2019-06-01 Outdoor Photographer

Full Manual Mode
While manual with Auto ISO meets
my needs most of the time, there are
situations where I prefer to take full
control of my exposure settings in
manual mode, ISO included.
One such scenario involves birds in flight.
When birds fly in front of a changing back-
ground, Auto ISO can cause inconsistent
exposure. For example, a puffin might take
off from calm teal water, fly over an area of
waves with bright reflections, then past a
dark island background as you pan to follow
it. In that situation, Auto ISO will result in
several different exposures of the subject.
The bird will be underexposed against bright
water and properly exposed or even over-
exposed with the island in the background,
depending on the bird’s tonal value and the
light. Instead of trying to hold an exposure

lock button (which is one solution), switch-

ing to full manual simplifies this equation.

You can expose for the bird in manual mode

to ensure a consistent exposure for the sub-

ject against the varying background.

I also use full manual mode in situations

where I have more time to plan, and when

I can meter off a consistent tonal value,

like a snow-covered landscape. I used this

technique to capture a red fox curled up,

sleeping on the snow on a recent winter trip

to Yellowstone National Park.

Finally, I use full manual mode for macro

and flash photography for birds where

I’m controlling—or at least partially con-

trolling—the light with strobes. Although

it’s possible to use Auto ISO with flash,

it introduces complexity and often gives

unpredictable results. If you have time to

stop and think, a consistent environment

and light, or when you use flash, take full

control of your camera with manual mode.

A Note On Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are providing us with

exciting and significant advantages that

will change how we shoot. Electronic

viewfinders (EVFs) can display a live

histogram and a real-time “what you see

is what you get” image as you’re shooting.

With that technology, even beginners can

easily shoot in complex lighting scenarios

without having to guess about exposure

compensation or learn complex meter-

ing techniques. Mirrorless cameras make

exposing difficult scenes—like my image of

giraffes against a magical sunrise—a breeze.

I’ve shot extensively with many of the

latest flagship mirrorless cameras, includ-

ing the Nikon Z 7 and Sony a9. I’m excited

PRO TIP: Full

manual mode is my

preferred choice for

situations involving

ŴDVKSKRWRJUDSK\

for birds, macro and

fast-moving subjects

with backgrounds that

change quickly.

Hummingbird photographed

with multi-flash, Costa Rica.

Take full control of your camera in

manual mode when photographing

with flash. You’ll produce more

consistent results.

Red fox in snow, Yellowstone. The

resting fox gave me time to assess

the subject, environment and light,

and meter off the snow, taking

total control of my exposure in full

manual mode.

48 Outdoor Photographer outdoorphotographer.com