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How Do I Get Started Shooting in Manual Mode?
So, you’ve been hearing a lot about shooting in manual mode, and thinking to yourself “Hmmm, I’d like to try manual mode, but i’m still on AUTO, what do I need to do to help me make the switch?”
Well, wonder no more, because that’s where this blog post comes in.
I’m going to break down the steps you should take, and the things you need to understand before moving on to the next step , so that moving to Manual Mode is a smooth transition. Think of it as your own little roadmap for switching to manual mode 😀
You see, it’s not as simple as turning the dial on your camera to the big “M”, which is where a LOT of people fall down.
So, are you ready? Let’s dig in.
10 Most Helpful Blog Posts For Moving Your Photography Forward
This has been one of my favourite blog posts to write this year, because it has allowed me to look back at all the content I’ve created over the last few years, and give you a one-stop shop for the best bits!
Well, maybe not ALL the best bits - because that would be a heck of long blog post :-)
(yes, I’m so modest!)
So I had to narrow it down. I’ve chosen these based on a few different reasons: firstly, not only based on how good I think they are, but on how much I believe they can move your photography forward. And second of all, I also took into account which posts were the most popular, most read and most commented on, so you can see the ones that resonated most with others, not just the ones I loved (they can sometimes be very different!)
Of course, I have tried to mix this up a bit between beginner and slightly more experienced photographers - because let’s face it, how helpful these are on moving you forward with your photography will depend on where you are now, so there are still some gems that will remain nestled in the blog pages for sure :-)
So if you missed one of these blog posts first time around, be sure to read them now, or you’ll kick yourself for missing them!
(Don’t have time to read them all now? I hear ya! Pin this for future reference instead then so you don’t forget)
Step by Step Guide to Planning Your Photography Goals
One of the things I hear time and time again is that many people feel overwhelmed with everything there is to learn in photography, and that they feel like they are running around in twenty different directions trying to learn it all. I remember EXACTLY how that felt, and I want to see if I can help you avoid it!
One thing that can REALLY help with overwhelm is creating photography goals.
Photography goals are just as they sound - they are the things you want to be able to do by a certain time point. You assess where you are right now, and what steps you need to take to reach your goal. This helps avoid overwhelm and that feeling of trying to learn everything at once, since you are going to following a plan, not randomly checking blog posts and hoping it somehow all comes together :)
You know the saying, a goal without a plan is just a wish, so in this post, we are going to get super focused on planning your photography goals for the next six months - looking at where you are now, where you want to go, and what steps you need to take to get you there.
My hope is that you follow the steps laid out, and put them into action so you can make next year your best photography year yet!
Grab your wine, we’re going in...
12 Types of Photography Projects and Creative Exercises You Can Do
We all know the feeling of being in a creative rut - those times when we don’t quite know what to shoot and feel a little lost, or else we are fed up photographing the same things, in the same place, and in the same way, and feel we need a bit of a kick up the rear end.
In both those cases a photography project or creative exercise can really help!
It sounds weird, but actually being able to shoot anything we want, at any time we want, is sometimes not great for feeling creative! It can lead to overwhelm and paralysis, and in those situations, actually LIMITING your options, or shooting to a strict, pre-defined theme, will actually let your creative juices flow a heck of a lot more freely.
That’s why I spent a lot of time last year coming up with not one, not two, but TWELVE different photography projects or creative exercises you can, one for each month of the year :-)
In this blog post, I’m listing all 12 of these projects you can do in the coming year: so you never run out of ideas again! They also range from long(ish) projects that will span the whole month, to shorter ones that will just take you half an hour, so it really doesn’t matter how much time you’ve got, you should find something for you here.
Photography Project: December Daily
Welcome back for your last creative challenge! If you are brand new to the blog, every month in 2017 I have posted a creative exercise or a mini photography project for you to do. This is the final one of the year, so I hope you can join me for it!
So, here it is: the final challenge of 2017.
If you have been following along since the start of the year, I hope you have enjoyed them all! We’ve had a great mix of challenges I think, definitely something for everyone.
Remember, you can do the vast majority of these challenges at ANY time, so I’ll be back next week with a post that rounds up ALL the different challenges and projects I have here on the blog, so that you can pin or bookmark it for easy reference for going forward.
But back to this final challenge, as we are going to take on a mini photography project for this final month: a December Daily.
Case Study: Auto to Awesome student Katie Lynn
One of the BEST things about teaching people photography is simply the impact it can have on your students, and the images they take.
Seriously, nothing makes me feel happier than when I get an email from a student saying how much more confident they feel after taking one of my courses, or how it is all coming together for them, or when I see a student on Facebook or Instagram and they are simply rocking their camera.
A few weeks ago, I was on Instagram and viewing some of the images posted by my students, when a few caught my eye. They were from the same photographer, Katie Lynn, and I was blown away by how amazing they were. I was even happier when I learnt that she shoots with what some would call “basic” gear - an entry level camera with a crop sensor and the kit lens - absolute, 100% proof that you honestly don’t need the most expensive gear to make great photographs!
So I asked Katie Lynn if she would do a case study for me, because I really wanted you to see the impact learning your camera can make on your images, and how it can improve your skills and images SO much more than getting the latest lens or a new set of actions.
I’ve done a few case studies on the blog (I’ve linked to them at the bottom of this post if you would like to read more!) as I love seeing the journeys of photographers, but this is the first time I have had a student do this so I am extra delighted to have Katie here!
Take it away, Katie….
Check Out These Reader Favourites
It's been quite a few years now since I made the switch from Aperture Priority Mode to shooting in Manual Mode, and it was one of the BEST things I ever did to improve my photography skills.
It was like a whole new world opened up to me, and I started TRULY understanding exposure, and in turn, getting the images that I wanted.
Of course, there was a lot to learn, and there are some things I wish I had known before I started!
So, here are 10 things about shooting in Manual Mode that you might just wish you knew…