How to Take Stunning Photos Using Manual Mode
What is Manual Mode?
Manual mode on a camera allows the photographer to determine the exposure of an image by letting them select an aperture value and a shutter speed value.
When setting or using manual mode have the option to change these three things to help take a correctly exposed photograph:
ISO
Shutter speed
Aperture.
Here is a quick rundown on these three areas and tips to consider for each one
ISO – Controlling Sensor Sensitivity
ISO is a measure of the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light.
The key to understanding how ISO works and can affect your photograph is by gradually increasing the ISO, your image will become brighter, but this will also cause your photograph to have more digital noise.
So the best thing to consider is that the light condition will control the ISO that you decide to use and the best rule of thumb is to pick the base ISO which is either 100 or 200.
Take a look at these images to help you decide which ISO to use for which light condition.
I tend to use ISO 100 whenever I am using a tripod, 400 IS0 when I am shooting during the high sun and 800 ISO when in a low light situation
Shutter Speed – Controlling Exposure Time
Shutter speed simply refers to the amount of time that the camera's shutter is open. The longer the shutter is open, the more light passes through to the camera's sensor.
Here is a quick tip for how I use my camera and my consideration of the shutter speed:
Don’t shoot below 1? 60 speed when hand-holding the camera
Set your speed 1? 125 when you shot with a studio light
Set your speed below 1/5 if you wish to start to take a slow shutter speed image.
Take a look at these images and look at some set speeds to use at different speeds for any situation.
Aperture – Controlling Light and Depth of Field
‘Aperture is ‘the opening in the lens.’
When you hit the shutter release button of your camera a hole opens up that allows your camera’s image sensor to catch a glimpse of the scene you’re capturing. The aperture you set impacts the size of that hole.
Tip - The larger the hole the more light that gets in – the smaller the hole the less light.
Using the Light Meter for Proper Exposure
After understanding the three elements that work together to help you take a correctly exposed picture.
You need to understand how to use the light meter line within your camera, through the viewfinder or on the live view of your camera.
LIVE VIEW EXAMPLE OF THE LIGHT METER
Below is a visual picture that shows the light meter that each camera has and you will need to amend this light meter when shooting in manual mode. To amend the light meter you need to use any of these three elements which are ISO, Shutter speed, or Aperture.
You need to make sure that each photograph has no marks going towards the + or the - sign.
Some key tips to consider:
Change the aperture when you wish to get more depth of field in a picture
Change the shutter speed if you wish to fasten the speed or slow the speed
Only amend the ISO as a last option if you have to in different lighting conditions.
Step-by-Step Camera Process in Manual Mode
How to Shoot in Manual Mode
Check the exposure of your shot with the light meter visible through your viewfinder.
Pick an aperture.
Adjust the shutter speed.
Pick an ISO setting.
If the light meter “ticker” is lined up with 0 you have a “properly” exposed picture.
Take the Shot.
The process for this blog is all about focus stacking and both this process and Bokeh can be combined to make a full object focused, with the Bokeh effect as the background.
Unlock Your Creative Potential with 1:1 Photography Tuition!
Mastering manual mode is easier with hands-on guidance. Book a personalised photography session to learn manual mode, focus stacking, Bokeh, and creative techniques. Perfect for aspiring photographers, creative professionals, or anyone wanting to take professional-quality images.
