Using manual mode demands
a thorough knowledge of exposure principles, which can be a hindrance when subjects are moving or opportunities are fleeting. Changing settings manually can be time-consuming, and can cause missed opportunities in fast-paced action or spontaneous moments. And in changeable light, relying on manual mode can yield poorly exposed images.
So when should you use manual? When the light isn’t going to change suddenly, and you have time to consider your settings. And, when you’re working with high-contrast scenes containing extreme light and shadow contrasts, such as landscapes with dark foregrounds and bright skies, manual mode allows you to balance exposure and preserve details in the highlights and shadows.
If you’re out in the middle of the day, or working under constant lighting in the studio, it’s more precise. There are creative applications too; mesmerising long-exposure imagery – including astrophotography – when you want to mix a delicate balance of ISO sensitivity, exposure time and aperture.
ON TOP OF THE WORLD Macro photographer Geraint Radford uses manual mode when focus stacking. “I can adjust the flash power to ensure the subject is well-lit
