Previous

Exposure - Manual Mode

Many top portrait photographers prefer manual mode. Here are the steps:

1.    Take an exposure reading (thru camera or separate exposure meter)

2.    Take account of any adjustments

3.    Set aperture manually eg one stop down from maximum aperture

4.    Set shutter speed manually 

I tend to use the Aperture Priority  about 95% of the time. 

I switch to manual when: 

1.    Shooting on transparency film (increased accuracy)

2.    There are tricky lighting situations (eg strong backlighting)

3.    Using studio flash

4.    Using medium format (6x7)