Auto vs. Manual Mode

I know a lot of people have DSLR cameras and a lot of people (including me) bought one and had no idea how to use it. For the longest time I took my camera, set it on AUTO mode, and just let it do its thing. I didn't know how to shoot manually, and it was easier just to put it on AUTO and delete the shots that didn't turn out the way I wanted. I am by no means an expert, and I still have so much to learn. But if you own a DSLR camera, I encourage you to take the time to play with it and really practice shooting on manual mode. In AUTO the camera does was it thinks it best, in manual mode you tell the camera what to do! Here are some examples. All of these pictures were taken with no flash, just natural sunlight.

This picture was shot in AUTO. The camera chose the shutter speed and aperture and this was the result. Aperture: f/5 Shutter Speed: 1/100


This picture was shot in manual mode. Still no flash was used. I opened up the aperture to f/2.8 to let more light in and changed the shutter speed to 1/200, just a tad faster. The result is a much more natural and flattering picture.


Here is one more example.

Shot in AUTO mode. Aperture: f/5. Shutter Speed: 1/100


Shot in manual mode. Aperture: f/2.8. Shutter speed 1/200.


Again, I am no expert, but I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and see what happens when you start telling you camera what to do! And I'd like to think my super sweet husband for being my model!