LostMySelf wrote:
I know how to use ISO/Shutter speed/Aperture but I am not good enough to know what settings to use and when, and I don't want to stand there for 30 minutes taking pictures with different settings. So my question would be what mode is good for nature/landscape? I haven't been out shooting yet with my new NEX-F3.
Hello,
I am giving my view to your question based on the 'assumption' that you are interested in developing your photography skills. What I mean by this is - some people are more than happy for the camera to make their photo for them, and others wish to learn how they take control of the camera and the person makes the shot.
It is often best to come away from thinking of 'best modes' and look more towards every photo being a 'unique' image that requires to be assessed to allow for the best settings required for it. With a landscape it can be amazing how quickly light can change and require totally different settings.
It has been mentioned in a previous reply, but 'manual' settings usually give you a much greater flexibility to get the final result that you are hoping for, and landscapes tend to be a great subject for learning about them as they don't tend to run away
Also, cameras these days tend to offer good 'pathways' to head towards manual - e.g. aperture mode still retains 'automatic settings' in other parameters, so can be less daunting than going into full manual. Even in full manual a lot of cameras still offer some indication that settings are way out by showing an exposure meter, etc in the finder or camera body.
When composing your landscape it is useful to decide if there are any particular 'features' that you wish to bring attention to as you may want to base your focus area around that area or plane. It may be that the whole landscape is the 'subject', so that would require a different approach and settings, with maximum depth of field being a main feature.
Other things to consider are: quality of light, position of shadows, etc. For example, a noon sun is going to create a very harsh light and with some landscapes it is more pleasing to shoot in B&W due to the high contrasts of such light. For shadows, our eye tends to prefer going from light to dark, so having strong shadows at the front of the image can give unpleasing results. However, these are certainly not 'rules' but I think it helps with the thinking that each photo is unique and requires and requires an approach that allows the final image to depict what it is you wish to depict.
With ISO, again look at it in terms of what you wish the final image to look like. In many situations you would want the 'optimal' ISO for the camera (this isn't always the lowest setting). However, you may wish to create a grainy and moody landscape, so you would use a higher ISO. Again, no right or wrong, and it all depends what you wish to achieve.
The things that I would consider for a landscape shot would be -
- what is the actual subject that I wish to depict?
- how do I wish to depict that subject? (moody, bright, etc)
- where do I need to stand to get the best perspective and lighting to achieve this?
- what lens do I need to use?
- what camera settings will allow me to get the results I wish?
I am not sure if I have answered your question, but as with many photography questions, there isn't an 'easy answer' due to a continually changing environment requiring different considerations.
Regards,
Gary
