To AUTO or not to AUTO: The pros and cons of automatic camera settings
March 1, 2023
Photography and videography have become more accessible than ever before, thanks to advancements in technology. The increasing popularity of smartphones and mirrorless cameras has made it possible for everyone to capture high-quality images and videos.
While these cameras come with automatic settings that make it easy to take photos and videos without much technical knowledge, there are pros and cons to using automatic settings. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using automatic settings on a camera.
Pros of Using Automatic Settings
Ease of use: The most significant advantage of using automatic settings is the convenience it offers. With automatic settings, you can take pictures and videos without worrying about adjusting settings like exposure, shutter speed, and ISO. This makes it easier for beginners to get started with photography and videography.
Faster Shooting: With automatic settings, the camera can adjust its settings quickly, making it ideal for situations where you need to take photos or videos quickly, such as at sporting events or concerts.
Consistent results: Automatic settings ensure that every photo and video taken is of the same quality. This can be useful when taking a series of photos or videos that need to be consistent, such as in product photography.
Cons of Using Automatic Settings
Lack of Creative Control: The biggest disadvantage of using automatic settings is the lack of creative control. The camera's automatic settings are designed to capture images and videos with average settings, which may not always be ideal for the desired outcome. Using manual settings allows photographers and videographers to take more creative control over their images and videos.
Inaccurate results: Automatic settings are not always accurate, especially in challenging lighting situations. The camera's automatic exposure metering may not always correctly adjust the exposure, resulting in overexposed or underexposed images or videos.
Limited flexibility: Automatic settings limit the flexibility to adjust the settings according to the photographer's or videographer's needs. This can be problematic when shooting in challenging lighting conditions or when trying to achieve a specific effect.
Camera auto settings to avoid
In this video, I discuss some of the drawbacks of relying too much on auto settings. Overall, "Camera auto settings to avoid" is a helpful guide for beginners and intermediate-level sports videographers who want to understand the benefits and limitations of using auto settings on their cameras.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using automatic settings on a camera offers ease of use, faster shooting, and consistent results, making it ideal for beginners and situations where speed is critical. However, automatic settings limit the creative control and flexibility, resulting in inaccurate results in challenging lighting conditions. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between using automatic settings and manual adjustments to achieve the desired results. By understanding the pros and cons of using automatic settings, photographers and videographers can make informed decisions about when to use automatic settings and when to make manual adjustments to achieve better results.
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by Edris Toussaint - Beyond the Game founder
