have or want kids, you can still practice manual mode with running water, flowers, furniture, street, etc. Once I was happy with not having blurry kids in my pictures (which was my original goal) I started learning more about depth of field and editing, and now here we are some 14 years later and I am still learning stuff. Actually it's almost my camera-versary because we ordered my first good camera on Thanksgiving weekend.
Getting out of auto mode opens up all sorts of creativity. But maybe you don't want that, and that's okay too.
It's nice that you are asking questions and accepting some of the advice given here. ?
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I learnt manual mode pretty early on. It takes seconds to do and it gets me the results I want. I’m in no rush to take a photo. The opposite in fact. I enjoy the process of selecting the correct settings and thinking about the cause and effect.
It’s like the difference between a microwave meal and cooking a meal. Both give you dinner, but one gives you an experience and dinner.
Took me two frames with the new Lumix to totally abandon the auto mode. It all came down focus. In auto the camera has two focus modes. One picks the nearest large object and focuses on that. The other finds something it wants to track and follows it. It's pretty much a crap shoot as to whether it tracks something I want to be the point of focus.
Switching over to P or S modes gives me additional focusing choices including a pinpoint option. I can select the one point I want in focus. It does not have to be dead center. And I can turn on manual focusing which gives me a magnified view of that point just to be sure, plus the ability to over-ride the auto focus should it be a smidge out. It is literally possible to focus on a bird which is partially tucked in behind the branches of another tree or bush.
P lets my wife works it on a P&S basis and also lets me be a bit more creative. While I have a remarkably steady hand, S mode lets me pick the shutter speed. Really handy for hand held shots as you get into the long end of a zoom lens.
Switching over to P or S modes gives me additional focusing choices including a pinpoint option. I can select the one point I want in focus. It does not have to be dead center. And I can turn on manual focusing which gives me a magnified view of that point just to be sure, plus the ability to over-ride the auto focus should it be a smidge out. It is literally possible to focus on a bird which is partially tucked in behind the branches of another tree or bush.
P lets my wife works it on a P&S basis and also lets me be a bit more creative. While I have a remarkably steady hand, S mode lets me pick the shutter speed. Really handy for hand held shots as you get into the long end of a zoom lens.
I'll take the microwave any day, thank you! Couldn't live without mine. I'd rather have a pleasurable experience using my camera, shooting images and later processing them, than spending that same amount of time in the kitchen preparing a meal!
Yes, manual mode definitely offers the photographer much more control over the images he or she shoots, and especially if someone is artistic and creative, having that ability to adjust settings with an anticipated outcome is important during the shooting process.
On my mirrorless I use Av most of the time, but that's just out of habit. I'd like to start using Fv instead, which is sort of a cross between P and M. It's auto, but you can instantly override any setting if you want with one of the dials. So essentially the best of both worlds.
On the P&S I almost always use P. When I'm using it, I want a shot quick. There are times where I need to switch to another mode to get a better shot, and then I go back to P. Or occasionally S in the summer when I'm in running and taking pictures and need the shutter speed above 1/1000" to not blur!
On the P&S I almost always use P. When I'm using it, I want a shot quick. There are times where I need to switch to another mode to get a better shot, and then I go back to P. Or occasionally S in the summer when I'm in running and taking pictures and need the shutter speed above 1/1000" to not blur!
I used to use Aperture priority most of the time, but eventually simply shifted over to manual mode with Auto ISO, and that works pretty well most of the time, although occasionally I do quickly adjust the ISO to something that I know will achieve the desired effect rather than simply trusting that Auto ISO will do that. Auto ISO works especially well when one is shooting under lighting conditions which are likely to change quickly or when one is shooting wildlife (such as squirrels) which may be in full sun one moment and in shade the next.
I don't think I've ever used "Auto" mode or "Program" mode on any camera that I've had over the past 40 years! I do keep my RX100 VII and my RX10 IV set in Aperture priority, though, as those are usually cameras that I'm using when traveling or when I want to just grab a camera and start shooting. The two ILCs are both set in manual mode, as those are the one I use when doing "serious" shooting.
I don't think I've ever used "Auto" mode or "Program" mode on any camera that I've had over the past 40 years! I do keep my RX100 VII and my RX10 IV set in Aperture priority, though, as those are usually cameras that I'm using when traveling or when I want to just grab a camera and start shooting. The two ILCs are both set in manual mode, as those are the one I use when doing "serious" shooting.
Hmmm...it seems that the OP has mastered "classical conditioning" 
Excuse me?????Hmmm...it seems that the OP has mastered "classical conditioning"
actually i think the tone of the op’s posts have changed in recent months and i choose to believe that he is trying to absorb the knowledge we have been giving him.Hmmm...it seems that the OP has mastered "classical conditioning"
i fully admit to being snarky on his posts in the past, but at least one “outsider” indicated he had learned things we’ve discussed on these posts, so i am trying to remain positive here from now on. (although i don’t guarantee i don’t slip up once in awhile)
My apologies! You may be right, although I noticed that we have discussed "the camera's automatic mode" in another of the OP's threads.
As others have said, if you like the results, great!
My D800, D810, and Df don't have "auto" mode and I don't miss it. They mostly stay parked on aperture priority, manual ISO. It's unusual that I even use "P" mode. I find M clunky on a lot of modern cameras(although I'm quite adept at it on manual cameras like the F2 or FM2, or my meterless Hasselblad) but it has its place in tricky light.
Full auto mode-I don't like the camera saying "I'm going to fire the flash now whether you like it or not." Heck, it use to bug me on my D600 when I'd get the little flashing icon that "suggested" using the flash, considering that if I'm going to use flash it's either going to be an external unit or preferably off camera. I also don't like having any say whatsoever over what the camera is doing...
My D800, D810, and Df don't have "auto" mode and I don't miss it. They mostly stay parked on aperture priority, manual ISO. It's unusual that I even use "P" mode. I find M clunky on a lot of modern cameras(although I'm quite adept at it on manual cameras like the F2 or FM2, or my meterless Hasselblad) but it has its place in tricky light.
Full auto mode-I don't like the camera saying "I'm going to fire the flash now whether you like it or not." Heck, it use to bug me on my D600 when I'd get the little flashing icon that "suggested" using the flash, considering that if I'm going to use flash it's either going to be an external unit or preferably off camera. I also don't like having any say whatsoever over what the camera is doing...
i am trying to be respectful to you and have others be as well. but sometimes your indignation doesn’t help you.
please be nice. ?
To each their own of course and I totally respect that some religious groups may have challenges with celebrating Halloween. In my neighborhood it’s the best time of year. The kids are fantastic. There is a strong Hispanic and Catholic influence so we see a lot of Day of the Dead costumes. We are usually too busy handing out candy to photograph, and people are skittish, but it is great, great fun. We literally can see 200+ kids in a night. It’s a great celebration.
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In reality, I was complementing you by saying that you have mastered, "classical conditioning." As such it means that you understand quite well how to persuade people to respond to your posts or threads.