How to Shoot Manual on your DSLR for Beginners

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! What mode do you use when you're out shooting? Have you ever tried using Manual? Tell me your experiences!

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FIND US ON //

Digital Film Actions

Julia Trotti

Snapchat // jtrotti

I Make Films

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VLOG CAMERA SETUP //

Sony RX100iv
Sony a7s + Sigma 24mm f1.4

PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA SETUP //

Canon 5dmkiii
Sigma 24mm f1.4
Canon 35mm f1.4
Canon 50mm f1.2
Canon 85mm f1.2
Canon 135mm f2

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Thank you so much for watching! xx

[katytorain]

I have always struggled understanding ISO/Ap/shutter speed until I watched this video THANK YOU

[weidikoh]

you're like a breath of fresh air in learning photography on youtube. nothing dramatic just the facts and great explanation. i can listen to you for hours!

[extremiztic]

My god, I'm just a hobby photographer, just starting out with my little Alpha, and I've to say this is the simplest of explanations w.r.t to manual control I've ever heard. Thank you so much for this. I was always really scared of Manual controls, but this made me sit down and think. You are awesome Julia, Hope to a learn a lot more from you in the future too.

[chrismason]

The best explanation I’ve seen and really helped me. We have a cannon DSLR but hardly used it because it’s to heavy to carry about on family days out and we didn’t know how to use it.
So recently we purchased a little cannon power shot sx720 so we always have a light weight camera with us. Well, putting this little camera into manual mode has transformed the pictures. Yesterday we photographed a fountain on a lake that was 20M away and we was able to focus on the fountain, get a blur in the background but see individual drops in crystal clarity in the spray.
I’m going to watch the rest of your videos as I’ve 2 daughters and my wife that are always after nice pictures of themselves. Maybe will get the DSLR out of the cupboard and start using it again.

[GadgetsGearCoffee]

I've started getting better at camera settings. This is basically what I've figured out on my own so it's great seeing that I understood this properly! :)
1) aperture (bokeh, light)
2) low iso if possible
3) adjust shutter speed (movement + light)

Altho I find aperture and shutter speed requires some fine tuning

[romichaku]

Of all the videos I saw about manual shooting, yours was probably the simplest way of going about it.Thanks.

[Shafetti]

Dear, Gawd... Where have you been all of my life?! I've only been into photography for a few years, but I've spent every single one of those years struggling with this issue, but you've just made it SO EASY. I love you, and thank you 🤭❤️😎👍

[johannmadrid]

You seriously have the most calming voice like wth that’s crazy

[margarethagins]

Thank you for this life changing manual tutorial you changed my way of seeing the photos in the way I've always wanted them and never thought I could because I didn't have the most expensive lens hut you're shooting with a lens I have and my not having patience learning the settings have held me back! You also explain the difference in setting up for different shots for each subject. Thank you again as I breath a sigh of relief 😌

[laoschild]

Man, ive watch so many different YouTube videos about iso shutter and aperture but you make it sound more easier then what it is compared to how others explain. Kept it simple and easy. Thank you! I will now try Manuel more often.

[dividsky]

Nicely done convering the basics !
If i can add something about the shutter speed is that : If your shotting handheld, never go below the focal length to help you eliminate the handheld blur motion. Per example for a 50mm, dont go below 1/60sec (1/30 - 1/15 - 1/8 - 1/2 per example). That valid for all focal length !
Just sub... i love your style.

[dangeloc.]

OMG I have a dslr for about 2 months and I was using it with guide mode all this time. After your video I tried to use it with manual and I have to say that I finally learned how to use it!!!! Definatly subbed !!!

[sahu]

I couldn't muster courage to shoot manual so far. Last 2-yrs its all Auto shoots. Gone through many tutorial videos but as the sermons about marriage of arts & science are deep, i couldn't apply. Today i got encouragement to shoot manual after this tutorial video. It basically teaches to...kind of managing shutter speeds while almost keeping ISO & Aperture in a fix value. The main motto of the teacher is for the new camera owners to become creative like an artist or then they can learns skills mastering by analyzing their mistakes later on. Its like a new car driver to temporarily forget traffic lights and just manage foot peddles to get the car moving or safely stopping without killing a fellow road user. And finally a beautiful speaker is always heard/ remembered. Sorry for the flattering line, if it sounds offensive. I shall try shooting manual.

[michaelf]

I enjoyed this beginners manual tutorial. Thanks Julia. I have watched several other videos and enjoyed them all..

[Katherine-zwtx]

I am actually crying...this helped me SO MUCH! I just stumbled on this video and another of yours. I have been trying to understand how to start using manual for so long and nobody would help me. The aperture triangle means nothing when you don't know what settings are appropriate for a given situation to start with. Trying to copy the auto settings that were always all over the place was INSANE and now I know why. Not only are they so inaccurate, trying to learn from them leaves me tearing my hair out. Now I feel so much more confident to start, and to put my theory into practice. Thank you so much! Ditto the video on focusing/one shot at the beach- great!

[kevintran]

Love manual focus, manual settings as we did with film camera years ago. Thanks so much for the video!

[nokturnalivory]

Your explanation is spot on and incredibly helpful. Thank YOU for making Manual mode no longer a struggle! Can’t wait to try this out now.

[jayk]

Notes:
Go to manual setting (M mode on spiny thing)
Apperture (f/)1.2-2.0 for nice blurry background
ISO: 100 (ALL THE TIME, no excuses)
Shutter: check evaluation meter, try to keep at the middle (0) shutter 200? Perhaps?
1/200 is a good minimum of shutter speed to avoid blurry pictures

[eddiek]

A very good video about this. I always get a bit confused with these three settings. You have explained these settings very well and in simple understood terms..

[erincoats]

You really simplified things in this explanation, making it so much easier for me to learn and remember the key points of shooting in manual. Thank you!