Which Exposure Mode Do You Use and Why?

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for contributing to the thread!

 

[Bill Ferris]

Jeez Bill, couldn't you just condense this into like 3 sentences, LoL?

I know. I should've included a TL;DR summary

I say that because I could only get through about a third of it as I saw WAY too many numbers down there but I think I got far enough the gist of it, at least enough to participate!

I don't have a favorite setting as every shooting situation is different and needs a different solution. I use Auto ISO, fixed ISO, Manual, Tv, Av, Bulb but NEVER Auto. I also never use Manual focus because nobody can out focus a camera if it's set up correctly. I also never use a custom white balance unless it's in a weird light situation like Florescent light because I can batch process that in PP. Metering mode again depends on situation. My favorite is Spot metering when I was using my Canon 1Dx's but unfortunately the Spot meter mode in the R5 is kinda useless so I never use it with the R5, again I use what seems best for the situation.

But since about half of what I do is studio I guess my most used settings are Manual mode, ISO 100, f8, SS 160 and BE THERE!!!

John

Thanks for sharing how you shoot, John.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing your shooting style, Rich, and also for the photos illustrating the results. Great stuff!

 

[Bill Ferris]

I also manually select white balance.

Why don't you just shoot Raw and worry about WB in Post? The WB of a scene can change quite a lot from one shot to another, and very difficult to adjust properly on an uncalibrated camera display.

As longggg... as my post was, it's not surprising you - probably most folks - didn't get this far, but the reason I manually select WB is it's something that keeps me engaged in the shoot. There's a lot of down time in the photograhy I do and taking the full manual approach (including WB selection) helps keep me actively paying attention to the scene.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing your approach!

 

[Bill Ferris]

Hmm, maybe I should make this a weekly post

 

[Supisiche]

Manual and A. In tricky situations I take control.

 

[Bill Ferris]

If you're so inclined, I'd encourage you to share a couple of examples illustrating when you use different modes. I think there are photographers who'd be interested in that thought process.

--
Bill Ferris Photography
Flagstaff, AZ
http://www.billferris.photoshelter.com

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thank you, Bert. I appreciate you sharing your workflow.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing the breakdown, Albert.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing that, Tex.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing your thought process and workflow for getting a great out-of-camera image, Bob.

--
Bill Ferris Photography
Flagstaff, AZ
http://www.billferris.photoshelter.com

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for sharing your workflow and approach.

I understand your point is not to argue about what is the best mode. I appreciate that. I can't help thinking that shooting manual implicitly makes one feel they belong to the aristocracy of "true" photographers.

It helps keep me engaged and awake during long stretches in the photo blind...seriously. The more I give myself to do, the less likely I'll miss a photo op because I'm asleep or scrolling posts on DPR

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thank you for sharing your thought process. And I really like the photo you included...great composition and a perfect moment.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for contributing to the thread and sharing your thought process in the field.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks for your contribution, Tony. Much appreciated.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Thanks to all who've contributed and shared their respective workflows. If anyone is inspired to tack on to their original comment to add some context or detail about a photo that illustrates the process they use, please do so.

I'm looking forward to seeing more responses by folks sharing the mode(s) they use and how that fits into their workflow.

 

[John KM/linhof]

This subject keeps coming up. Last time I replied to such a thread I said as a long time hobbyist I use the Professional Mode "P". This mostly works well unless my incident light meter determines otherwise (Sekonic L-508). Then I switch to manual control.

 

[iljitsch]

Please don't thank every individual contribution. Life is too short for that stuff.