THE MAGIC OF MANUAL

Take back control and capture your best-ever photos: Scenics Portraits Macro And more!

Step away from Auto and semi-automatic modes to take back total control of your exposures. Dan Mold shows you how to get the best from Manual mode

One of the greatest features of modern digital cameras is their creative modes, namely the semi-automatic Aperture Priority (A or Av on a camera’s mode dial) and Shutter Priority (S or Tv) modes. These are great for most situations, as you can take control of some of the exposure, while the camera takes care of the rest to produce a well-exposed shot. This can be great when you’re starting out as it allows you to concentrate on focusing and composition, but your camera also features a Manual mode (M) that allows you to take full control of your settings.

But many photographers have never experimented that much with Manual, perhaps finding it too daunting to attempt, or too difficult to get good results from. This is such a shame: Manual is a really powerful mode that you really should get to grips with. It’s essential for certain situations and will help you leave nothing to chance with the art you’re creating – after all, modern cameras are great, but they can’t read your mind.

Over the course of this feature, I’ve put together some top tips covering situations where you should use Manual mode, plus how to get the best results by experimenting with fundamental exposure settings. I’ll also offer some advice on how to change the look of your images with skills like focusing or adjusting the white balance.

Read on to see how it’s all done, and you’ll be shooting like a professional in no time!