Photography Friday: Shooting in Manual Mode

July 31st, 2009 by ariana

Dear blog readers. I love you. I must really really love you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t DREAM of posting this video tutorial in which I thoroughly embarrass myself and have a totally blond moment (please don’t take offense if you are blond, clearly I’m just jealous!)

So hopefully you will take the good with the bad because I think this is a pretty straightforward explanation of how to use your DSLR’s built in light meter to shoot in manual mode. I think.

But then again, I do things like try to take pictures with my lens cap on, so you never really know now do you?

Without further ado, said video:

Damn, I should have gotten a manicure before shooting this, there’s some pretty extended footage of my fingers doing nothing.. exciting stuff people, exciting stuff.

Have a great weekend!

Filed under: photography, videos by ariana
22 Comments »

Thanks for the Inspiration
I had no idea when I casually decided yesterday to make the lightscoop giveaway entry question about...

First Snow Storm
What I love about this age is that everything is like a first - even if technically our toddlers were...

Using Your Camera’s Histogram Display
Here's a little video I put together showing you how to use your DSLR's display option to toggle to the...

Photography Basics: RAW vs. Jpg
I was pleasantly surprised at how many of you lucky ladies said you got a new DSLR under the tree for...

Grab this Widget

22 Responses to “Photography Friday: Shooting in Manual Mode”

Chrissy, on July 31st, 2009 at 1:55 pm Said:

I was driving to work this morning thinking I was going to email you to ask 1. What resources (books, online, etc) did you first use to learn to shoot manually and 2. I am going to Disney with my 2 nephews (ages 20 and 5 months) what lens would you suggest using as my primary lens (I have just ordered a “nifty fifty” have the kit lens and a lower end 75-300mm f/4-5.6)?

I’m still hoping you can help me answer those questions but I also wanted to say THANK YOU so much, this short video has just helped me tremendously! I can not wait to go home and play with that new info! Thank you again and hopefully you can answer the other questions.
ariana, on July 31st, 2009 at 2:04 pm Said:

Hi Chrissy, glad it was helpful!

I honestly don’t remember when I first learned to shoot a camera in manual mode because it was back before digital photography (20 years ago or so!)
But I’d bet a google search or youtube search would yield many helpful articles and videos.

As for the primary lens question, that’s so tricky.. will you be shooting outdoors in the park? If so, maybe the kit lens because of the wider angle. But if you want to do any indoor shots your kit will be pretty useless. I would bring both with you the first day and see which feels right. Its a tough call because your 50 is better glass, but a zoom is really handy in these types of situations. I don’t think I really helped much, sorry!
Rachel, on July 31st, 2009 at 2:47 pm Said:

You are too funny! That lens cap was great. I learned a lot from this video so I’m glad you decided to post it, thanks!
Chrissy, on July 31st, 2009 at 2:48 pm Said:

LOL, you did! I plan on bringing all of them and playing with it really. I’ll let you know how they turn out, thanks again.
kari, on July 31st, 2009 at 6:40 pm Said:

did you make that video just for me???
LOL…
loved it! I am going to go play now!

have a wonderful weekend!
k.
ps – i do the lens cap thing all the time!
HamiHarri, on July 31st, 2009 at 10:05 pm Said:

Great video – you are so cute and KNOWLEDGABLE! Thank you and happy weekend!
Kimberly, on August 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 am Said:

Really nice tutorial – made it nice and clear… but I’m curious what the real difference between shooting the way you’ve demonstrated here in Manual and shooting in AV mode is… seems you’re still relying on the camera’s light meter to determine shutter speed… wouldn’t AV mode be about the same result?

BTW, I made a decision re: post-processing software. I asked the guy at my photography store what he thought… apparently Elements 7 DOES have layers, mask, curves… so I think I’m going to go that route for now… I can get it for right around $50 at Costco when they have their rebates. :) Meantime, I’m downloading 30-day trials.
DC Gal, on August 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 am Said:

Lurker here…THANK YOU so much for posting this. It was sooo useful for a beginer like me!
Kate, on August 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 pm Said:

That was so helpful! I feel like I just learned so much more about my camera!
Georgia, on August 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm Said:

If you want great exposure and not have to futz around with taking several “test” shots, pick up an 18% grey card (Kodak makes one and then there’s the awesome Photovision Calibration Target). You can move to spot metering, aim at the middle grey section of the card and meter off that. You’ll get perfect exposure without the added risk of blowing out highlights. It makes Manual mode SO much easier.

I meter for exposure on middle, 18% grey, and then leave it alone from there. I never adjust again until I move to another area with different lighting or need to adjust for sunset.
Katie, on August 17th, 2009 at 1:59 am Said:

Thank you so much for posting this. I’ve just kindof been scrolling around with my camera until something looks good. I’m serious. I thought it would come to me after a while but it really hasn’t so I’m learning I need to hunker down and watch some tutorials or read the manual. This was delightful. Thanks
Linda, on October 10th, 2009 at 2:23 am Said:

Thank you for this video. Ive watched many online videos, but they go into to much detail that I either loose interest or have no idea what there talking about. You think you were ditzy, but in fact your just like everyone else, which is why we relate & are able to learn. Thank you!
ariana, on October 10th, 2009 at 3:13 am Said:

Aw, thanks! Makes me feel kinda guilty that I haven’t done one in so long!
Tessa, on November 7th, 2009 at 9:53 am Said:

Very helpful video. Thanks for posting.
Jill, on December 20th, 2009 at 3:22 pm Said:

I finally had a chance to watch this without a baby to try to grab both the computer and camera. This was so helpful (especially since I have the same camera, ha ha)! Thank you so much for the great tutorial! I have been so scared to use the manual settings (even though I used to shoot with a 35mm SLR using manual settings), but no more!
First Snow Storm | Becoming Mom, on December 21st, 2009 at 4:17 pm Said:

[...] is TONS of light in the scene so it will adjust the SS or aperture accordingly. This is where shooting in manual mode comes in really handy. But even more than that, being able to read your histogram and adjust if you [...]
Lindsay, on January 9th, 2010 at 3:33 am Said:

Thanks! This gave me some confidence to actually try out manual mode. Here goes nothing!
Jessica, on January 14th, 2010 at 5:58 pm Said:

You don’t know how much this helped me. You probably felt like it was a silly video. But I just took my first picture in manual mode and it turned out PERFECTLY. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ariana, on January 14th, 2010 at 6:28 pm Said:

That’s great Jessica!! Maybe a little comic relief is a good thing ;)
Photography Basics : Let’s Talk Focus | Becoming Mom, on January 14th, 2010 at 6:31 pm Said:

[...] of what I just said in the previous few paragraphs assumes that you are shooting in manual mode. Why? Because if you are shooting in P, AV or TV modes you will not have the kind of control you [...]
Photography Basics: RAW vs. Jpg | Becoming Mom – Mommy Blog and Photography, on February 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm Said:

[...] under or overexpose an image no file format in the world is going to save you, but by now you know how to shoot in manual mode and how to read your camera’s histogram so you know you are exposing properly. Right? [...]
stephanie, on February 26th, 2010 at 5:02 pm Said:

Thanks for the great tutorial! I’d love to hear how this would work with an ettl speedlite! =) That is where I am now. Does the meter automatically reflect the speed lite settings when on?