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Exposure & Shooting Priority modes for wildlife


13 years 2 months ago #27177 by Riggs
The author of a book I read mentions that he shoots in manual mode exclusively and never shoots in shutter or aperture priority mode. I am now wondering if this is a habit I need to change as I always shoot wildlife in shutter or aperture priority modes.

1. Do you use manual exposure or (shutter & aperture priority) when shoot wildlife and birds?
2. If you do shoot manual, how does one prepare their exposure for fast moving objects (such as a flying bird or a mammal running)? Do you first set your exposure on a middle tone and then just fine tune it based on the animal's color?
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13 years 2 months ago #27189 by Baydream
Sounds like a workshop I attended with Bill and Linda Lane. They stated that ONLY manual mode should be used and ALWAYS on a tripod.
I have found the aperture and shutter priority help assure you get a decent shot unless you have a lot of time and the wildlife is inactive. When shooting fast moving critters, trying to set multiple settings will get you a lot of shots of empty sky. I just don't buy it.
Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork
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13 years 2 months ago #27279 by effron
I agree. Sometimes I shoot manual, but say when I'm birding, I use aperture priority 99% of the time.
Why so serious?
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13 years 2 months ago #27348 by Yasko
Ditto. I mostly shoot Aperature priority for the birds. It exposes close enough to the mark that exposure compensations with a few flicks of that nice Canon thumb wheel is quick enough should I need it. Manual mode can sometimes start you so completely off the correct exposure, that you'd have to fiddle around a lot more and miss your bird shots, especially on a partly cloudy day when the sun peeks in and out often.

So is this author saying he can pan with a sparrow, AND pay close attention to his digital exposure readout in the viewfinder? pfffft :whistle:
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13 years 2 months ago - 13 years 2 months ago #27385 by McBeth Photography



I shot in A mode here but I don't think it really mattered! Lol!
It is what it is.
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13 years 2 months ago #27402 by bhowdy
I shoot almost 100% in manual mode, especially for birds.
Bob Howdeshell

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera" ~ Lewis Hine
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13 years 2 months ago #27474 by Joves

bhowdy wrote: I shoot almost 100% in manual mode, especially for birds.


I do as well. I fond that Apreture Mode atleast on my Nikon over exposes on bright days and will under expose in low light and crappy light days. I guess there is Exposure Comp for that but I guess Im too old fashioned and never use it. If it is bright I set my shutter to 125-250 then set the ISO then I adjust the aperture as needed to get the shot. This way I have only one setting to fool with. On cloudier days I bump up the ISO and set the shutter to 250+ then use the aperture to fine tune. It works for me.
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13 years 2 months ago #27513 by McBeth Photography

I use the Aperature priority mode for wildlife, and yes it isn't perfect and I have to use exposure compensation a lot. Also gives a chance to use the Exposure Lock button, takes a little practice but one can get some great shots. Don't get me wrong, I shoot in Manual a lot, but, birds are pretty fast and some of the best shot to be had are just as they're taking off....not so easy in Manual mode.
It is what it is.
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