Very encouraging video so thank you for putting the message out there. I have and love my Fuji XT-2 and have tried fully manual but found I was missing shots as I fiddled with various settings so have switched to P mode after watching this video; as I am at the moment on holiday in Gloucestershire I thought I would give it a go and I have found it liberating and so much less of a worry to get it right. Looks like P mode may be my default from now on!
I used to shoot only in manual but I was missing shots all the time because I was getting the settings right. One day I decided to shoot in "P mode" and never turned back now I exclusively shoot in P or aperture priority.
Your wedding photography looks very rewarding. To be invited in and accepted to move among people so freely in a private situation is such a opportunity.
Not everythink is black or white. You can use P mode in many types of photography. You can use it whenever the conditions are ok for that. Buy many times you'd want to achieve certain look controlling your depth of field, or maybe you need to lock your shutter speed for many reasons. You're not a better photographer because you shoot only in manual (maybe you're just stubborn and in need of formation), but in order to be a better photographer, you should know how your camera works in any mode, and use the better suited mode for each situation, in order to save time and be prepared to capture that moment. Personally, i use primarily aperture priority (with manual iso) in most situations. That way i'm letting the camera to decide only over the shutter speed. In tricky light conditions, or for specific purposes (long exposure, controlling flash and ambient...) i shoot in manual mode
Oh I’m such a Mullins fan-boy. Technique and gear are nothing. Your images and the moments you capture are what your clients pay for. An inspirational video, thanks Kevin, I will try harder at next saturdays wedding to worry less about what I’m doing and just be in those moments.
Ok, go shoot without camera. Let's see how gear is nothing. Go shoot sports in low light with a slow lens. Let's see how gear is nothing. Let's see how your clients will pay for the blurry out of focus mess you bring them. How hard is to understand, that skill matters, but gear matters too? And a lot of skill is in choosing right gear for the job.
Hi Kev, Love your work. Cameras these days are more than capable of producing quality images in P mode. A wedding photographer I second shot for before this virus said to me “camera companies spend millions on the functions of these cameras so why not use it to your advantage and be in the moment, rather than spend your time messing with settings and missing everything around you”
Well said! Thanks for sharing! I'm generally an aperture-priority shooter; maybe because I'm near-sighted and I always see everything in focus. So I appreciate seeing separation of the subject at large apertures (mind you, as one aspect of the composition, not all). But you've given a great challenge to shoot in P mode! Can't wait try that out.
Such common sense, with a gentle delivery. This was very freeing for me. I too am an observer of moments and love it. But I bought into the manual-mentality for a long while. Thank you for letting me get back to my roots when photography was a pleasure and fun, not a technical exercise. Love your channel.
As you said Kevin...camera technology is so amazing these days and I love shooting in P made a lot of the time. Helps me concentrate more on the image in certain situations. Thank you for sharing 👍
Kevin: I would like to respond to the issue of "Professional" photographer. Over my many years of photographing events I have been asked (or it has been assumed) as to whether I am a Professional photographer. I am not. I am a serious, knowledgeable photographer who happens to like and use high end gear (I have used Nikon gear since 1959 and more recently have been transitioning to Fujifilm). My definition of "Professional" is that your activity generates your principle source of income. Before retirement I was a Professional Biologist. Regarding the P mode, I have rarely used it, almost always using A or S mode depending on circumstances, but I can appreciate your argument in favour of P mode. As always, enjoying your perspective. Cheers.
Bravo Kevin! Here’s to the ever useful “Professional” mode, thanks for this tremendous vid. and I must say that your delivery was perhaps the most polished and confident that I’ve seen to date, congratulations . BTW, love the podcast Best/ Randy
Excellent, as usual! Great video. The most important is the result, the storytelling. PASM, it does not matter. And simplifying is important to concentrate on the subject
Thanks for this video, very inspiring. Joe McNally said something like: using a modern camera in manual mode is like driving a sports car in 2 gear all the time. Personally I use manual all the time using my beloved Fuji X100T, but that is due to technicalities about aperture-dans when going into auto. I'm going to give P a chance on my DSLR.
No matter which episode of yours, I love starting my Saturday morning with this channel. A cup of coffee is overrated. Your words are inspiring, and they never leave anyone behind.
Ah! Wise words, Kevin. You are, of course, quite right: I've missed many moments due to fiddling with my settings. It's onto P mode with my Fuji cameras. Thanks for this eye-opening video. Keep up the good work, I've learnt so much from you.
Thank you, Kevin! As a beginner, I appreciate a professional saying this to help me on my journey without feeling inferior. There is nothing worse than wanting to capture a moment and the end result comes out looking horrible because I did not know how to set up my camera! "P" is your friend! Sean
Seems to be to much snobbery in photography, if you don't use manual you don't know what doing. I use anything to get the shot, manual if I got the time or aperture priority for faster light changing. Nothing wrong if you see something you want to catch quick stick it straight onto program. Thanks for the upload Kevin and if I could shoot images like yours I would keep it on program all the time.
No it is bullshiting about snoberry. There is something in between P and M. You know that? A and T. And most professionals have it there. Why? Because they know that they want. Othes have P to diss those snobbery professionals and their modes.
Everytime I see your work I struggle not to cry, always full of emotions, humanity and happiness. Who cares about M, P, Av, Tv or anything, when such amazing work is delivered? As a Wedding photographer myself you are one of my biggest inspiration and motivation to go on when I don't see "light" in my work. Be a good photographer is reductive, you are an amazing human being, that's why you are a great storyteller.
Well done Kevin thank god there are still photographers in this world just concerned about getting the image. I know iPhone users that are excellent but just don't know it because they think you need to know all about gear and settings.
Brilliant, fantastic spot on vid / info!! love the song at the end - do you have the name of the artist & song (i saw the link to the music app) I am pretty much in manual or aperture mode but not because i think it “more professional” 🙄😅 🤦🏻♀️ I will surely give ‘P’ a fair try out especially for precisely what you said - “to be a better observer” and let the mode work itself as designed. thanks again Kevin for the wonderful vids and being source of great info & inspiration!! 🙏🏼💕
I love P mode and have been using it for many many years. Just point and shoot to capture the moment. PLUS no one can tell by looking at the images can they? 😂😂😂👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
I shoot with a Fujifilm x100t and love it. ! I use program mode all the time for this exact reason. Set it and forget it. Their are tons of times that I've missed shots while I was in this mode ( but that's going to happen) when I'm not using program mode I'm shooting in hyperfocal distance full Manual but this also gives me the same type of forget all the technical things and just shoot. A recommendation for beginners is you need to practice practice practice. Learn your camera and it's capabilities.
Ok, that’s not only the best photography TH-cam video I’ve seen, it’s perhaps the best TH-cam video period. “P” mode may just be able to unleash our eye and as you say unshackle us from the camera settings. It’s all about the moment in making it indelible. It’s not about the settings or technique. I do think it’s time for me to let my $1200 X100F show me it’s stuff in “P” mode! Thanks for the brilliant post.
Your videos are great and help a lot, will start listening to the weekly podcasts 👍. As a newcomer to photography I decided to start in P mode and concentrate on improving my composition skills. I review the settings on my pictures as part of my learning curve and as I get more confident I’m starting to incorporate a bit more manual operation when the situation allows. I love the dial operation of Fuji, seems easier to me. Didn’t realise there was such a snobbish side to photography, do what works for you and maximises your enjoyment and satisfaction.
Set iso and shutter on auto but assign limits such as don’t go beyond 1600 and minimum shutter at 500\second, control aperture on lens(fujifilm) and change back dial to exposure compensation instead of twisting dial....... I’m happy as a clam
That is dialing your manual setting and locking them in program mode! U still have to know the triangle settings! Because u are a pro! The problem is when someone new just pick up a camera and don't understand the camera and triangle settings and think that is all they need is the P Mode...now add flash...u lost😂
As you learn to shoot in manual mode it gives you practice to know what's required in a shot, and the desired look you like, so that you can "look over the shoulder" of your camera when it is in P-mode and it picks the shutter speed, aperture, ISO , then you can choose to accept that or override it. Agreed, the moment is the ultimate arbiter, and you ,as the photographer ,have to capture that moment, that ever so fleeting thing.
I use the little Nikon 1J5 for my street photography in Auto mode and the results are great. You are right to say that I can concentrate on the image I want and react with out thinking about manual settings. Thank you for your point of view, I'm going to give P mode a go this year with my weddings.
Thanks. I always wondered what the difference in P mode vs. auto. While playing around I found in P mode I can adjust any setting except A or S. It's great.
Thanks for posting a video on 'P' MODE - excellent video tutorial! I've been shooting on P mode for yrs and it's good to have all the gismos on your camera when you need it but I've been getting great images quickly while others are still struggling to set their exposures - the cameras today are awesome they allow you to focus on your subject so that you can capture that decisive moment - the camera is only a tool - it's what you see and capture with a blink of an eye that moment will pass you by - it's about having fun and enjoying your hobby or professional photography. By the way Kevin I've shot videos in this mode as well &it works great! Love your video - keep posting awesome tutorials for the newbies! 😎 👍
Let's just say you're shooting a Wedding with the Bride near a bright window in manual mode. That fantastic shot you just acquired of the Bride (with a perfect exposure) is in the bag. Then the Bride's Father enters the room and gets emotional at seeing his daughter. The manual exposure you've locked into the camera for the bright scene is now not appropriate at all and chances are you are going to either miss the shot or pray the dynamic range of your camera will be enable you to recover maybe some of the scene in post...Wedding Photography happens quickly, this is not a time for manual mode.
My canon g7x is always on P mode and NOT auto, this is because I use flash 90% of the time to fill in, and in auto the flash wont fire all the time, where as with P mode you can set the flash to fire all the time. I use A on my Fuji cameras when I'm taking photos, but from time to time I need to darken the sky and add fill flash "hot shoe set as well" OMG I'm a bad photographer lol Been a keen amateur starting with a Zenith E in about 1976, so know all about photography but hey cameras are a tool to help,so use whatever setting helps you,I mean who nowadays uses a manual drill, no one, we use a cordless because it makes our life easier Great video as usual,thanks for sharing Oh and the photo of cricket is actually bowling 🙄👍🤣🤣🤣
lol - yes, of course, I knew it was bowls but for some reason when I typed my transcription I typed in cricket absentmindedly. Probably because I was talking about cricket in my last blog post.
@@kevin_mullins no reply needed. I do like your style of photography, love your wedding pics, I still cant get my head around noise "grain" in photos, my head is still using fuji asa 100, think 21 din lol,,I know I can push my X100F and XT3 past 200 iso, but just never do. Going to a wedding in June and I'm determined to use NO Flash, I'm a guest so got nothing to lose. Keep on producing your TH-cam content as it's very good
Hey Mr Mullins thanks for all your contributions. You are one of those unique TH-cam people who manages to inform in an engaging way without condescending to your audience. I hate to point this out but... not a cricket match... those people are engaging in the ancient game of Bowles... just saying.. I know it seems petty but my granny would have been very upset..
Thanks for another great video, 45 years ago I shot weddings on Kodak colour film for a local studio, at that time there was no P mode it was a Nikon camera and fill in flash. Like your self I now shoot most of my photos in P mode on a second hand X70 which you recommend in one of your videos. Keep the videos coming always look forward to watching them.
Playing football in the rain, is one of the greatest most fulfilling experiences of the beautiful game... I love your images by the way; and I'm not even into wedding photography. Keep on P-ing maaaan, you're doing good…
I'll be shooing in P mode this week to test it out. I always shoot in AV mode except when I'm shooting with flash. Never tried P mode on my X-T2. Thanks for the video.
Excellent video, i think you are right P mode or fully automatic mode i have felt was frowned on by others with.'proper cameras', and looked down if you use P mode you are right of course it all about the image that you are seeing not about the mechanics, as you often lose the image trying to capture the right combination of shutter speed - aperture and ISO setting - very liberating video thank you
My version of P-mode is set my X100F aperture to f/8 for walk around shooting in daylight...just in case the camera does something I'm not happy with, but yes agree with you Kevin. I usually leave everything to the camera once Auto ISO limits are set.
Well said Mr Mullins - salutes the "P" mode - but.....you rugger playing Welshman - that's typical English County bowls at 06:24 not English cricket match LoL Your videos are more educational every time I see them and it's always good to see you on the screen - keep on keeping on :) Phil
Thanks, Phil. And yes, I know it's bowling. For some reason when I was typing the script I just typed cricket. Wales did have a world champion bowls player, remember :-)
@@kevin_mullins Just teasing as ever! Your TH-cam channel is favourite viewing here (in Wales too) and the images by Martin Parr are timeless classics. Your explanation of P mode is so sensible and well said too - look for the moment and not at the camera. Great piece again.
The Fujifilm X-E3 has an auto-setting. I am an old Nikon F5 and D2X guy, and I often worked with the camera on P. To be able to focus on the scene and NOT on the camera is just great.
Regardless of 'professional' I want full control of my aperture when I do portrets or want bokeh. Doing landscape I want my wide prime at f8 or f11. Not at 2.8 because the camera wants so. So A and M mode for me!
A terrific reminder about being a better observer. I thank you for that. Regarding using Program mode (Canon) for weddings - would you prefer to leave ISO to "auto IS0) or do you adjust using program shift or just let the camera technology handle the heavy work? Would you use P mode with on camera flash? Great video, well worth subscribing to. Well done!
Thanks for this video. I am sharing it with a couple of new photographers I know. My self I shoot aperture priority because that's what works for me. However I often mentor new photographers and especially for very brand new photographers I encourage them to use full automatic. I liken it to driving a car. If you are just learning to drive a car you cant expect to hop in a formula 1 car and win a race. I believe new photograhers should concentrate on their vision. I do encourage them to learn all aspects of the technical. But in an critical moment its more important to get then shot than miss the shot because of fiddling with settings.
I heard you say this on the podcast and it started me thinking. When I was a Canon shooter I didn't use P mode because it would choose too low a shutter speed often enough to annoy me (ie, speed blurred images I really wanted sharp) so never used it in situations where I needed to get the shot. Sure, they advertised that the P mode would look at the focal length you were using and be smart about setting shutter speed high enough but it just didn't work well enough for me. Fast forward to my discovery of FujiX (started with the X100S). With Fuji (and now some others like Canon), you can setup auto-ISO so it will try its best to maintain a minimum shutter speed. Once I have that set then it's P mode but driven by my requirements of max ISO and minimum shutter speed. Couple that with the exposure compensation set to C (on my X-T3), you can fine tune exposure with the front command dial quickly. Kevin, I wonder if you had recommendations about minimum shutter speed for wedding or street shooters or do you now just use auto there as well.
Weddings are better shot mainly in P, as you said, split seconds make all the difference. Another version is shooting in burst mode, lots say it's taking away the decisive moment (whick was incorrectly translated so I have heard). For the confetti moment there is always too much going on to be decisive, and to shoot 10 to 20 frames is safer in all respects, and safer is the name of the game when your being paid. Although I used to nearly be able to keep up with motordrives manually back in the day, a sore thumb was the result usually. At 2 or 3 frames a second it wasn't that hard. Changing films and not being ready to shoot was more of a problem to be honest. Excellent video. Wish you could do more podcasts as they keep me company when I am working alone. They could be longer too. Auto ISO is a godsend too as long as the correct limits are programmed in. Might as well go back to shooting on 4x5 if you want to waste time with settings.
Yes, agree about burst mode though I really only use that for the confetti and the recessional. And yes, HCB "Decisive Moment" is a translation of the book cover, which is not (according to Magnum) a true translation.
Great video, I agree capturing the moment is vastly more important than what mode you shoot in. However, as a professional, I think you do need to know how to shoot in all modes and the camera become the extension of your vision. There will be cases where a full manual shot will be necessary to capture the story you want to tell....for example you may want to convey a sense of motion through shutter speed control.
This is what most photographer need to here, specially does that think otherwise. We are stamping time and the moment is what matters not your settings. Your client will never interview you on your camera settings or mode. All they care is that you captured their story. One question, I use flash a lot, will give p try. I have being burned by auto ISO many times.
That felt a bit like Kung Fu, with the Master telling grasshopper that he will find the truth where he started... in P mode. 😜 Great vid, and I’m up for a wee blast of Auto on my next daylight event.
JPG or RAW i know a pro shooter he is using gfx 50r and 100r and he says his fuji gfx camera delivers so nice JPG that he often is giving his clients JPG a 70mg JPG (102mp) JPG from fuji gfx 100 is amazing
Your photos are beyond just “professional”, they are exceptional and unique. I find wedding, portrait, landscape photography nowadays to be commonly generic, having that same Canon color look and way too much photoshop. It is wonderful to see perfection within the imperfections. You sir are a true master of the craft.
First, if you are getting paid for your photographic work you are a professional. Simple as that. Secondly, people confuse P mode for Auto mode. The important difference (at least on my Canon cameras) is that Auto is JPEG only and cannot be overridden. In P mode, one can change the setting on the fly if needed. So I often use P mode when "grab"shooting and adjust if necessary, or i manual, A, or S priority depending upon the situation. The beauty of these cameras is that one can do it all as desired.
Well Kevin, very well known wedding photographer from the USA Joe Buissink is also preaching about P-mode. You've mentioned him at 9:00 *There are things like an auto-ISO and rules for shutter speed nowadays* Things that are barely exist when Joe Buissink had started his career. A camera is a pretty much dumb thing. I'd rather set a DOF by my own, subject matter, rather than let my camera to decide it over me. There are plenty of scenes over a wedding day when shooting M-mode will give you a way more constant result and less time in front of a computer in Lightroom later on. While shooting P will always force your camera to turn blacks and whites to a middle gray, since it doesn't know what black and white are!
Yup, as I said - some people will prefer manual and will be just as quick at it as someone who shoots in P mode. That said, the cameras definitely aren't dumb. They are far quicker at identify a good exposure than me and from my conversations with camera designers and engineers, around 2/3rds of the cost of the camera you invest in is in it's processing and computational ability,
I'm on a side of those who teach people to know your equipment to the limit rather then switching to P. I bet the one week of extensive practice with sunny 16 rule will makes anyone to be good in setting exposure right in any lighting situation. That means a constant result ( exposure ) over a sequence. This is exactly what differentiate amature from a pro. The constant exposure over a sequence is a pro marker for me and not only. You may ask any well-known photographers but out of wedding industry. Funny part is that people switching to Fuji X because of its size and manual dials. Those were the main, huge, sales points of the system paired to well-known Fuji's colors. But after quite some times it seems "snapshot" or double A mode has won over used to be main sales points.
As I said several times in the video, if you are shooting for clients you absolutely need to understand the camera - but I firmly believe you don't have to shoot in manual to always get the best results. Many of the most successful photographers both inside and outside of the wedding industry choose to shoot in automatic modes. It doesn't mean one is better than the other - it's just an option. I've shot well over 450 weddings and I don't consider what I do snapshots. Much like I'm sure Martin Parr doesn't consider what he does snapshots. It's akin to having a car with a turbo button. You need to know how to drive the car, but the turbo button allows to to do it quicker and often with more fun.
I am an event photographer and do the same, in fact, a good number of colleagues I have worked with do the same..... I went to a lecture by Steve McCurry who does exactly the same to concentrate on the moment.
"I want to become a Better Observer, not a better photographer" wow!!!! 🤯 👏🏼
Very encouraging video so thank you for putting the message out there. I have and love my Fuji XT-2 and have tried fully manual but found I was missing shots as I fiddled with various settings so have switched to P mode after watching this video; as I am at the moment on holiday in Gloucestershire I thought I would give it a go and I have found it liberating and so much less of a worry to get it right. Looks like P mode may be my default from now on!
"photography is the technique, seeing is the art" -- very well put. great vid Kevin, thanks.
This! Plus one!
I used to shoot only in manual but I was missing shots all the time because I was getting the settings right. One day I decided to shoot in "P mode" and never turned back now I exclusively shoot in P or aperture priority.
Your wedding photography looks very rewarding. To be invited in and accepted to move among people so freely in a private situation is such a opportunity.
The content is much more important in an image, than the way. Take care. Greetings from France.
nothing to be ashamed about! heck sometimes I do it myself too
"Photography is the technique, seeing is the art" 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you!
Not everythink is black or white. You can use P mode in many types of photography. You can use it whenever the conditions are ok for that. Buy many times you'd want to achieve certain look controlling your depth of field, or maybe you need to lock your shutter speed for many reasons. You're not a better photographer because you shoot only in manual (maybe you're just stubborn and in need of formation), but in order to be a better photographer, you should know how your camera works in any mode, and use the better suited mode for each situation, in order to save time and be prepared to capture that moment.
Personally, i use primarily aperture priority (with manual iso) in most situations. That way i'm letting the camera to decide only over the shutter speed. In tricky light conditions, or for specific purposes (long exposure, controlling flash and ambient...) i shoot in manual mode
Yes, absolutely and that's one of points I make in the video.
Oh I’m such a Mullins fan-boy. Technique and gear are nothing. Your images and the moments you capture are what your clients pay for. An inspirational video, thanks Kevin, I will try harder at next saturdays wedding to worry less about what I’m doing and just be in those moments.
Ok, go shoot without camera. Let's see how gear is nothing. Go shoot sports in low light with a slow lens. Let's see how gear is nothing. Let's see how your clients will pay for the blurry out of focus mess you bring them.
How hard is to understand, that skill matters, but gear matters too? And a lot of skill is in choosing right gear for the job.
And the cool thing about the Fuji (and probably other brands too) you can set the front command dial to “shift” the program settings on the fly.
Yup. And I'm pretty sure it's the same for Sony et Al.
Well said Kevin. Thank you very much and it means a lot coming from you
Hi Kev, Love your work. Cameras these days are more than capable of producing quality images in P mode. A wedding photographer I second shot for before this virus said to me “camera companies spend millions on the functions of these cameras so why not use it to your advantage and be in the moment, rather than spend your time messing with settings and missing everything around you”
Well said! Thanks for sharing! I'm generally an aperture-priority shooter; maybe because I'm near-sighted and I always see everything in focus. So I appreciate seeing separation of the subject at large apertures (mind you, as one aspect of the composition, not all). But you've given a great challenge to shoot in P mode! Can't wait try that out.
Anyone can take a photograph but not everyone can make a picture!
Martin Parr and Sam Abell , both use p mode exclusively.
They’re pretty good.
Such common sense, with a gentle delivery. This was very freeing for me. I too am an observer of moments and love it. But I bought into the manual-mentality for a long while. Thank you for letting me get back to my roots when photography was a pleasure and fun, not a technical exercise. Love your channel.
Thanks, Paula!
As you said Kevin...camera technology is so amazing these days and I love shooting in P made a lot of the time. Helps me concentrate more on the image in certain situations. Thank you for sharing 👍
What metering mode would be best? (X100T) in street photography?
Kevin: I would like to respond to the issue of "Professional" photographer. Over my many years of photographing events I have been asked (or it has been assumed) as to whether I am a Professional photographer. I am not. I am a serious, knowledgeable photographer who happens to like and use high end gear (I have used Nikon gear since 1959 and more recently have been transitioning to Fujifilm). My definition of "Professional" is that your activity generates your principle source of income. Before retirement I was a Professional Biologist. Regarding the P mode, I have rarely used it, almost always using A or S mode depending on circumstances, but I can appreciate your argument in favour of P mode. As always, enjoying your perspective. Cheers.
What a great video! Thanks so much for this open words and your support of the "P-Mode" - One of the best videos I saw here for a long time!
Bravo Kevin!
Here’s to the ever useful “Professional” mode, thanks for this tremendous vid. and I must say that your delivery was perhaps the most polished and confident that I’ve seen to date, congratulations . BTW, love the podcast Best/ Randy
Thanks, Randy :-)
I 100 percent agree "P" is great, most customers wouldn't know the different especially shooting in raw then editing in lightroom/photoshop.
One of the best photography related videos on TH-cam (EVER).
Thanks! That's very kind.
Excellent, as usual! Great video. The most important is the result, the storytelling. PASM, it does not matter. And simplifying is important to concentrate on the subject
Yup, absolutely. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for this video, very inspiring. Joe McNally said something like: using a modern camera in manual mode is like driving a sports car in 2 gear all the time. Personally I use manual all the time using my beloved Fuji X100T, but that is due to technicalities about aperture-dans when going into auto. I'm going to give P a chance on my DSLR.
Once again you've pricked some pretentious balloons and given ordinary folks like me the encouragement to let the camera work for me. Thanks.
One of the most useful videos on photography I have watched. Its really made me rethink my approach to taking pictures....
No matter which episode of yours, I love starting my Saturday morning with this channel. A cup of coffee is overrated. Your words are inspiring, and they never leave anyone behind.
Thank you, that's very kind.
Love how you validate P mode! Will use it as my ‘go to’ rather than missing the moment by fudging about .....
Ah! Wise words, Kevin. You are, of course, quite right: I've missed many moments due to fiddling with my settings. It's onto P mode with my Fuji cameras. Thanks for this eye-opening video. Keep up the good work, I've learnt so much from you.
Thank you, Kevin! As a beginner, I appreciate a professional saying this to help me on my journey without feeling inferior. There is nothing worse than wanting to capture a moment and the end result comes out looking horrible because I did not know how to set up my camera! "P" is your friend!
Sean
Thanks, Sean and yes, "P" can often be your friend for sure.
I really needed to hear this! Thank you
Me too!
Thank you very much Kevin, great video and lesson for me!!! Really appreciated the way you share your experience and knowledge.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Brilliant honest observation!
Thank you so much.
Seems to be to much snobbery in photography, if you don't use manual you don't know what doing. I use anything to get the shot, manual if I got the time or aperture priority for faster light changing. Nothing wrong if you see something you want to catch quick stick it straight onto program. Thanks for the upload Kevin and if I could shoot images like yours I would keep it on program all the time.
Yea, snobbery is a good word for it. Thanks for the kind words.
No it is bullshiting about snoberry. There is something in between P and M. You know that? A and T. And most professionals have it there. Why? Because they know that they want.
Othes have P to diss those snobbery professionals and their modes.
Everytime I see your work I struggle not to cry, always full of emotions, humanity and happiness. Who cares about M, P, Av, Tv or anything, when such amazing work is delivered? As a Wedding photographer myself you are one of my biggest inspiration and motivation to go on when I don't see "light" in my work. Be a good photographer is reductive, you are an amazing human being, that's why you are a great storyteller.
Mattia, that is such a kind message. Thank you so much.
@@kevin_mullins Thanks to you, obviously
Well done Kevin thank god there are still photographers in this world just concerned about getting the image. I know iPhone users that are excellent but just don't know it because they think you need to know all about gear and settings.
Brilliant, fantastic spot on vid / info!! love the song at the end - do you have the name of the artist & song (i saw the link to the music app)
I am pretty much in manual or aperture mode but not because i think it “more professional” 🙄😅 🤦🏻♀️
I will surely give ‘P’ a fair try out especially for precisely what you said - “to be a better observer” and let the mode work itself as designed.
thanks again Kevin for the wonderful vids and being source of great info & inspiration!! 🙏🏼💕
Thanks, Karen. I can't remember the name of the song now but it will be east to find on Artlist.
I love P mode and have been using it for many many years. Just point and shoot to capture the moment. PLUS no one can tell by looking at the images can they? 😂😂😂👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Indeed!
What metering mode would be best? (X100T) in street photography?
I shoot with a Fujifilm x100t and love it. ! I use program mode all the time for this exact reason. Set it and forget it. Their are tons of times that I've missed shots while I was in this mode ( but that's going to happen) when I'm not using program mode I'm shooting in hyperfocal distance full Manual but this also gives me the same type of forget all the technical things and just shoot. A recommendation for beginners is you need to practice practice practice. Learn your camera and it's capabilities.
Spot on Kev!! (and thanks for the mention :)
Thanks, Joe. Hope you are well.
Best bit of photographic advice I think I have ever heard. Excellent.
Ok, that’s not only the best photography TH-cam video I’ve seen, it’s perhaps the best TH-cam video period. “P” mode may just be able to unleash our eye and as you say unshackle us from the camera settings. It’s all about the moment in making it indelible. It’s not about the settings or technique. I do think it’s time for me to let my $1200 X100F show me it’s stuff in “P” mode! Thanks for the brilliant post.
Great work, as always. 👌👌👌❣️
I love the T mode- front dial for iso -back dial for shutter.
Your videos are great and help a lot, will start listening to the weekly podcasts 👍. As a newcomer to photography I decided to start in P mode and concentrate on improving my composition skills. I review the settings on my pictures as part of my learning curve and as I get more confident I’m starting to incorporate a bit more manual operation when the situation allows. I love the dial operation of Fuji, seems easier to me. Didn’t realise there was such a snobbish side to photography, do what works for you and maximises your enjoyment and satisfaction.
Set iso and shutter on auto but assign limits such as don’t go beyond 1600 and minimum shutter at 500\second, control aperture on lens(fujifilm) and change back dial to exposure compensation instead of twisting dial....... I’m happy as a clam
Yup. It's a great way to work.
That is dialing your manual setting and locking them in program mode!
U still have to know the triangle settings!
Because u are a pro!
The problem is when someone new just pick up a camera and don't understand the camera and triangle settings and think that is all they need is the P Mode...now add flash...u lost😂
eric wilson poor them 🤷🏽♂️
As you learn to shoot in manual mode it gives you practice to know what's required in a shot, and the desired look you like, so that you can "look over the shoulder" of your camera when it is in P-mode and it picks the shutter speed, aperture, ISO , then you can choose to accept that or override it. Agreed, the moment is the ultimate arbiter, and you ,as the photographer ,have to capture that moment, that ever so fleeting thing.
Really informative and a brilliant little music slideshow at the end. Fabulous stuff as ever Kevin!
Thanks, Julian.
I use the little Nikon 1J5 for my street photography in Auto mode and the results are great. You are right to say that I can concentrate on the image I want and react with out thinking about manual settings. Thank you for your point of view, I'm going to give P mode a go this year with my weddings.
P mode Rocks !!!
Kevin is such a wonderful talent. A treat to see his work and so inspirational. Glad I've moved from Nikon to Fuji.
Thank you, Pat. Very kind words.
Thanks. I always wondered what the difference in P mode vs. auto. While playing around I found in P mode I can adjust any setting except A or S. It's great.
Thanks for posting a video on 'P' MODE - excellent video tutorial! I've been shooting on P mode for yrs and it's good to have all the gismos on your camera when you need it but I've been getting great images quickly while others are still struggling to set their exposures - the cameras today are awesome they allow you to focus on your subject so that you can capture that decisive moment - the camera is only a tool - it's what you see and capture with a blink of an eye that moment will pass you by - it's about having fun and enjoying your hobby or professional photography. By the way Kevin I've shot videos in this mode as well &it works great! Love your video - keep posting awesome tutorials for the newbies! 😎 👍
Thanks, Abe.
Let's just say you're shooting a Wedding with the Bride near a bright window in manual mode. That fantastic shot you just acquired of the Bride (with a perfect exposure) is in the bag. Then the Bride's Father enters the room and gets emotional at seeing his daughter. The manual exposure you've locked into the camera for the bright scene is now not appropriate at all and chances are you are going to either miss the shot or pray the dynamic range of your camera will be enable you to recover maybe some of the scene in post...Wedding Photography happens quickly, this is not a time for manual mode.
Yes, wedding photography, well, the candid element at least, does happen very quickly indeed.
My canon g7x is always on P mode and NOT auto, this is because I use flash 90% of the time to fill in, and in auto the flash wont fire all the time, where as with P mode you can set the flash to fire all the time. I use A on my Fuji cameras when I'm taking photos, but from time to time I need to darken the sky and add fill flash "hot shoe set as well" OMG I'm a bad photographer lol
Been a keen amateur starting with a Zenith E in about 1976, so know all about photography but hey cameras are a tool to help,so use whatever setting helps you,I mean who nowadays uses a manual drill, no one, we use a cordless because it makes our life easier
Great video as usual,thanks for sharing Oh and the photo of cricket is actually bowling 🙄👍🤣🤣🤣
lol - yes, of course, I knew it was bowls but for some reason when I typed my transcription I typed in cricket absentmindedly. Probably because I was talking about cricket in my last blog post.
@@kevin_mullins no reply needed. I do like your style of photography, love your wedding pics, I still cant get my head around noise "grain" in photos, my head is still using fuji asa 100, think 21 din lol,,I know I can push my X100F and XT3 past 200 iso, but just never do. Going to a wedding in June and I'm determined to use NO Flash, I'm a guest so got nothing to lose. Keep on producing your TH-cam content as it's very good
Great video, great photographs, and now I have great new music I downloaded. Thank you Kevin. 👍🏻
Wow at 14:27 the glass face! What a brilliant capture and even the waiter’s body/legs look strangely disproportionate.
It only matters when you choose it to, everything is just a creative decision.
Hey Mr Mullins thanks for all your contributions. You are one of those unique TH-cam people who manages to inform in an engaging way without condescending to your audience. I hate to point this out but... not a cricket match... those people are engaging in the ancient game of Bowles... just saying.. I know it seems petty but my granny would have been very upset..
Nice one Kevin..
Very well said.
Thanks for your time..x
Hear hear. Whatever the method, just get the shots. Brilliantly illustrated by a superlative slideshow at the end. Bravo!
Thanks, Rory.
Thanks for another great video, 45 years ago I shot weddings on Kodak colour film for a local studio, at that time there was no P mode it was a Nikon camera and fill in flash. Like your self I now shoot most of my photos in P mode on a second hand X70 which you recommend in one of your videos. Keep the videos coming always look forward to watching them.
Thanks, Tony!
Playing football in the rain, is one of the greatest most fulfilling experiences of the beautiful game... I love your images by the way; and I'm not even into wedding photography. Keep on P-ing maaaan, you're doing good…
Thank you, my friend. (and I agree about the football).
I'll be shooing in P mode this week to test it out. I always shoot in AV mode except when I'm shooting with flash. Never tried P mode on my X-T2. Thanks for the video.
Excellent video, i think you are right P mode or fully automatic mode i have felt was frowned on by others with.'proper cameras', and looked down if you use P mode you are right of course it all about the image that you are seeing not about the mechanics, as you often lose the image trying to capture the right combination of shutter speed - aperture and ISO setting - very liberating video thank you
My version of P-mode is set my X100F aperture to f/8 for walk around shooting in daylight...just in case the camera does something I'm not happy with, but yes agree with you Kevin. I usually leave everything to the camera once Auto ISO limits are set.
Bravo Kevin!
Awesome video, and well said sir!
Well said Mr Mullins - salutes the "P" mode - but.....you rugger playing Welshman - that's typical English County bowls at 06:24 not English cricket match LoL
Your videos are more educational every time I see them and it's always good to see you on the screen - keep on keeping on :)
Phil
Thanks, Phil. And yes, I know it's bowling. For some reason when I was typing the script I just typed cricket. Wales did have a world champion bowls player, remember :-)
@@kevin_mullins Just teasing as ever! Your TH-cam channel is favourite viewing here (in Wales too) and the images by Martin Parr are timeless classics.
Your explanation of P mode is so sensible and well said too - look for the moment and not at the camera. Great piece again.
Thank you very much Kevin.
You showed a different way to look at photography.
I have subscribed.
Thanks for the sub, Les.
One of the best videos on the Internet
The Fujifilm X-E3 has an auto-setting. I am an old Nikon F5 and D2X guy, and I often worked with the camera on P. To be able to focus on the scene and NOT on the camera is just great.
Yup.
Very good, great sequence at the end to!
Regardless of 'professional' I want full control of my aperture when I do portrets or want bokeh. Doing landscape I want my wide prime at f8 or f11. Not at 2.8 because the camera wants so. So A and M mode for me!
P mode has saved me so much time over the years. It's all about getting the image.
Brilliant!!! My sentiments exactly.
A terrific reminder about being a better observer. I thank you for that. Regarding using Program mode (Canon) for weddings - would you prefer to leave ISO to "auto IS0) or do you adjust using program shift or just let the camera technology handle the heavy work? Would you use P mode with on camera flash? Great video, well worth subscribing to. Well done!
Thanks for this video. I am sharing it with a couple of new photographers I know. My self I shoot aperture priority because that's what works for me. However I often mentor new photographers and especially for very brand new photographers I encourage them to use full automatic. I liken it to driving a car. If you are just learning to drive a car you cant expect to hop in a formula 1 car and win a race. I believe new photograhers should concentrate on their vision. I do encourage them to learn all aspects of the technical. But in an critical moment its more important to get then shot than miss the shot because of fiddling with settings.
Yes, Keir - it is important to know the technicalities for sure.
Thank you for the talk! Thank you!
I usually shoot in aperture priority and sometimes in P mode ;)
I heard you say this on the podcast and it started me thinking. When I was a Canon shooter I didn't use P mode because it would choose too low a shutter speed often enough to annoy me (ie, speed blurred images I really wanted sharp) so never used it in situations where I needed to get the shot. Sure, they advertised that the P mode would look at the focal length you were using and be smart about setting shutter speed high enough but it just didn't work well enough for me.
Fast forward to my discovery of FujiX (started with the X100S). With Fuji (and now some others like Canon), you can setup auto-ISO so it will try its best to maintain a minimum shutter speed. Once I have that set then it's P mode but driven by my requirements of max ISO and minimum shutter speed. Couple that with the exposure compensation set to C (on my X-T3), you can fine tune exposure with the front command dial quickly.
Kevin, I wonder if you had recommendations about minimum shutter speed for wedding or street shooters or do you now just use auto there as well.
Thanks, Russ. I pretty much always set my minimum shutter speed to 1/125 and max ISO to 12,800.
Weddings are better shot mainly in P, as you said, split seconds make all the difference. Another version is shooting in burst mode, lots say it's taking away the decisive moment (whick was incorrectly translated so I have heard). For the confetti moment there is always too much going on to be decisive, and to shoot 10 to 20 frames is safer in all respects, and safer is the name of the game when your being paid. Although I used to nearly be able to keep up with motordrives manually back in the day, a sore thumb was the result usually. At 2 or 3 frames a second it wasn't that hard. Changing films and not being ready to shoot was more of a problem to be honest. Excellent video. Wish you could do more podcasts as they keep me company when I am working alone. They could be longer too. Auto ISO is a godsend too as long as the correct limits are programmed in. Might as well go back to shooting on 4x5 if you want to waste time with settings.
Yes, agree about burst mode though I really only use that for the confetti and the recessional. And yes, HCB "Decisive Moment" is a translation of the book cover, which is not (according to Magnum) a true translation.
@12:10. The tempo really of the images really suits the images. Nicely done.
your right! Love your work Kevin :)
Thank you Master....You always manage to separate the wheat from the chaff....
Great video, I agree capturing the moment is vastly more important than what mode you shoot in. However, as a professional, I think you do need to know how to shoot in all modes and the camera become the extension of your vision. There will be cases where a full manual shot will be necessary to capture the story you want to tell....for example you may want to convey a sense of motion through shutter speed control.
Yep, absolutely - and this is a point I make in the video too.
This is what most photographer need to here, specially does that think otherwise. We are stamping time and the moment is what matters not your settings. Your client will never interview you on your camera settings or mode. All they care is that you captured their story. One question, I use flash a lot, will give p try. I have being burned by auto ISO many times.
Yea, I would avoid using auto-ISO if using flash. Though it can work.
I love the work of Bresson, but from time to time I dip into P Mode - it can be very liberating as an artist.
That felt a bit like Kung Fu, with the Master telling grasshopper that he will find the truth where he started... in P mode. 😜 Great vid, and I’m up for a wee blast of Auto on my next daylight event.
:-)
Love, love, love your video.
Thank you. LOVED this.
Thanks Kevin for an inspiring video
Next wedding I’m definitely doing this!!!!
JPG or RAW i know a pro shooter he is using gfx 50r and 100r and he says his fuji gfx camera delivers so nice JPG that he often is giving his clients JPG a 70mg JPG (102mp) JPG from fuji gfx 100 is amazing
Your photos are beyond just “professional”, they are exceptional and unique. I find wedding, portrait, landscape photography nowadays to be commonly generic, having that same Canon color look and way too much photoshop. It is wonderful to see perfection within the imperfections. You sir are a true master of the craft.
Thank you, Max - that's very nice of you.
beautifully captured
once we are all young.
💋
First, if you are getting paid for your photographic work you are a professional. Simple as that.
Secondly, people confuse P mode for Auto mode. The important difference (at least on my Canon cameras) is that Auto is JPEG only and cannot be overridden. In P mode, one can change the setting on the fly if needed. So I often use P mode when "grab"shooting and adjust if necessary, or i manual, A, or S priority depending upon the situation. The beauty of these cameras is that one can do it all as desired.
Yup. Modern technology affords us so many benefits.
Shoot how You want :) Master Buissink shot weddings in P mode .
Indeed he does, as I mention in the video.
Well Kevin, very well known wedding photographer from the USA Joe Buissink is also preaching about P-mode. You've mentioned him at 9:00 *There are things like an auto-ISO and rules for shutter speed nowadays* Things that are barely exist when Joe Buissink had started his career. A camera is a pretty much dumb thing. I'd rather set a DOF by my own, subject matter, rather than let my camera to decide it over me. There are plenty of scenes over a wedding day when shooting M-mode will give you a way more constant result and less time in front of a computer in Lightroom later on. While shooting P will always force your camera to turn blacks and whites to a middle gray, since it doesn't know what black and white are!
Yup, as I said - some people will prefer manual and will be just as quick at it as someone who shoots in P mode. That said, the cameras definitely aren't dumb. They are far quicker at identify a good exposure than me and from my conversations with camera designers and engineers, around 2/3rds of the cost of the camera you invest in is in it's processing and computational ability,
I'm on a side of those who teach people to know your equipment to the limit rather then switching to P. I bet the one week of extensive practice with sunny 16 rule will makes anyone to be good in setting exposure right in any lighting situation. That means a constant result ( exposure ) over a sequence. This is exactly what differentiate amature from a pro. The constant exposure over a sequence is a pro marker for me and not only. You may ask any well-known photographers but out of wedding industry. Funny part is that people switching to Fuji X because of its size and manual dials. Those were the main, huge, sales points of the system paired to well-known Fuji's colors. But after quite some times it seems "snapshot" or double A mode has won over used to be main sales points.
As I said several times in the video, if you are shooting for clients you absolutely need to understand the camera - but I firmly believe you don't have to shoot in manual to always get the best results. Many of the most successful photographers both inside and outside of the wedding industry choose to shoot in automatic modes. It doesn't mean one is better than the other - it's just an option. I've shot well over 450 weddings and I don't consider what I do snapshots. Much like I'm sure Martin Parr doesn't consider what he does snapshots. It's akin to having a car with a turbo button. You need to know how to drive the car, but the turbo button allows to to do it quicker and often with more fun.
Just to be clear Kevin, I do respect you, what you do and your point of view. That thumb down is not mine.
No problem at all. It would be a boring world if we all had the same opinion 😀
I am an event photographer and do the same, in fact, a good number of colleagues I have worked with do the same..... I went to a lecture by Steve McCurry who does exactly the same to concentrate on the moment.
PS, I also shoot fuji at events. The jpegs are so good it makes for very quick delivery on site!
Super on p mode.
I got a new Sony a7iii.
Really happy with. 😂