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We can think of creative work in terms of the time and effort needed to do it the first time and then do it again.

The question is, where do we wanna spend our time and effort?

The first time we make a picture in manual exposure mode, it seems like it takes a long time.

And compared to working in automatic exposure mode, assuming we're ok with whatever picture we get in that mode, it does.

However, if we're not ok with the picture we get in automatic exposure mode, we probably wind up making a lotta pictures and then going through them all and picking the one we're the most ok with.

That takes time, too.

The question then becomes, do we want to use our time working from a place of misunderstanding (automatic exposure mode) or a place of understanding (manual exposure mode)?

Working from a place of misunderstanding is like a crap shoot; we roll the dice and see what we get.

It usually takes multiple rolls of the dice (exposures) until we get a photograph we consider a winner.

We spend our time makin' a lotta pictures and then wading through them to find one we're ok with.

On the other hand,  when we work from a place of understanding (manual exposure mode), we understand camera operation, composition, and light and make the best pictures possible on the first exposure.

In this case, we spend our time metering, controlling tonality, focusing, framing and content, controlling depth of field, blur, noise, and every aspect of our composition.

In other words, we use our camera intentionally and confidently to make the pictures we want.

We can spend our time wading through pictures the camera made for us, without understanding how the camera made them until we find one we're ok with (automatic exposure mode), or we can spend our time working in a place of understanding; we do that by metering, picking our aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, focusing modes and areas, white balance settings, etc. (manual exposure mode).

Working from a place of understanding is always the better way to go.

If we're persistent and consistent with our studies and practice while working in manual exposure mode, the time it takes us to make a picture becomes less and less because the process begins to become second nature.  

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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.