A few words about using your camera manually. Remember, we are not talking about manual focus.

The figurines on your mode dial are all automatic modes. I think we understand that.

Maybe camera manufacturers are adding to the confusion. Some camera manuals call the P (Program) TV/S (Shutter priority) AV/A (Aperture priority) M (Manual) creative modes, or something like that. They are NOT creative. All of these except M are AUTOMATIC MODES. The camera operates AUTOMATICALLY.

Program- camera sets both the shutter and aperture.

TV/S- Shutter Priority- you set the shutter speed, the camera sets the aperture.

AV/A- Aperture Priority- you set the aperture, the camera sets the shutter speed.

I have had an increasing amount of students do the following, thinking they are using the camera manually. (DO NOT DO THIS). Set the Mode dial to M. Then set the Mode dial to TV/S and set the shutter speed, then set the Mode dial to AV/A and set the aperture, then shoot. THIS IS NOT SHOOTING IN MANUAL!! Repeat DO NOT DO THIS. Use Manual the way it is described below.

This is how most cameras operate in the Manual mode. Set the mode dial to M. Look through the viewfinder. Press the shutter release button halfway, to activate the light meter. Turn the command dial with your forefinger or thumb. That changes the shutter speed. Press and hold the aperture button while turning the same dial. That changes the aperture. There is a graph like area where you want all the green bars to disappear or go to the middle. When that happens you have the correct shutter speed and aperture combination.

Don’t forget to use your Gray Card.