Hi Damian,
Originally Posted by DLS
I think you'll restrict your use of a camera if you consider M mode "better" or "more advanced" than Av, Tv or P mode, if that's what you were thinking. It's simply another option and tool that your camera provides. All of the modes have their use in the appropriate situation.
I find M great for photos under consistent lighting with varied subject colouring. I have been photographing people wearing dark clothing in a white walled room with black mats on the floor. When I was using Av mode when I started taking photos at this place I'd get under/over exposure depending on the amount of wall vs. floor or number of people in the shot. Now I set to M mode and check the meter, then check the histogram every so often and I know if I've got the camera level or from above, one or many people - they're all pretty well exposed. Another good example would be Denise'sblack dog and white dog but without the changing light. Exposure requirement is the same regardless of which dog but the camera meter would say otherwise in Av, Tv or P mode.
M mode is also great for flash photography. I'd hazard a guess that the macro-with-flash and strobists here on TDP are all using M.
At the other end of the scale if I'm taking photos of say people outdoors under varied lighting and want medium aperture then I've no problem using P mode and letting the camera sort out the exposure. In M mode I'd muck up most of my shots!
For everything else I photograph so far I'd probably use Av.
Probably the silliest thing I've done in the pastis use M mode but continually check the camera meter and adjust the shutter time to get the right exposure- until I realised I was simply being a human Av mode!
Now Denise... Don't quit on us. I've looked through your website and, while I don't have any website design tips, I really like your photos. I particularly liked the nature photos where you do really well at limiting the frame to two colours and nice bold colours at that!
Paul M.
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