Tutorial Sunny f16 rule

[Edmund]

I use the Sunny 16 rule all the time but here is a link I found that really explains it very well and simple to follow.
http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/3762805_fpgXr
By the way there are many more excellant TUTS on that site.
Eddie

[Diana]

Thanks for that Link, Eddie. I bookmarked it to read later.... looks like a lot of good information on photography and tutorials to boot!

Diana

[Not4wood]

Great Link.

Sometimes we get so caught up in this digital age we forget the basics. Nicely done.

[lexcell]

Wow, I think I just had a flashback! I used to use the sunny 16 rule all the time when my first camera did not have a meter...no comments on my age please.
Thanks for posting the link. It's good to understand the basics of light even if you shoot in automatic mode.

[Not4wood]

First I just want to say "Laurie" I dont know what your talking about, it was only yesterday I was using my Argus C3 fully manual camera

Now, I just came from an interesting thread over at PhotoCamel. The Original Question was about using a Digital SLR only in <P> Program Mode.

Question Here:

Posted by 00silvergt over at PhotoCamel

If you bought a DSLR only to always shoot in AUTO or Program Exposure (P) are you wasting the purchase of a DSLR. To go further, the reason for the question is that I have some friends so only shoot in P or Auto, that is if they shoot with their DSLR at all, since many of them complain about the weight, but chose to buy a DSLR as a status symbol. I'm hoping someone here would give a valid reason to always shoot in P or Auto. Some in the earlier threads have already given some reasonable justifications which I can see. I, personally still won't always shoot in P or auto, there is not enough control, leaving me at the hands of the microprocessor inside that camera to make the decisions. I like to believe I am smarter and can make a better judgment call than the microprocessor, in my case, by the way runs with software that is based off DOS and Windows!

[lexcell]

IMHO, I don't care for P or fully auto. I agree with the person who wrote the post...you loose control when you shoot in P mode. I like to have the option to determine which aperture to select so I can control depth of field and/or shutter speed. The camera does not know what effect I am trying to achieve. It does a pretty good job of averaging the light, the exposure and giving me a good overall average photograph but, I want much more than average in my images!

[TonyW]

Laurie: You're right of course but I do object to one thing and that's putting P mode in the same category as Auto. I use P mode most of the time as it seems to me that used intelligently it gives you more flexibility than A or S modes and can also be used as an M mode. Maybe it's just the way I shoot, the layout of the controls on my D80 and what settings show in the viewfinder but I find it easier to shoot in P mode and twirl the command dial to change the relative aperture/shutter speeds to get what I want in terms of depth of field or stop action. I can also adjust the ISO and Exposure Compensation without taking my eye off the viewfinder. That would seem to give me everything that A, S or M would give me. Just about the only time I wouldn't use that mode is when using Flash because of the way it works with flash. I guess at the end of the day though there is no right or wrong - it's whatever works for each individual photographer and camera.

Tony

[Chuck S.]

Tony, I'm in the same camp as you: P mode can be both a "fast and safe" approach if in a hurry and a "thoughtful" mode if you want to take the time to change multiple variables while maintaining a reasonable EV. I don't believe I can tweak as many controls while looking through the viewfinder as you do - maybe I need a third hand!

[lexcell]

Tony & Chuck,
You are correct about the ability to override the P mode however, most people don't do what you do and use it fully automatically. It's a good place to start and yes, you do have overrides when in P mode that you don't have in the picture modes. Bottom line is to shoot in the mode that best suits your style of shooting. If P works for you then that is themode you should use.

[Chuck S.]

Good morning, Laurie:

I'm trying to use Manual more often now, but I find I have to overcome the tendency to "point and shoot" when I spot something I want to grab quickly. Guess my brain just won't process the information in the viewfinder fast enough to tell my fingers I need to make some adjustments before pressing that shutter.....