How to Easily Master MANUAL MODE for Perfectly EXPOSED Landscape Photos
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In this week’s episode, we discuss how to easily master manual mode for perfectly exposed landscape photos. I'm personally not one that believes using manual mode automatically makes you a better photographer and I don't think manual mode automatically makes better photos either. I do however believe that understanding how to use manual mode is what matters most in order to improve your landscape photography. Whether or not you actually use it isn't as important as the knowledge you gain from merely understanding how manual mode can positively impact your photography.
In this video, I review an easy step by step process that enabled me to finally understand the inner workings of manual mode. It doesn't matter what type of camera you use, manual mode is manual mode regardless of the brand or style of camera you're using and this process should help resolve any confusion you may have. I recall when I was new to landscape photography the mere thought of using manual mode made be quiver with angst and no matter how many videos I watched or articles I read on the topic, I still didn't understand it.
My goal with this week's video is that at the end you'll not only have a newfound appreciation for the creative control that manual mode provides, but also a clear and comfortable understanding of exactly how it works and how you can apply it to your landscape photography moving forward.
If you enjoyed this video, please consider giving it a thumbs up and let me know what you think in the comments below - I guarantee I'll get back to ya.
Thanks for watching everyone!
-Mark D.
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What camera mode do you use most often?
It depends on the subject, if shooting birds, I'll use shutter priority. If landscape, mostly manual, ETTR, bracketed. So, it depends.
Manual 100%
I shoot Aperture Priority with a fixed ISO. After the first shot I will look to see if the highlights are blown out. If they are I will bracket darker by a stop for blending. If I need to slow down the shutter speed for effect I will use ND filters.
On a tripod, always manual with f8.
Great educational video. 👍👍👍👍
Manual, sometimes AutoISO with Max 800 on my Fuji X-T30
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I just turned 77 years old and purchased my first digital camera and have been struggling with manual mode settings. While I have no problem taking photos with my new Nikon D850 in auto mode it was a big problem for me in manual mode. Again I thank you for a very easy to understand explanation about manual mode.
Chuck
I use aperture priority mode which in a sense is a form of manual mode because I also set the iso and sometimes shutter depending on the scene. I like to have most of my control over the aperture which helps with depth of field.
Since currently I’m stuck in the house due to the rainy Northwest I will experiment around with your method.
Thanks for your video. You are the easiest person to listen to on CZcams. Your voice is very calm with straightforward information for all levels of photographers.
Really appreciate the feedback Alan! Thank YOU!
Alan Humbard I feel you brother 🤷♂️ I’m in the PNW also. Have to motivate myself to get out and shoot
I totally 💯 agree!🫡
Great video Mark. 50+ years ago I managed to painfully, and somewhat expensively, teach myself manual exposure control using roll after roll of film and a notepad. I'd shoot one or two rolls of film and carefully log each exposure f stop, shutter speed and film speed. Once it was developed, studio for color and B&W by myself) I'd compare each image to my notepad and make notes regarding the outcome. It was an extremely satisfying experience and has served me well for decades. With today's DSLR's and camera phones it's surprising to me the number of people that have zero idea what it's like to take control of your shooting rather than just leaving the camera on auto. I still miss the smells of my local photo shop and my own darkroom. Dave
Your voice is so soothing I play all your videos and it helps my baby sleep. You’re my new Bob Ross.
Nicholas Nguyen Hahah! That’s awesome - Bob Ross is the man!
Good video Mark. If I could add something. Camera meters read reflected light and when zeroed out will make it 18% grey, or a grey card (film talk). The problem can be photographing subjects that are brighter than medium tone (18% grey) or lighter than medium tone. Snow for instance, if you make the meter read zero, the snow will be grey, but if you move the indicator over to about +1.7 you will have properly exposed snow. It doesn't mean you are over exposing the snow, it is properly exposed but based on its tonality to medium it should be brighter, in this case +1.7. The meter doesn't know what you are pointed at, you have to help tell it what tone you are looking at. A great exercise for me years ago was to go buy a pack of construction paper and lay out the colors that are similar and meter to find the one that is medium than meter the others to see how they relate to the one that is medium. My Ah Ha moment was reading John Shaw's book on Nature Photography years and years ago. Then working with him for several years set it in my mind even more. I hope that makes some sense. Again, love your videos.
Much appreciated David - thank you! I actually mentioned that same example with regards to snow in my Winter Landscape Photography video earlier this month. It took me forever to figure one winter why my snow always looked gray! I’m not familiar with John’s book you mentioned, but I’ll be sure to check it out👍
@@MarkDenneyPhoto it is a great book. Thanks again for always putting out great videos.
The fact that mirrorless cameras show you what is basically the end result on the screen before you even take the picture makes everything so easy. I think you can even overlay a real time histogram on your screen. This is what's driving me to get a mirrorless setup. That and I'm still shooting with a D700.
I can really appreciate the manner in which you explained manual metering. Well Done.
Read your camera's manual so you know about your light meter! Just saying to people who said they wish they knew how to understand the dreaded M-word when they first started in Photography.
Great video Mark, I see that you do it the same as I have shown other photographers. I don't start with the ISO, trying to base it on the kind of light you are in as the first thing to set for me its last.
For creativity, you have two choices for any type of photography. Aperture or shutter speed or a happy medium of both and one will always be more important than the other. So I pick what I definitely a must and set it. After that the second most important thing and lastly ISO.
Alvin Lipscomb Thanks Alvin! Appreciate you checking out the video!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto No problem It was recommended Its a good video
After 15 years of photography I perfectly know how to use manual mode. I use it in 90% of my photography to be fair. So I didn’t need this video but I thought to myself, I have a lot of time today so I turned on my 65inch tv, dropped myself in the seat and a few seconds later I was with you in the wood and as always with your videos, I really enjoyed it. Thanks Mark!
This is great! Many thanks for checking out the video!
Can we start a petition to have Mark wear Jedi Master robes/attire when he is doing his tutorials?
hahah - In next weeks video...
That's awesome LOL. Where do I sign!
I will vote for that! LOL
Yeah!!!
When I bought my camera I committed to shoot in manual mode only even though I didn't understand how the settings of ISO, shutter speed and f stop effected the photo. Practicing and making adjustments along with watching your video's has helped me understand how to take great pictures. I don't even consider auto mode as an option now. I still have lots to learn and look forward to your video's each week Mark. Thanks!
Many thanks Craig - very glad to hear it!
Love seeing you out in the field man. Great video as usual!
Perea Photography Appreciate it Mike!!
Great video and probably the easiest explanation to understand I have seen. I have just started using vintage lenses on my Fuji XT2 and have no option but to use the manual settings.I can't believe how cheap some of these lenses can be. In some cases literally, 2 or 3 Uk pounds for some old film prime lenses from junk shops. It has opened up a new creative world to me.
Thanks so much - really glad you enjoyed it!
Wish I had had this video when I first started shooting in manual. Very well explained. When I used to shoot with film, only had to worry about 2 things - shutter speed and aperture. ISO was whatever film speed was in the camera...usually 100. Made photo's much more consistent and I really struggled when I went digital. Good video Mark.
Got my camera a month ago. Usually in aperture priority. I've never seen such a brilliantly simple and effective explanation of this matter. And i've seen a LOT! I think this was my "a-ha moment". Thank you for that. Cheers!
This is awesome to hear Sergio! Thanks for letting me know!
Started playing with aperture priority first and quickly went to manual. I don't really think about how I am doing it but what you described is exactly the process.
Really good stuff Mark. You made me realize what I am doing. Thanks
Mike H Appreciate it Mike!
Your YT channel always is the best place to get overall information about photography especially on the tech side. Thanks for your many year of contributing to my improving my photography skills. Thanks
Thanks Mark . Have been trying to wrap my head around using the Light meter, will use this lesson over and over again.
Oh your tutorial made sense to my dyslexic brain. Other people made it so hard and complicated with all sorts of math calculations etc which I cannot fathom with my form of dyslexia. Thank you so much! I am going to go through and write it out step by step (unless you have that somewhere) and practice. I also liked the quiet walk and set up piece at the beginning. It was a nice lead in.
Boofy Halfpint Great to hear the video was helpful👍
@@MarkDenneyPhoto Oh it was. I look forward to nutting it out and getting better at my hobby.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and details guide. You make photography more than a hobby.
Really enjoyed this video even though I already shoot in manual. I struggle during fall and winter getting motivated to get out and shoot if the conditions aren't "perfect". This video showed me to get out no matter what, there's always a composition to be made. Great work, great content Mark. Your general demeanor and voice are so calming and soothing, you're kinda like the Bob Ross of photography!
Thanks so much Stacey! Really appreciate that - I miss Bob Ross, he was the best!
Thank you for explaining this in a way that is easy to understand. I will be taking this information and applying it to help me become a better photographer in manual mode!
Thanks for the tips.. help me alot
This video was VERY helpful! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Mark, I just discovered your channel, and I have to say you and it are amazing - helpful, transparent, useful, and well-thought-out tips every time. I've learned something in nearly every video I've watched, and I've just scratched the surface. Keep up the wonderful work.
Tom Vaughn Thanks so much Tom!
Thanks, great explanation. My "aha" moment was actually a few days ago when I finally understood how to use exposure compensation and when it might be necessary to use the +/- little button.
Margarita N Thanks so much!!
wow major difference between the two photos! For the first time, I actually am grasping how to use manual mode! Thank you!
THANK YOU!!! fairly new with my Nikon D3500 and only you have managed to get me to finally understand manual mode - I can't thank you enough!
Love the in-field bit Mark, great stuff. You've got such a knack for teaching.
Thank ya! I really enjoyed putting the intro portion of this weeks video together.
Excellent, Mark. It's nice to see you out in the field. Thank you for effortlessly going thru the steps. I'm usually in aperture mode.
Another Excellent Learning Video, Clearly presented, enjoyable to view. Thanks Mark
Mark! Great Video...simple and clear instructions. I'm on my way to practice. Thanks.
Really enjoyed that mate well made and thought out!
PhotoNinja Thank ya much - fun one to make👍
What a beautiful video. I felt like I was walking right alongside you enjoying that peaceful setting. Perfect explanation and perfect presentation. I may just watch it again to take that walk once more. I have found the most useful tool that I dread carrying around is the tripod--it really enables the most creativity and allows you to TAKE YOUR TIME, COMPOSE, and work the scene. Thanks for an enjoyable and inspiring 16 minutes! I'm going to the park tomorrow, with camera, AND tripod.
Glad to do it and very happy to hear you enjoyed the video!
Just had my aha moment! Your video is genius! Thanks Mark!
Thanks for the tip. I was always scared of manual mode and only shot shutter or aperture priority. Now i will experiment with manual.
Great video content explained in an easily understood manner. Something that struck me while watching the video is how much I appreciate that you do not use distracting background music to your videos. I hope you will keep it that way.
Thanks so much Roger! Really glad to hear you enjoyed this weeks video!
Mark...Thank you for the reason/reality of Manual Controls and how you arrived at that. Before now, felt that it was more of a guess as to what kind of "looked" ok, vs a specific way and reason to achieve a balanced photo. Much appreciated. Mostly have been using Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority. Now I have a reason and means to use Manual.
All of this is great. Thank you!
Thanks Mark I have been meddling with auto mode for a while and always wondered why the exposure meter was never centred. Your simple explanation has created my light bulb moment....thanks so much.📷😊
Glad it was helpful Greg!
Great tutorial. Answered several questions. Thanks!
George E Much appreciated George - thank you!
I use a lot of manual when out shooting landscapes but I leave the camera in AP when driving. It's an easy grab and shoot if needed
Yes - true! Manual mode while driving would be a tad bit iffy!
Thanks for this simple and effective explanation! I’ve typically used aperture priority or shutter priority. Now I feel like I have the confidence to use manual. Thanks!
David Clore Glad to do it David!! Thank for checking it out👍
Great tutorial, Mark...Keep em coming! :)
Thank you for this video! Just starting photography and trying to wrap my head around this ....and you just made that wow moment for me...thank you.
Awesome to hear Troy! Thanks for letting me know!
Wow your tutorials are always so clear to understand. Thank you for this video 🙌🏼
Guacamo-Lei Thank you! That’s great to hear!
Haha, got it thanks Mark as always right balance of delivery and just the right amount of info.
Much appreciated - thank you👍👍
Thanks a lot for another inspiring and very well explained video.😀
Fantastic simple explanation Mark. Thanks for the time you take to explain and educate.
I usually shoot I AP mode and compensate my exposure with the exposure dial. That way I control Aperture and ISO manually. This works fine except for moving water. But I probably should train more in Manual mode. What I find confusing sometimes on my Sony A7RIII is that it seems to be a lag in the exposure meter. Usually I then use the histogram for my main information source of how the exposure will be.
Thanks Mark! After watching this video twice, I finally get it! I know, I'm slow. You certainly aren't. Spent a couple of hours doing what you suggested to get a handle on manual mode and it worked like charm. Thanks again!
Gary Roberts This is great to hear Gary! Appreciate you letting me know👍
Great video. Thanks Mark.
Sergio Appreciate it Sergio!
This is exactly what I was looking for‼️ Thanks Mark‼️
Really good easy to understand set of instructions since I am very new to photography and especially the Sony a6400. Thanks for the video.
Terry Gordon Glad to do it and thank YOU for watching Terry!
Mark, I am not sure you made the case for manual over shutter priority or aperture priority. Full manual is clearly total control but trying to juggle 3 sides of the triangle is asking a lot when the camera can sort out one of them, based on the other two. I was recently shooting handheld in low light and I knew I wanted sharp images so went for a fixed shutter speed. As you quite rightly pointed out there were occasions when the wide open lens was not enough to get '0' on the meter, so it was then a case of increasing the ISO. Having started with fully manual film cameras, I really like allowing the digital camera to do some of the work.
I just started in photography about 5 months ago, kind of. I have been exposed to photography my whole life, my dad was a really good photographer back in film days, but never made the digital conversion. One of my original goals was to not shoot in auto at all. Another goal is to maybe get my dad back into photography, he’s retired and could use a hobby.
I often find myself shooting the same compositions with vastly different settings just to learn.
Keep up the great videos, I am enjoying the learning experience, especially with post editing as I am finding that more difficult than expected.
Hi Mark, I owe you a debt of gratitude. I was having fits with my new (this year) camera, it's a Nikon D7500 with the 18 - 140 kit lens. All my exposures were coming out way under exposed and when I tried to balance it out I would get an over exposed shot - very frustrating until I viewed your video on shooting manual. I took out my camera and found that I had exposure compensation maxed out to the negative. I zeroed it out and now the camera is performing beautifully in all modes. Many many thanks to you, problem solved
As always great tips!
Tommy Warrington Thanks Tommy!
Boy, does this video make me feel old. I started photography with a film camera that only had one mode, manual, and one way to "adjust" the ISO, change the film in the camera. But, I suppose that this video has some merit if it gets many people out of the automatic mode, and they begin to explore all the wonderful features of a modern digital camera.
Nicely explained. I use manual for my night scapes because there is no other alternative. And usually aperture priority or shutter priority in the daytime.
Thanks Keith! True - Manual is a must for Astro👍
I loved the few seconds of nature at the start. Like a mini mindfulness session!
Neil Partridge Thanks Neil! It’s one of my favorite parts - loved making that segment!
Very helpful thank you
Harry Zaruba III Thanks Harry!
As complicated as cameras are today, in one sense they make everything so easy. Before digital cameras I carried 2 camera bodies and dozens of rolls of slide film, Kodachrome 64, and Fuji Pro 50, 100 and 400 asa. If you needed a faster ‘ISO’, you needed a 200 or 400 asa film, or ‘pushed’ the film by shooting it at a higher as a setting on the camera and having it custom processed later. There was no switching a setting and seeing your shot on live view. Technology is incredible and manual mode is so much easier to get a good shot.
Best explanation yet thanks
Thanks Ken!
@12:41 The secret revealed “...light on the ceiling fan” lol 😂👍🏻 . I’ve done the same thing. Great video as always...
Another excellent video! Love the explanation and the easy pace you set in your talks. I started out in photography in 1970 when I bought my first 35mm SLR camera - a Yashica TL Super. Like one of your other viewers said, the way you set the ISO was change the film. Pretty limited. So you learned real quick to adjust the aperature and the shutter speed for the picture you wanted. When I recently bought my first DSLR camera I had to learn the connection with ISO. The range was phenomenal! But I had to keep telling myself it was like changing the film. :)
John Wagner Thank ya John! Really appreciate the positive feedback as well👍
I think it's important that people just starting out / not that familiar with manual mode understand that you may blow your highlights if you're only using metering to determine your exposure. I don't use the meter at all for landscapes (I only shoot manual) as the histogram is the richer tool for this. It will allow you to see if you're going to blow out any highlights, whereas the light meter will not do that for you, and it's not uncommon for those blown highlights to happen even though the meter says you're well exposed.
Yep, after you become comfortable with the light meter the histogram is where you want to point your attention next in order to ensure you don’t clip your shadows or highlights👍
wow Mark, I've been a keen photogpraher for many years and had a mental block about Manual mode. Your video gave me the ahah moment. Thankyou.
This is great to hear - mission accomplished! Thanks for letting me know!
I see a Thomas Heaton moment there Mark, photographing the yellow leafed trees. Ha. Ha.
Once again, a very good instructional video from a master teacher.
Good to see you getting out from behind your desk. Well done. More like this please.
Great video I must say you are a very good presenter not over powering very chilled
Great video. When using it vertical, does it get the photo closer to the ground or does it matter vertical or horizontal. please advise. thanks
Dope video this week. I, for one, have always shot in manual mode, even when I shoot events and concerts. I've never really had an issue in doing so, and in concerts, I honestly find it fairly easy. I'm a bit of a tinkerer and someone who enjoys the process, so I tend to take the long road when doing work, even in editing.
Thanks Ricardo! Glad you enjoyed it man!
My goal for 2019 was to ditch manual mode. Now it’s late 2020 and I’m not super comfortable with it but I’m making myself use it more and more. This was a great video that was very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks a ton for this video. Very informative.
Glad to do it Prasad and many thanks to you for watching the video!
You got me to understand it. Thank You! Joe P
Hi Mark, thanks for all that you do. Quick question, what are your thoughts on the Lightroom app for the iPad?
Luke Edge Glad to do it Luke! So far so good - it’s a pretty robust mobile editing solution, I just wish it had access to LR Range Masks.
Great video Mark, really enjoyed the content and how you presented it.
Mike
Much appreciated Mike - thank you!
I will have to walk through this over the weekend thanks
If you have any questions - just let me know👍
Damn Mark, wish I had this video at my disposal when I started. My ah ha moment was when you were in the woods and talking about ISO, then, it just clicked!! Thanks, another great video from you!!
Great to hear - very happy to hear the video was helpful👍
Nice and simple explanation dear Mark ❤️👍
In spite of that I always use the manual mode but still enjoying your explanation. ✌🏻✌🏻
Thank ya friend! Always appreciate you watching!
Certainly a helpful video! I just switched from a simple point-n-shoot Canon IXUS thingy to an Olympus OM-D E-M10 III (M4/3). This vid helped a lot to somewhat understand what the LCD-screen is telling me in terms of exposure and when it's 'right' once the mode-dial is switched to 'M'.
jjp_nl Thanks so much! Great to hear the video was helpful👍
Great video explaining a very daunting concept! Cheers
Much appreciated - thank you!
Excellent explanation of manual thank you
Thanks Mark. Another very helpful video. I'm sitting at home in Edinburgh Scotland practising because the weather is dreadful. Well it is winter after all. Saturday promises to be windy but sunny so I'm heading 25 miles. down the coast to Tantallon Castle which sits on the east coast near the town of North Berwick. It's very dramatic and visually imposing. (feel free to Google). I normally use AP mostly but I'm going to use MM all day just to get used to it.
Thanks Roger👍
Hi Mark,
Thank you for such clarity as always.
Can you tell me what metering mode do you use for Landscape. I have mine on ‘Multi’ but was wondering if you’d recommend something different like ‘Entire Screen Avg.’
Glad to do it Bruce! I always leave my metering on Multi as well.
Mark Denney Thanks Mark. 🙌🏻
I have a Sony a7r3 and use aperture priority with the exposure comp dial most of the time. However, if lighting is tricky, I will switch to full-manual mode and expose based on what I know I can tinker with in Darktable. In any mode, I tend to use multi-metering instead of spot metering.
Thinking of Zone exposure while framing or visually determining shots helps me out quite a lot. I can usually get exposure within a half stop of what I wanted without needing to futz around with bracketing.
Mark looking to buy a tripod and love your setup. Is the ball joint camera attachment thingy bought seperate from your tripod?
Love the easiness and efficiency it works
Yep, it’s separate from the tripod. It’s the BH40 ballhead from Really Right Stuff - works great👍
I'm new to DSLR cameras but I've been watching your videos. On this one, how do you get your photos on your iPad to display the ISO, Aperture, and shutter speeds? I have a PC, can i set that setting on the PC too, or is that just on the iPad?
This is a great video for the newer folks. Very well put together and easy to understand. I typically use manual, and sometimes aperture priority. Depending on the situation. See you next week my friend!
Thanks Erick!
Ah ha now absolutely crystal clear. Thank you Mark 👍
Very good tutorial Mark. Also several videos ago you recommended some photographer CZcamsrs. One in particular was Rachel Lerch. I did start following her and she is a delightful breath of fresh air. Thanks for putting me onto her.
Many thanks John! Rachel is fantastic, glad to hear you’re enjoying her channel!
Good info in a surprisingly short video. You kept the how and why of using fully manual mode concise and to the point.
That said, I have lost count of the times people have told me "I only shoot manual", only to find out they are using Auto ISO. Well, that ain't manual even though the camera's exposure mode is set to M. It's not necessarily wrong, but it definitely isn't manual.
I've béen shooting for many decades and some of the cameras I've used gave me no choice but to shoot fully manual. What I've learned is that manual exposure puts me I most fully in charge of how the image will look, but I have to be able to predict the results in my mind to decide the settings I'll use. Also, strictly manual exposure isn't always the best choice. It depends upon the situation.
You were making landscape images and that's your forte. It's also usually a slower and more deliberate or thoughtful form of shooting that really lends itself to fully manual exposure.
But there are other types of photography where some form of auto exposure can be essential, such as a lot of sports photography. Following subjects moving through different lighting conditions and having to shoot rapidly in response to the subect's actions, there's often simply no time to adjust manual exposure.
For that reason I cringe a little when someone tells me they only shoot manual. Maybe they only shoot the types of photography where that's possible, such as landscape, some macro, studio product or portrait work under controlled lighting, etc. However, only shooting manual leaves them unprepared for other, faster shooting situations. I try to encourage people to not restrict themselves to manual only, to learn how their camera works in aperture priority, shutter priority and manual + auto ISO modes, as well as how to use Exposure Compensation to tweak those auto exposure settings. Now, you weren't suggesting in the video that people restrict themselves to fully manual mode. But in my experience people often take this type of video that way, assuming it's the one and only method a "real pro" will use for everything, when it may not be unless they only shoot certain types of images.
Thanks for the excellent video, though. Very useful and informative.
So what’s a better way to get a good exposure, by using the light meter and finding zero or using the histogram and ETTR? Also, if you find zero on the light meter how does that correlate to where the histogram ends up? The other day I was shooting a waterfall mid day, overcast and no sun, F11, 1/5, ISO 100 and the light meter was on zero but the histogram was crammed to the right, clipping like crazy. When I adjusted to get the histogram to stop clipping on the right then my light meter was all the way to the left, negative showing underexposed. I use evaluative metering on my Canon.
My first camera was a fully manual Nikon f3 underwater camera. You learned manual cause you didn't have any other choice . I would recommend using manual only for beginners because It's a lot easier now with an electronic light meter built in .
Thank you Mark - best I've seen about this mode. 👏👏👏🇨🇦
Thanks so much Don!
Hi Mark, I use app. priority mode the most. Thanks for this great tip using the light meter. I am going to play around with it and start using the manual mode a little more. Thanks
Thanks for watching the video Bill! If you have any questions once you start to test it out just let me know!
thanks for the great video will make me try manual mode more
Glad to do it Lee! Hope the video was helpful!
Knowing how to use M is important and come in handy sometimes but using it for every frame will distract and slow you down, using semi-automatic modes, like aperture prio or shutter prio is equally important.
You're out shooting landscapes and you're in a hurry? I wonder what you miss.