When I first got started in photography, I will admit, I used the full auto function. I was completely comfortable letting the camera do all the work.
All those different buttons and settings. . . they were too intimidating.
However, not too long after the first foray into my photographic experience, the camera settings just weren’t living up to the images I had in my mind that I knew I wanted to create. So, diving straight into the deep end I went. FULL MANUAL SETTINGS.
I’d love to say that I was a natural and immediately captured the incredible images of sunsets and mountain landscapes filled with rich, deep colour. . . But I would be completely lying.
MY INCREDIBLE FIRST IMAGES IN FULL MANUAL SETTING
Fail! Too underexposed
Fail! Too overexposed
As you can see in the images above, I made the common error of not using proper combinations of shutter speed and aperture setting.
I was determined not to be deterred. I WAS GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT if it was the last thing I did.
The logical side of my brain took over and came up with a step-by-step plan to conquer the MANUAL MODE CHALLENGE.
The first step was sitting down and creating a table where I could record all the important information from each shot that I took. I made sure there was a place to record information on the settings I used, the time of day, and what my expectations were for the shot. That way, I had a record of all the trial and error I went through in order to achieve the look I wanted.
Through this time of experimentation I developed a comprehensive photo log sheet that I still use to this day. It allows me to document all the shots I take during a photo shoot, the subject, shutter speed, ISO, aperture setting, and the focal length (and/or lens) that I used. It also has a place to jot down notes specific to that shot (like what my goal was etc.) as well as a handy-dandy spot to record if I want to keep it or not.
If you’d like a FREE PDF copy of my log sheet, request it below:
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION
I have recently partnered with the publishing company Silver Siren Press Ltd. for a number of different projects. One of them is creating a photo log book based on my template above. If that’s something you’d be interested in learning more about, sign up using the form to the right.Â
SO WHAT AM I SAYING?
It all boils down to these three key reasons why it is always a good idea for novice photographers to use a photo log and make sure that they carefully take notes for each photo.
1. It will help you to analyze your shots
When you are first starting out with photography, it is important to take the time to analyze your shots. You don’t want to simply take ‘snapshots’ any longer. You are trying to create proper photographic images. Using a photo log sheet helps you to organize the data you need to analyze the important details of each shot.
2. You will learn cause and effect quickly
Most photographers will record details such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens focal length, time of day, and probably most importantly – your expectation for the final image. Don’t worry, your whole life as a photographer isn’t going to be spent recording all this information. However, if you do it when you first start, it will help you to learn how each individual setting you use affects the outcome of the image.
3. Being able to predict your final outcome ROCKS!
If you were to record the information for approximately 200 individual shots, you would find that at the end of those 200 shots you have a much better understanding of how the individual settings affect the final image. You would also find that you would be able to remember most of your settings or, at the very least, you would be able to make an educated guess as to the approximate values.
These days, when I take my camera out to shoot, I have a much better idea right off the bat about what settings I should be using for that particular situation. I still have the odd day where I might over or underexpose an image, but after years of practice and documenting settings and analyzing patterns, I can better predict each outcome. AND THAT ROCKS!
