Outdoor Photography How To

There's quite a mystique about shooting in Manual mode, and if this works for you there's no reason to stop. But as you'll see in the video below, this "advanced" approach isn't always the most efficient way to shoot in the field.

Instructor Are Ole is an experienced Norwegian pro who posts weekly tutorials featuring straightforward tips, techniques, and inspiration designed to help unleash your creativity. In today's four-minute episode he explains why "Aperture Priority is my go-to mode for capturing dynamic scenes without wasting time."

His notion is that switching the camera's mode dial to "A" (or "AV) simplifies the shooting process while maintaining correct exposure. He also insists that this technique enables you to quickly adapt when faster shutter speeds are required for certain situations, or when lighting changes rapidly due to passing clouds.

The overarching point is that by using Aperture Priority you have complete control over depth of field while the camera handles the rest—allowing you to concentrate on framing up a scene for maximum impact. He further insists that what you'll learn today is "a game changer" for beginners and Manual mode advocates alike.

Ole briefly discusses several drawbacks to Manual mode, and then he describes his typical approach to landscape photography which goes like this: He keeps ISO low and lets the camera set shutter speed, while manipulating his f/stop in a way that delivers the zone of focus he desires for the specific scene at hand.

As he says, "This helps me keep my photos clean and noise-free"—especially when his camera is mounted atop a sturdy tripod. In some situations he wants the entire scene to appear critically sharp, while other times selective focus is the name of the game—like when isolating a key element against a softer background with pleasing blur and no distractions.

So how does he increase the shutter speed to deal with birds in flight or other fast-moving subjects? No, he doesn't switch to Manual mode or Shutter Priority; rather, he does so by gradually modifying the ISO setting until it provides the exact shutter speed he wants.

The goal is to "fiddle as little as possible with the settings so you can react quickly to changing light and other things happening around you." There's a bit more to taking advantage of Aperture Priority mode and Ole pulls up a few images to demonstrate the finer points of this effective technique.

Be sure to pay a visit to Ole's instruction YouTube channel, where you'll find more helpful lessons that will elevate you outdoor photography.

And don't miss the earlier tutorial we featured with another accomplished pro who demonstrates a simple technique for eliminating motion blur in photographs that are unsharp.