I didn't want to hijack Steve's post about settings used on particular images so I'll start a new one.
The question that gets posed to me, both on my Facebook Group and while I'm out at local parks and hiking areas is "what settings do you use?" [edited to add] This isn't about a specific image but more a general "how to" type question that I get asked fairly frequently. [ end edit]
Rather than giving them the standard answer of "xYZ" I will ask them about their experience level, how long they have had the equipment, what are they after. On Facebook or Instagram, I do this via private message as I wouldn't want to embarrass someone.
Usually, the person asking is a beginner or a person fairly recently into photography or getting back into it after a long hiatus.
My standard answer and advice usually is something like this: "photography is a lot more than the gear or settings. First and foremost, you need to get comfortable thinking in terms of composition, balance and basics like making sure the horizon line is level unless the skewed look is the effect being sought. The best way I know of to accomplish this is to set the camera on "P" or "Auto" and go out to capture images. After a while, you will become comfortable with the images you capture and you will start looking at a scene in terms of composition not just "taking a photo." Once this becomes second nature, then start messing with camera settings. I'd suggest "Aperture Priority" first and then going to manual. Manual gives more creative control over the nuance of lighting/exposure, depth of field, motion etc.; however, many outstanding images have been captured over the years in "P" mode so don't ignore it."
I will usually suggest Autofocus modes a little depending on what they want to capture.
Some of my photo friends have skewered me for giving this advice. However, I think a new photographer is more likely to stick with it and become interested in the more creative side if they capture reasonably well exposed images right out of the box and really pay critical attention to the composition and balance of the photo.
Your thoughts?
Jeff
The question that gets posed to me, both on my Facebook Group and while I'm out at local parks and hiking areas is "what settings do you use?" [edited to add] This isn't about a specific image but more a general "how to" type question that I get asked fairly frequently. [ end edit]
Rather than giving them the standard answer of "xYZ" I will ask them about their experience level, how long they have had the equipment, what are they after. On Facebook or Instagram, I do this via private message as I wouldn't want to embarrass someone.
Usually, the person asking is a beginner or a person fairly recently into photography or getting back into it after a long hiatus.
My standard answer and advice usually is something like this: "photography is a lot more than the gear or settings. First and foremost, you need to get comfortable thinking in terms of composition, balance and basics like making sure the horizon line is level unless the skewed look is the effect being sought. The best way I know of to accomplish this is to set the camera on "P" or "Auto" and go out to capture images. After a while, you will become comfortable with the images you capture and you will start looking at a scene in terms of composition not just "taking a photo." Once this becomes second nature, then start messing with camera settings. I'd suggest "Aperture Priority" first and then going to manual. Manual gives more creative control over the nuance of lighting/exposure, depth of field, motion etc.; however, many outstanding images have been captured over the years in "P" mode so don't ignore it."
I will usually suggest Autofocus modes a little depending on what they want to capture.
Some of my photo friends have skewered me for giving this advice. However, I think a new photographer is more likely to stick with it and become interested in the more creative side if they capture reasonably well exposed images right out of the box and really pay critical attention to the composition and balance of the photo.
Your thoughts?
Jeff
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In the Stone Ages, it was "Whatcha Shootin?" "Tri-X at 400." Or, if they were flush enough to own a light meter, and were telling the truth...
"f/8 at a 200th." The rest of us used the little printed slips of paper with exposure suggestions that were in every film box!
