Sometimes serendipity happens. A great moment may happen but it probably lasts only seconds. That means you have to (1) know your camera's controls intimately, and (2) have a plan as to what settings to use should you have a very small amount of time to react. I typically keep my camera on Program mode because the camera will set the shutter speed and aperture for me. If I see something remarkable, like this hang glider descending quite unexpectedly in front of a stunning dune in Namibia, all I have to do is focus, compose, and shoot. Manual mode would have been much too slow -- I would have missed the perfect shot -- and aperture priority, if set for a small aperture, would force the shutter to be dangerously slow especially if the light was low. As for shutter priority, I would have had to look at the camera, choose the speed, and then shoot . . . and I might have missed the optimal composition. So, for me, Program is the default exposure mode unless I want something else such as depth of field, motion blur, etc. In this way, I can shoot extremely quickly.
9 Comments
Sep 20, 2016, 1:56:40 PM
Jim - Hi Joy, Thanks for the clarification on the paraglider. I know the difference, but I guess I was typing fast and didn't think about it. And thanks for the link to your work. I will look at your galleries when I have a break -- I'm in China right now leading a photo tour.
Sep 19, 2016, 9:28:53 PM
Joy - Hi Jim,
I have admired your work for years. I think you are a very talented photographer! I was looking at your photos today & saw this one. Just thought you'd want to know that the person is in a paraglider. You call it a hang glider. My dad has a paraglider with a motor so he can take off from flat areas. His wing looks similar.
On another note, I'm so happy to know that I'm not the only one who keeps my camera in Program mode. I didn't know if pros did that or not. I have lost shots before because I had it in Aperture mode & the photo came out blurry.
I would love to take a photography course one day when I have the $$.
If you want to check out my website, it's http://www.joybello.com/-/joybello/
Sep 11, 2016, 8:28:14 AM
Jim - Bob-- my biggest concern is the size and weight of the camera because of my back, but I work around that as best as I can by carrying less in my backpack, working from a vehicle, or using a rolling bag. For walking long distances in the field, especially with a long lens, then I'm in trouble. But, hey, artists have to suffer for their art. At least I won't cut off my ear like Van Gogh did . . .
Sep 11, 2016, 12:26:34 AM
Bob Vestal - 400 ISO does like good default choice for reasonably good light.
I bet you are going to love the new camera. I will be envious! At least for awhile. I like the 1Dx very much, but I left it home when we went to Galapagos mainly because of its size and weight.
Sep 10, 2016, 6:21:26 AM
Jim - Bob -- 400 is my default ISO.
I will receive the 1Dx Mark II on Monday. I saw a thorough and excellent review that said 6400 is no problem, but I also saw a picture in the same review where the photographer had used 10,000 ISO and it look pretty good to me!
Sep 10, 2016, 1:28:39 AM
Bob Vestalrv - Do you have a preferred default ISO setting when using Program? 400 or 800?
Also, I will be very interested in what you think about the 1Dx Mark II. I have the 1Dx and from reviews it does appear that there has been much reduction in noise at higher ISOs. However, I do use the 1Dx with manageable noise at high ISO in very low light, particularly during dress rehearsals for a contemporay dance company with stage lighting..
Sep 9, 2016, 6:46:00 AM
Jim - Thank you, Vera and Bob. I appreciate your compliments.
Bob -- I just bought the 1Dx Mark II. Haven't received it yet, but it's supposed to go up to 6400 with no noise. I'll see.
Sep 9, 2016, 4:58:23 AM
Vera - Jim. You are a gift to the world. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Sep 9, 2016, 12:27:37 AM
Bob Vestal - Thanks, Jim, for that advice. I typically reserve Program mode for flash situations when I don't have time to do test shots. Using it as you describe is a new idea for me and makes sense. Lighting situations vary a lot, but do you have a default ISO setting, i.e. 400 or even 800 on cameras with excellent sensors? Truly great shot by the way.