Manual Mode
Manual mode requires the photographer to make all the decisions that determine an image’s exposure, as opposed to an automatic or semi-automatic mode that makes at least some of the choices for the photographer. Manual exposure gives a photographer the maximum amount of control.
When you are using Manual Exposure you are in complete control of the primary camera settings, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. There are three reasons to shoot in manual mode:
1.Take creative control
2.Deal with tricky lighting situations
3.Get consistent exposures. If the light remains the same, once you correctly set a manual exposure, it is correct for all subjects in that light regardless of their tonality.
How to get the correct Exposure in Manual Mode
When your camera is in the Manual mode you are responsible for setting the correct exposure settings. Your camera has a built in light meter to help you. Locate the exposure compensation scale on the LCD or in the viewfinder of your camera. This scale becomes your tool to control exposure in the manual mode. As you adjust the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed you will notice the marker on the scale showing you either plus (over exposed) or minus (under exposed). If you adjust the camera settings until the scale reads ‘zero’ that is the correct exposure as determined by the camera.
The Lunar 11 “Rule”
A good example of when to use the Manual mode is for taking a photograph of the moon. If you have ever tried to do this with the camera in Auto you most likely ended up with a photo of a white featureless orb in a murky grey sky. This is because the camera auto settings are averaging the exposure between the black sky and very bright moon. In order to render the image with detail in the moons surface and the sky to remain black it is necessary to override the camera auto settings. To get a properly exposed photograph of a full moon on a dark night we use a well known formula called the Lunar 11 rule. With the camera in the manual mode set the ISO to 100, the shutter speed to 1/100th second and the aperture to f/11. This should result in an image with detail of the moons surface. Some adjustments to the exposure may be necessary if there is atmospheric or light pollution. IE: If the moon is still too bright change the shutter speed to 1/200th second or the aperture to f/16. Conversely if the moon is too dark try opening the aperture to f/8 or set the ISO to 200.
You will learn more about the camera light meter in the Advanced Camera Settings module.