How do you decide when to use manual or automatic exposure modes?

1 What is exposure?

Exposure is the amount of light that reaches your camera's sensor when you take a photo. It depends on three factors: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These are known as the exposure triangle, and they affect not only the brightness of your image, but also its depth of field, motion blur, and noise. To get a well-exposed photo, you need to balance these three settings according to the lighting conditions and the creative effect you want to achieve.

3 What are the benefits of automatic exposure modes?

Automatic exposure modes are convenient and easy to use, especially for beginners or when you need to shoot quickly. They can save you time and hassle, and help you avoid missing a shot. They can also produce good results in most situations, as long as the lighting is consistent and even. Automatic exposure modes are also helpful for learning how the exposure triangle works, as you can see how the camera changes the settings in different scenarios.

4 What are the drawbacks of automatic exposure modes?

Automatic exposure modes can sometimes fail to give you the desired exposure, due to the camera's metering system being fooled by tricky lighting conditions, such as backlighting or high contrast. The exposure compensation dial is limited to +/- 3 stops, so if you need more control, you might have to switch to manual mode. Additionally, the automatic modes may not match your vision or style, and can limit your creative choices. For example, if you want to create a dramatic or artistic effect with a very bright or dark image, the camera might not let you do that.

5 What is manual exposure mode?

Manual exposure mode (M) is the one that gives you full control over the exposure settings. You have to choose the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO yourself, and adjust them until you get the desired exposure. You can use the camera's metering system as a guide, but you don't have to follow it. You can also use a handheld light meter, a histogram, or your own eyes to judge the exposure.

6 What are the benefits of manual exposure mode?

Manual exposure mode is the best option for achieving precise and consistent exposure, particularly in difficult or changing lighting conditions. This mode allows you to override your camera's metering system and expose for your subject, instead of the background or the average. You can also set the exposure once and keep it the same for a series of shots, so that you don't have to worry about the camera changing it automatically. Moreover, manual exposure mode gives you more creative freedom, as you can choose how bright or dark you want your image to be. You can also experiment with different combinations of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to see how they affect your image.

7 What are the drawbacks of manual exposure mode?

Manual exposure mode can be challenging and time-consuming, with potential drawbacks such as needing to be familiar with the exposure triangle, having to check and adjust exposure frequently, and needing to be careful with ISO settings. Without the right knowledge, you could end up with a poorly exposed or blurry image. Additionally, you may have to compromise between exposure and image quality if you choose a higher ISO setting, as this can introduce more noise or grain.