July 9, 2013

ON WHICH I ADMIT...

blueberries in bowl
cereal
...that up until last week, I hadn't shot in complete manual mode. Not once. Not ever.

I know, I know. That sounds terrible, but I just haven't. I'm honestly not sure why, because I understand what aperture is. I understand what shutter speed is. And I understand how to change these settings on my camera and how to use the light meter. Of course, I'm no an expert and still have much to learn, but I lived in the fear that I would mess something up (or break my camera) if I shot in manual mode. I mean that's what the experts use. Not me!

So I stayed in my comfort zone and shot in Av priority (I only made the leap to Av priority a few months ago--before that I shot in Tv mode and before that, those preset settings that cameras come with). I didn't dare move the knob on my camera up a notch.
smoothie
waterdroplets
But it was a conversation with this dear friend that really made me question why I was scared of taking the next step and turning the dial one spot to Manual.

So I started doing more research. I checked out (almost) all the books on digital photography from my library, pinned photography tutorials and cheat sheets, and scrolled through countless photography tutorials online.

little flower
berries
And I made the switch. I grabbed my camera, headed outside to my backyard, and started shooting. I used the light meter for help and loved it.

Sure, my photos aren't perfect. The aperture in all the shots could have been adjusted and I should have switched the white balance for a few shots, but right now, I'm just working on getting used to Manual mode.

One of the things I love most about shooting in Manual is that it forces me to take an extra moment to really focus on my subject (even if they're just clusters of tiny plump blueberries!). It makes me relish in the present, give my subject extra attention, and just enjoy photography.

sudoku
blueberry
Yeah. I think it's safe to say I'm not going back anytime soon.

And like every good photographer, it also makes me want another lens. Or camera. Or something camera-related.

So for all my camera friends, what's a challenge you're taking in photography? I'm always up for a new challenge and would love to know what you're working on!

p.s. It's the tenth tomorrow! If you've never participated (or want to), join up with Ten on Ten tomorrow!

30 comments

  1. Your photography looks great! I especially love the focused look of the Sudoku puzzle! I really want a "fancy camera" even more now; hopefully by the end of the summer! Good work on taking a step forward in photography!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks girl! I really hope that you get a DSLR! They're so much fun and definitely worth all of the money that goes into them. :)

      Delete
  2. Yeah! Go you! Once I went to manual I don't know that I've ever used any other setting again. I love manual... Perhaps because I like being in control ha!

    I've been challenging myself to try new things (as in going beyond photographing people), finding new locations, and just pushing myself past my self-imposed limits. It's been fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you--I don't think I could ever not use Manual now. I just need to practice changing the settings quickly now just in case I want to take a photo of something on a whim. :)

      And I never realized how much control you get with Manual! You would think that I would realize that, but I guess I was just too scared that I would mess something up (which has happened, but fortunately my subject was inanimate so I could just keep shooting, haha).

      And I love that you're pushing yourself to find new locations. That's something I definitely need to try.

      Delete
  3. I love your pictures! I tend to shoot in shutter priority, but sometimes I use aperture priority. manual makes me really nervous! (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Teresa! Manual definitely STILL makes me nervous, but it's definitely a lot of fun at the same time. And I shot in Tv and Av for a LONG time before I made the switch (probably over a year's time). So no rush, although I definitely recommend trying it someday--it'll really push you photography-wise! :)

      Delete
  4. I just got used to manual this summer! I've had my camera for a year and half and I just tried it too. Now I'm addicted! You have so much more freedom now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm addicted, too! And I love that we started using Manual around the same time--that really pushes me to keep using it and keep practicing. :)

      And YES, it definitely gives you a lot more freedom. I'm loving that part, that's for sure!

      Delete
  5. Your photographs are lovely!!! I love manual it makes me feel in control of everything. The other modes just confused me lol.


    Emily
    eageremily.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Emily! Manual definitely puts you in control and I love that I get to make all of the decisions now. If I knew how much fun it was going to be, I would have made the switch ages ago! :)

      Delete
  6. Wow I have just had this same discovery and I totally agree. Manual is the best! Yes, it may take extra time to focus on the "subject" but it is always worth it in the end!!

    Definitely makes me want a new camera! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manual is definitely the best! It's opened up so much freedom for me (and freedom that I never knew I had, haha!). And I've actually just discovered that focusing thing with my 50mm lens, there are times when I'm editing photos and wonder how/why it focused where it did. Good thing I usually take multiple photos of my subject!

      And I'm sure you've talked about it on your blog, but what kind of camera/lenses do you use? I always love learning more about cameras and lenses. :)

      Delete
    2. I love selective focusing! Since I don't have THAT high-tech of a camera, sometimes it takes me like 10 tries before it focuses exactly what I want it on.

      Right now I have a FujiFilm Finepix S4250. I hope to upgrade to a Canon Rebel or something of the sort soon! :)

      Delete
  7. I love your pictures! I've had my DSLR for a while now and I still learn new things about it everyday. I was scared to use the manual mode too. Still am sometimes. Haha but it does allow for more creative pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I definitely learn new things about my camera + photography each time use it, too. And it's crazy how much different shooting in Manual is but I'm loving every minute of it. And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who gets scared using Manual! It's scary, but so rewarding. :)

      Delete
  8. Yay, Kiki!!!! So proud of you!! And wow, girl, you photos look AMAZING!!! I'm pretty sure that I can see an amazing difference already! Keep it up and one day, we'll get to shoot together, eh? :D

    And thanks for the shout-out!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, girl! It's funny, because at first I couldn't tell or see any difference but I do now and most importantly, I love the feel of using Manual. Even though I'm still a newbie at it, I'm starting to feel more and more like one of the pros. :)

      And you deserve the shout-out! Seriously, I love learning about photography from you!

      Delete
    2. And the best part...you can now seriously say that YOU (and only YOU!) took that photo, without the camera doing any of the choices. It's all you and raw talent from here on out. ;)

      Delete
    3. I have never thought about it that way before, Kellie! That is excellence.

      (don't mind my interruption :)

      Delete
    4. Kellie: I never thought about it that way, either! I love that, though and will definitely think of it that way, too! :) It's so funny, I didn't realize just how much my camera was doing for me when I shot in Av and Tv Priority. So it really feels good to be able to say I shoot in Manual and am in control of the camera now. :)

      Madison: I love it when my blog turns into a conversation so you're always welcome to interrupt. :)

      Delete
  9. How awesome that you've taken this next step! Your photography is always so great and it's exciting to know that you're just going to get better and better! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It's kind of funny that this step took (literally) four years but I'm glad that I finally made the switch--even if it was a slow one. :)

      Delete
  10. Girl these are amazing!!! I love the little water droplets. All you wonderful photographers amaze me!! It's a skill I can't even begin to wrap my mind around...but I admire those who have that gift so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks! Those water droplets were on my grandma's table cloth that's made from some sort of water-repelling fabric. She got a kick out of watching me take photos of water droplets that had fallen from the glass pitcher on her table, that's for sure. But they were too pretty not to take!

      And girl, photographers amaze me all the time! It's a skill I'm always trying to improve and something I admire in others, too. :)

      Delete
  11. These photo's look realy great!
    I haven't used complete manual since I stopped using my film camera. But I still get a real kick out of just looking through my old camera lens. Enjoy exploring manual mode!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Manual mode is definitely a great challenge and using it only makes me wonder why I didn't make the switch earlier!

      If you don't mind me asking, what kind of camera do you use now? Before I got my DSLR I used my aunt's old Pentax 35mm and hearing that you used to shoot with film makes me want to get that old camera out (especially since I know way more about photography nowadays!). :)

      Delete
  12. These pics are great!! I love shooting in manual! I think I started on that even before auto. I, sadly, do not have an awesome nice camera. So, I have to steal my mom's sometimes. haha :) My iPhone is my trusty sidekick. Hoping one day to have my own camera to shoot in manual all. the. time! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! Wow, that's so cool that you started in Manual before you used Auto! I was way too scared to do that when I first got my camera! I hope you get a camera someday--although borrowing from family always works in my book. :)

      Delete
  13. ok did you edit those pictures?! THE FLOWER ONE IS AMAZING seriously. are you using just your 50mm lens?!?!?
    GAH i need to learn more?! Any tips for me!??! I'm not even kidding...i took a quick course (aka 5 min) with one of my friends who is a professional and i know the very minuscule basics. I don't fully understand everything....aperture, shutter speed, etc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I edited them a little on PicMonkey but most of them I was lucky enough not to have to edit a lot (that's the plus side I've found while using Manual!).

      And um, why should I be giving YOU tips? Seriously, you're oh-my-goodness-way-too-talented. And I'm not even exaggerating one bit (not that I would!). And are you kidding me? You only took a five minute course in photography from a friend? How do you shoot all your photos? Do you shoot in Manual?

      I'm still learning a lot about aperture, but I've found that the more photo tutorials I read and the more photos I take in Manual, the more I'm learning about aperture, ISO, and shutter speed and all that good stuff. But trust me, there are still days when my mind goes blank and I have to take a few photos and change a bunch of settings before I get back into the hang of things!

      Delete

© IN ITS TIMEMaira Gall