Learning to shoot

[bob5820]

Years back when learning to shoot I remember the thinking was stick with a 50mm lens and stay on manual. It seems from what I have read about DSLR's the recommendation is to learn with a single medium zoom lens. But what about the program settings, unless I'm mistaken it looks like shooting in a pure manual mode has fallen out of favor. So while I'm learning do I leave the camera on P or chose either aperture or shutter priority depending on the situation.

 

[wisredz]

I'm learning as well and use generally manual mode. Dunno why, it's just the way I used my point and shoot as well. It all comes down to sam thing if you ask me though. My D200 shows which combination is the right exposure values, then I compose and shoot...

 

[John T]

...........So while I'm learning do I leave the camera on P or chose either aperture or shutter priority depending on the situation.

It all depends on what you want to do! When I started photography, you had to adjust the aperture, shutter speed and focus. Few cameras had built-in meters and so we used a separate one in order to calculate correct exposure (I've still got my Western Master IV!). Nowadays it's "auto everything" which removes most of the effort - all that's necessary is to frame the shot and press the shutter.

Technology is moving ahead at such a rate, I should imagine that the majority of todays budding photographers haven't a clue what happens when they press the shutter release! Having said that - why should they? As you say - "just leave the camera on P or chose either aperture or shutter priority depending on the situation" - and have fun!

 

[greenmac]

I just leave it on P most of the time, unless I'm shooting moving obects, then S, or I want a particular DOF then A. I'm no Pro, but I'm sure they wouldnt use M too much, unless they specifically want to overexpose/underexpose.

 

[beavo451]

I shoot manual 90% of the time. The only times I shoot in A or S mode is when the lighting is changing too quickly and I don't have my flash. I never shoot P mode.

 

[b0tt094]

i have a d50 and personally I enjoy setting all the setting all th settings myself... it makes me feal like i own the picture more, the settings i dont like is the sports setting... It just doesn't fit my standareds