Real Photographers Only Shoot in Manual Mode?

TTL Flash control. Av Mode.

I recently received a question from a reader asking about some advice I give in 100% Reliable Flash Photography.  In the sections covering outdoor work, I suggest Aperture Priority Mode (Av) for most shooting situations.  He wondered if I always shoot that way, my being a professional and all, since he’s read that “real photographers only shoot in Manual Mode.”  I would assume that “real” in this case implies a legitimacy the rest of us don’t enjoy.  But rather than get into a philosophical discussion about what constitutes a “real” photographer, I am going to address the appropriateness of Manual vs. other camera modes.

I base my choice of camera settings on the situation. For example, in a controlled environment using off-camera, adjustable lighting like flash units or portable studio lighting, Manual mode would be my choice. A setup like this dictates a static shooting situation in which the light source’s distance to the subject stays the same, and the background ambient is constant, perspective-wise.  Simply put, once you set your aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc., your settings are better off remaining constant in these situations; your camera won’t automatically make adjustments and throw off your foreground flash-illuminated exposure.

I see no reason, however, with daytime outdoor event photography (using on-camera flash) to be shot in manual mode. In fluid shooting environments exposure adjustments would have to be made continuously in full manual mode, adding an unnecessary level of complexity. If a photographer is worried that not going fully manual in these situations isn’t professional enough, he should remember that Av mode merely allows him to use the camera’s ability to automatically adjust shutter speed while he controls aperture, ISO, and virtually everything else he would in Manual. And, even shutter speed is somewhat  adjustable via the exposure compensation control. And as long as we’re going there, a quick switch over to the “M” mode is right at your fingertips should it be more suitable for a particular set of shots. So, where’s the dilemma?

I would imagine manual purists would also choose to avoid TTL technology, since it allows the flash and camera to work together to determine a proper, automatic, flash output. How incredibly limiting that would be when using on-camera flash! But hey, if they want to only shoot manual so they can call themselves “real,” that’s their choice. A professional photographer should be responsible enough to himself, and especially to his clients to use the camera settings that will give him the best and most consistent results.

Readers should note that I suggest shooting in Manual mode using TTL flash control, for indoor (or outdoors at night) on-camera flash photography.  Reasons for that include maintaining a constant aperture and ISO while allowing the photographer to completely control and “ride” the shutter speed for a good balance of ambient to flash.  This is explained (and simplified) in good detail in 100% Reliable Flash Photography.

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