I’ve talked a lot about how I started using Manual mode frequently last year. Why did I change from preferentially using Aperture priority?

I’m all for using manual mode on a camera to learn the basics of exposure, and how ISO, aperture and shutter speed interact. That said, I’ve been using aperture priority for years. I didn’t want the hassle of having to change all the variables, so I’d set my ISO and aperture and let the camera figure out what shutter speed was best. I’m used to dialling in plus and minus exposure compensation to get the best exposure depending on the light an the subject. It was just the way I worked – until we went to South Africa.

Dad was shooting in manual, and encouraged me to do so as well. I was hesitant to do so because I didn’t want to miss shots while mucking around with settings I was out of practice with. Having to manipulate every setting is difficult when the light is constantly changing, and your subjects are against all manner of different backgrounds (or so I thought). But I’m always up for a challenge, so I set my camera on manual mode and went for it. By initially taking a test shot and optimising shutter speed, aperture and ISO, I found it surprisingly easy to alter settings on the go to meet the needs of the light and what subject I was shooting – and in fact it seems much more intuitive to me than exposure compensation.

I was amazed at how quickly I got used to monitoring the light and changing settings accordingly, without needing to give it much thought. Now, I will preferentially use manual mode over aperture priority in most situations. Using manual mode also made it possible for me to get shots I’d have otherwise missed or exposed incorrectly. Overseas trips are always a steep learning curve for me, which I enjoy immensely. It’s very satisfying to feel your reflexes improve over the course of a few days, and to apply knowledge practically is the best way to learn and master new concepts. I feel more aware as a photographer now, constantly thinking about light and how I’d set my exposure even when I’m not taking photographs!

Using manual mode is not as difficult as it is made out to be, it just takes practice.

Here’s a few tips:

• Take an initial test shot and set your ISO, aperture and shutter speed so that your exposure is spot on using the in camera exposure meter.
• Learn your camera – make sure you know which buttons to press and dials to turn and in which direction to change aperture, ISO and shutter speed. Once you are familiar, practice until you can do it without thinking.
• If the light changes, you can adjust quickly by keeping an eye on the exposure meter in your viewfinder, which will tell you if you are under or over exposing. Sometimes you’ll want to over or under expose to get the image you want.
• Check the histogram of the shots you take to make sure you get what you want.

I’m not going to advise always using manual mode – there are many times when aperture priority is a much better tool for the job! I’d say that I probably use the two almost equally often now.

So there’s why – I like the control that using Manual gives me. Once I got comfortable with it, I could take advantage of opportunities that I would have missed otherwise. I encourage you to try it, don’t put it in the ‘too hard’ basket!