| Choosing and using the four main
shooting modes. The four main shooting modes of most EOS models are Manual, Aperture-priority AE (Av), Shutter-priority AE (Tv) and Program AE. Depth AE is rarely use by many (not available in the EOS-1N RS) while the Programmed Image Control (PIC) modes are not found in the EOS-1 series and EOS-3 models. As each of these four main shooting modes has been covered separately in previous issues, the focus this time around is not when to use which one of them but more on why you need to use them specifically for the assignments required. For a start, take the Manual exposure mode. This mode can already be considered as outdated by many since very few people are using it anymore, especially when you are into the EOS System. True, if you plan to major in photography after finishing high school, knowing how to use Manual exposure mode with your 35mm SLR camera (of any make) is a pre-requisite even if it is less relevant in the real world. As there is still a niche market out there for manual focus 35mm SLR cameras, the inclusion of the Manual exposure mode in today's modern AF types is still a must as there is bound to be a minority that still prefers to set everything manually despite the advance in photo-shooting automations. Personally, I have rarely used any of my EOS-1 series models in Manual exposure mode and one of those times that I did was during my visit to the PMA 1997 Show held at New Orleans with the EOS-1N. Lighting conditions were pretty tricky outdoors as well as indoors and I decided to experiment a little with Manual exposure shooting. Of course, using Tv, Av or Program AE mode with the camera's Quick Control Dial to dial in exposure compensation whenever it is required would have been faster and easier than Manual.
Instead of using the camera's 16-zone Evaluative metering, I opted for Spot - in this way, I could emulate the style of a multi-spot metering system by comparing the differences in the exposure values of both highlights and shadows, taking into consideration the loaded film's latitude and setting the shutter speeds and aperture accordingly. The rule of setting exposure when using color transparency film is to meter on the highlights and open up one stop. This should lighten up the shadows while not overexposing the details in the highlights. If the lighting is too complicated, a half-stop may be more than enough. The above four photos were shot via this self-experiment "multi-spot metering". << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
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