If you want to take your photography from a hobby to a profession, you have to master manual mode. Manual mode will help you to fully understand the technical capabilities of your camera and will allow you to have full control over your creativity. When you first pick up your camera, I suggest only shooting in manual mode. If you learn in manual mode you will learn your camera better and using manual mode will become second nature. It takes practice but it will eventually fully transform your photography world.
Understanding the Basics of Manual Mode
Manual mode is when you control camera settings. You are in charge of your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to create the perfectly or artistically exposed shot. Since you are in full control you have the ability to manipulate the photo however you want.
The key components of manual mode, as stated above, are the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The most important component of photography is the aperture which controls light and depth of field. Adjusting the aperture can create a shallow depth of field which would make your subject in focus but the background would be blurry. The shutter speed adjusts light, as well as, how fast or how slow your camera takes your photo. The slower the shutter speed the more light that is created, however, the slower shutter speed can cause a motion blur. Unless you are using it as a creative way and are using it on a tripod, then you want to keep your shutter speed fast. Lastly, ISO helps bring more light to your photo. In low light situations ISO can be very helpful but at a higher level it causes noise. I usually always keep my ISO, if I can, at the lowest level to avoid any noise. Below is the exposure triangle, mastering this triangle will be the key to manual mode and exposing your pictures. If you are just beginning as a photographer or haven’t even bought your camera yet, please review my blog post on the First Steps to Becoming a Professional Photographer.
Getting Started with Manual Mode
The first step to working in manual mode is making sure your camera settings are in manual mode. You may have to read through your camera’s manual to figure out exactly how to do this. You will also need to learn where your controls are to be able to change the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The reason I love my Fujifilm, especially for a beginner camera, is because the ISO and shutter speed controls are right on the top of the camera. This makes it super easy to locate and adjust in any way that is needed. If you are looking to purchase a camera, I would highly suggest a Fujifilm which can be purchased and reviewed here. Every camera has a light meter and histogram to show you the exposure of the photo. I used the light meter for every shot when I first started to make sure my photo was perfectly exposed. Now, I don’t need it as much because I can gauge the exposure without it or like the creativeness of the photo not being perfectly exposed.
Creativity and Artistry in Manual Mode
The main reason professional artists use manual mode for their photography is to fully enhance their creative abilities. You can really explore various metering techniques for all different types of creative effects. When you have a large f-stop (your aperture setting) you will have a shallow depth of field. Controlling the depth of field helps isolate the subject you are focusing on. Many photographers use a shallower depth of field in portrait photography so the focus is on the person and not the background. Although most landscape images you will want a small f-stop, you can also get creative and use a large f-stop (as seen in the picture below). Ultimately reassuring the beauty of manual mode.
Another creative aspect is what we call long exposures. This is great for capturing motion blur and light trails, often used to showcase flowing water or the lights from a car. Or you can use it to achieve international blur creating dream-like photography. You can really have some creative fun with this aspect, it is one of my favorite techniques to explore. However, when using a slow shutter speed you have to use a tripod to support your camera.
Shallow Depth of Field Long Exposure
Overcoming Challenges in Manual Mode
Ultimately, working in manual mode comes with challenges. The main challenge you will find when you are first starting out is making sure you are changing your settings quickly and efficiently. Basically, you are going to be very slow when you first start. It is going to take you a minute or two to figure out how to adjust your settings. This is normal. If you are on a photoshoot that is time sensitive, skip manual mode until you feel fully comfortable. There can also be many light changes during your photoshoot so it is important to continuously adjust your settings to expose for the new lighting.
Advancing Your Skills in Manual Mode
After learning manual mode you can really start to push the limits with shooting in extreme lighting conditions. Once you master manual mode you can begin learning different focus moods like single mode or continuous mode. You can also learn how to use off camera lighting and flash to expose an image. Having the basics of manual mode down is the beginning to learning the technical aspect of your camera and creative aspects of photography.
When you work in manual mode you will truly be able to create your own personal style. I have learned that I love creating images with a shallow depth of field. Besides interior photos, I truly incorporate a large f-stop in a lot of my images. We as photographers are always learning so definitely seek help and feedback because it can only make us better!
A photographer’s journey in mastering manual mode may be a long and challenging process but it is very important. It is your first step from being a hobbyist to a professional. No matter if this is your first year shooting or your 15th, you have to embrace manual mode and always continue the learning process. Mark my words, you will become a better photography because of it.
