Comments on: 4 Reasons Not to Write off Shooting in Automatic

By: jeffreybaughman

jeffreybaughman — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:38:53 +0000

This is some of the worst advice I have ever read.

By: Kym

Kym — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:02:28 +0000

I primarily use manual mode now, however when I was trying to learn I shot in program mode to learn the settings, and I’d switch back to manual and adjust them by what program mode was telling me to do… It definately helps alot…. One thing that does drive me crazy however, is if I’m shooting in manual, and I forget to focus before adjusting the shutter speed… On my Nikon D80, the same dial you use for changing your shutter speed also scrolls through the pictures… So, if I don’t focus first, and I change the dial trying to change my shutterspeed, I’m really going through all of my pictures on my lcd instead. And when you are chasing children around, through different lights, you don’t have a second to figure out what your doing.. Drives me insane… Trial and error…

By: Cj

Cj — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:41:30 +0000

Allot of merit in a great deal of what is said on both sides. I agree that is u r in a rush then sure, auto will help. But what everyone is forgetting here is the control u sometimes need to take an EXCELLENT photo. What if u want to blur the edges of a face or squash or enhance the depth of field…. How will auto ever help u do that? If u use auto all the time u will only ever get point and shoot photos and never have complete control over the final image. Also, what will u do in a tricky low light condition for example when the auto mode is telling u it can’t take a photo?!! And finally… The cameras meter is not always right remember… It’s just taking a reading and calculating what it thinks is best… What if u WANT to ‘blow out’ the light behind your subjects head in a portrait!? The auto mode won’t allow that even if u set it to spot or partial metering as it will tell u the best overall exposure for the scene.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:22:38 +0000

Oh my goodness. Thank you. I so needed to read this. I have just been asked to shoot my first wedding and am starting to go a little crazy with all the pressure of making sure I shoot “real” photos. I think I’ve been under the impression that if you’re not in the fancy camera modes, you’re not a real photographer. Even though I plan to read up on aperture and shutter speed, it’s really good to be reminded there’s no shame in shooting in auto.

By: Pratik

Pratik — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:05:59 +0000

Thanks!!!
I am currently thinking of moving from Auto to Manual, had a lot of pressure.
Now Not!!!

By: Varun

Varun — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:04:30 +0000

Hey,
Great article, and really helpful. Read it yesterday, went out of town today and wanted to click a few quick pics at this place we stopped at. It was cloudy and windy, and the lighting was changing between metering and clicking. I went to Auto ISO and got some great shots.
Thanks,
A Newbie.

By: jamie

jamie — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:02:08 +0000

what a great article (and reminder) about ms. auto

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:39:13 +0000

I must say that this article helped me out artistically more than technically. And I’m glad to say that. To me, you weren’t speaking to really TEACH someone about what auto technically does, but rather what it CAN do for those who undergo those very common scenarios. The idea of shooting a few in Auto for insurance is brilliant. I’d rather get a ‘not quite’ and work my adobe skills than have a sad example of my amateur (and ignorant) photography. I know that I’m a technical, very technical person, but I’m also an Industrial Designer so I’m slowly melting the artistry into the mix so that I can respect both aspects, and this is a commodity that will certainly give my technical photography a fighting edge!

By: meridith

meridith — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:15:29 +0000

thank you so much for this article, i’ve been so discouraged every since i got my dslr. i am beginning to think (especially from reading these comments) there are two kinds of photographers – the left brained folks that geek out on gear and the technical aspects and turn their nose up at anyone who doesn’t “do it the hard way” and then there are people like me, the right brained that just love to take pictures and get so much joy from it but are not technically or mechanically inclined and don’t have the money to buy more and more gear. i feel like this article is for those like me and i thank you so much for it …… for inspiring creativity, freedom and encouraging us. this doesn’t make me want to learn manual settings or the technical side any less…..it just takes off the pressure and gives me the freedom to go back to what I love …..taking pictures and finding the beauty in everyday life. different people learn in different ways and for those of you that can read a book, take one class or learn manual in an hour …….good for you…….but for me it’s a process and because of this article and some i read yesterday at kenrockwell.com it’s now a fun process again. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:54:08 +0000

Thanks for this article. I have read your other ones on Aperture,Shutter speed and ISO,and just today went out and tried what I learned.Shot in Apeture priority mode with 200 ISO on all my shots. Messed with white balance too. It felt good to use what I learned, yet I am not even close to where I want to be. I think I will use auto somemore and learn from that too. Thanks again, Joe