Why you DON'T want to SHOOT in APERTURE PRIORITY | Wild Camping | Your images critiqued.

In this commercial-free show, we explain why shooting in Aperture Priority will prevent you from becoming a better photographer, we put some of your travel photos on our Surgery examination table, and we go wild camping to a remote location in search of a dramatic landscape shot.

LINKS:

(Get 20% off with our discount code: PHONTPS21 )

MORE ABOUT US:

[johnchambers]

Thank you team for another great show. The segment on using manual mode was both interesting and helpful, real food for thought. Marcus has opened my mind as to what is possible with shooting in manual mode after only ever shooting aperature priority. Also enjoyed Nick's adventure and his thought process for getting his shot. This really is a top end photography training channel. Stuck on the other side of the world with covid lockdown rules a workshop on the Isle of Sky with these guys is a dream.

[buchsg]

Camera modes are tools and just like other tools they must be used in the right situation…

[hauke]

While using manual mode is surely helpful to learn the controls and what they do, I find your arguments come a little too short, since ISO needs also to be controlled. For my taste, it is far better to concentrate on the histrogram and the actual exposure. After some decades of experience--long enough with manual-only cameras--I often use all on auto, but of course have an eye on what the camera chooses, so I can always intercept. Mostly I only need a little tweaking on my exposure compensation and the aperture or speed. This is not always faster than using manual mode, but with the auto settings, I am prepared for the unexpected 🤩 However, I like you show, please go on like that!

[History-beneath-your-feet]

Guys, this is a fantastic show. At nearly 60 yrs of age going on 21 I still feel the need to get out there and find that magical shot/image. Keep doing what you do best, it works. Ed

[adrianglamorgan]

Almost midnight in the west of Australia, but a joy to join others catching the first showing of the program. Many thanks again for what you kindly offer!

[johnsmalldridge]

I think all the modes are useful depending on situation and subject. Learning to use all the modes fully is really what you should be promoting.

[tonykeltsflorida]

Manual mode is good when you have the time. AV (aperture priority) is good if you need to get the shot quick. Even TV if you are in need of getting a shot of something in motion. That is why we have different modes. Knowing which mode to use in a situation is how you really master your camera.

[littletodger]

Aperture Priority is/was a standard way for cinematographers and DOPs to manage the 'look' of a film in camera - along with colour temperature control with filters and lighting. We used to use 'film' and it had a set ASA / ISO. So the old cinematographer's dictum was employed so you didn't even need a light meter (but you used one anyway). "At f16 on a sunny day, the shutter speed equals the ASA." After you used that rubric for a few shoots you could do the whole lighting and aperture thing in your head - look at the light off objects and shadows around them and make almost faultless filming decisions. It very quickly becomes an instinct for life. I shot most of my stuff at f8 using colour Negative Eastman and some Ilford stock. The shutter speed was fixed. The ASA was fixed. Lighting was then bent to the will of the Aperture. I'm talking several hundred commercials, tens of docos, and an award winning feature. You can get shipwrecked without a meter and make perfectly exposed pictures every time. All you need is the rubric - "At f16 on a sunny day, the shutter speed equals the ASA."

[hyttennis]

Love this channel. Keep up the good work!

[jayhorton]

just found this channel couple of months ago I am all caught up. As a returning film shooter from 40 + years ago I love their info on digital cameras. Found my way off AUTO to AP and some manual. I find my results seem to be better with AP . I notice that they shoot mostly manual. so im hoping to learn some new things to make my photos better. My gut feeling is that letting the camera compensate for my 72 year old eyes may not be a bad thing Cant wait to see the article.

[ison]

photography is fun, always remember the fun.

[TheMpsmith]

Great info Marcus on the use of manual vs. AP. I have never been truly happy with AP and just as you said have sometimes forgotten I pushed the compensation and messed up some other shots. As always you guys rock.

[hawkwut]

One of the best channels on YouTube, I really wish you guys all the best.

[tonymurphy]

Have to say that Photography Online has to be the very best photographic chanel

[garyrowe]

It's always good to see alternate ways of doing things. I always start out with my Canon camera in 'P' mode, so I never miss any sudden opportunities - I can quickly alter the camera-chosen settings with just a flick of the wheel by the shutter, if there is time for another shot ;). Then, once I know what I want to do, I look to see if the ambiant light is constant, or fluctuating. If it's constant, manual is the easiest; if it's changing then I often choose Aperture/Shutter priority (dependent on the effect I want - depth of field or movement in my subject) ... There is no perfect way that will always work, so find out what works for you, and always be sure you have an actual reason for doing it the way you do; that way you can compare other people's ways with yours and see if there's a way to imporove on your process.

[overweeks]

OK, I owe Marcus a big "Thank you!"

I was a committed Aperture Priority user until I tried his thought process for using Manual mode from this show. I have to say, I'm getting a lot closer to the colors and the exposure I want right out of the camera, now! I'm feeling more confident and more ready to give medium format a go, too!

Thanks, Marcus! And thank you to the entire team--another great show, as always!

[sanketnawle]

These guys never disappoint! :) Hard to believe this content is available for free

[gregfaris]

From 2:45 to 3:05, the photographer has determined he wants to stop down three stops, for better depth of field. Starting at f/4, he intuitively understands this will bring him to f/11, as the progression 4, 5.6, 8, 11 is a progression he knows like the back of his hand. For most photographers coming up from the film era, this will be true, however many photographers just starting out in digital will find this number sequence obscure, and indeed when they consult the image data from any of their pictures they are likely to find aperture values that do not adhere to this well-known series; f/7.1, f/10.3 etc etc. In order for beginning photographers to evolve to where they can use Manual mode as effortlessly as the professional demonstrating here, they must AT THE VERY LEAST memorize this progression: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32. By memorizing this, you will know what f/stop increase will correspond to a shutter speed doubling or halving. Even better than memorizing though would be to study this number sequence to UNDERSTAND it. You can see that the number doubles every two stops, but why every TWO? Why not every one? Wouldn't twice the aperture correspond to half the shutter speed? In truth, twice the aperture DOES equal half the shutter speed, but only if you are considering the AREA of the aperture. F-stop numbers are a ratio of the focal length of the lens to the DIAMETER of the aperture - not the area. To correct, the amount of change needed to the diameter in order to doulbe or halve the area of the iris, is the root of two (about 1.4) - which of course means you do it twice to get a multiplacation or division by 2. This is the arithmetic explanation - now just sticking to this known sequence; 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8.11, 16, 22, 32 will allow you to navigate with ease between doubling and halving shutter speeds, and to make these adjustments confidently.
When the camera is in automatic, or in one of the semi-automatic modes, it does not feel constrained by these standard values, which is why you will see f/7.1 or 10.3, just as you may se shutter speeds of 1/363rd of a second, or 1/829th, instead of standard 1/250, 1/500th, 1/1000th. Learning, memorizing and sticking to the standard values for both aperture and shutter speed will allow you to operate effortlessly in Manual mode, and to get the greatest control over your art.

[franciswright]

By far the very best photography show on YouTube. I learn something new every time. Very informative, entertaining and set in the beautiful Isle of sky. Cant wait for next episode.

[cdavey]

There is that 'better' word again. What is 'better' for you, might not be for someone else.. Everything has pros and cons. While I agree that Manual mode is preferable in some situations, and it's a useful thing for people to learn, most of the time I still prefer Aperture priority mode. If you learn all the modes, then you can use them how you want, when you want. To each their own, I also prefer a car with an automatic transmission... 🤷🏼‍♂️ 🙂