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I was thinking about the tension in creating pictures; we all have to work with it, but how effectively do we work with it?

Simply put, we see something and want to make a picture of it in a specific way.

We can call this "creative tension".

But, of course, it's not that simple.

A more realistic version follows.

The light we see that gets our attention creates the tension (something in what we're seeing might make an interesting photograph, and we want to make the photograph that we imagine), and the way to relieve the tension is to make THAT picture.

Often, the tension remains as frustration if we work in an automatic exposure mode because the camera creates a picture based on algorithms, not on what we want the picture to be.

In other words, the camera automatically does whatever it does based on the light evaluated by the camera and gives us a picture created by the camera that has nothing to do with the picture we imagined.

The picture is decent, but since it lacks the input of a human mind that's intentionally composing an image to communicate facts, feelings, opinions, etc., the picture lacks vitality.

Our pictures are at their best when we operate our camera in a way that intentionally uses elements of composition that include, but aren't limited to, focusing and controlling tonality, depth of field, blur, and noise with aperture shutter speed and ISO to visually communicate facts, opinions, feelings, etc.

It's worth working in manual exposure mode to do this.  

When we work in manual exposure mode, we have complete creative control in terms of camera operation to communicate our intended message.

If we wanna make the picture WE want, we shouldn't let the camera make the picture for us.  

Working in manual exposure is where the real creativity happens.

Our pictures succeed when we visually communicate how we think about what we see instead of merely showing us what we see.

It doesn't make sense to let our cameras do that automatically because the camera doesn't think, know, or feel.

It just creates pictures robotically.

Yes, we can start with this great idea for a picture, but we have to communicate that idea through the camera.

We can now see how the tension for creators arises; how do we best use the complete creative control we get by working in manual exposure mode?  

Our ability to do that ties into our understanding of how camera operation, composition, and light relate.

But the first thing we need to do is learn to operate our camera intentionally and confidently, especially in manual exposure mode.
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The Introduction To Photography class starts soon. 
  
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

Currently scheduled classes are below.

Smaller classes mean better learning, so class sizes are limited to 5 participants plus me.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.