It's hard to make a photograph without a camera.
Cameras have been around for a long time.
While their design may have changed over the years, what they do hasn't.
Since a camera's basic design is intuitive, and we can work it in an automatic exposure mode, we can get around 70% of the
benefit almost immediately after we take it outta the box with minimal instruction.
Photographers who depend on a camera to make a living and work in manual exposure mode are more than likely at an efficiency of over 95%.
When considering the evolution of cameras, it's only relatively recently that we've had digital cameras and automatic exposure modes.
Furthermore, the design and functionality of these cameras are very different from those of earlier versions.
They generally deliver a fraction of their creative potential when used casually in automatic exposure modes.
But that's what happens when the manufacturers respond to a market full of camera buyers who want to
take pictures but don't want to learn photography.
As a result, we prefer cameras and exposure modes that give us quick results, not the ones that are worth learning.
We've got simple cameras like the ones on our phones and point-and-shoots, which require minimal learning to make a photograph.
However, if we've got a complex camera like a DSLR or mirrorless, we've got options; we've got automatic exposure modes (we need minimal learning to make a picture.) and manual exposure mode (we need a commitment of time and effort to learn to use the camera this way.)
When using a complex camera in automatic exposure mode, we never realize the endless amount of creativity available to us in manual exposure mode and overlook the truth of working in manual exposure mode: there's a reason it's complicated.
Camera manufacturers optimize automatic exposure mode for informal and casual picture taking.
As a result, the more
sophisticated, nuanced (and powerfully creative) manual exposure mode is frequently harder to convince photographers to use.
Manual exposure mode doesn't have many photographers using it because, compared to automatic exposure modes, it
takes a relatively long time to get good enough at it, appreciate it, and enjoy it.
On the other hand, casual first-time users working in automatic exposure mode get immediate rewards.
For photography as a casual hobby, that'll work, but when we wanna have more creative control and spend our time struggling to operate our camera effectively, intentionally, and thoughtfully to make the pictures we want, now we've got a problem.
If we don't learn to work our cameras in manual exposure mode, we end up spending our time using our cameras incorrectly and creating disappointment and frustration.
We blame the camera instead of learning to use it.
If we want as much creative control
as possible, we shouldn't let the camera take pictures for us.
Instead, we need to take whatever time it takes to learn how to work our camera in manual exposure mode so we can use it to make the pictures we want.
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The Photography Basics (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.
