Technology In Your Camera – How To Take Control Of It

I recently ran across a very good article, Photo Editing Is No Substitute For Photography Technique, by Andrew Goodall, that refutes the recent trend emphasizing the importance of editing over getting it right in camera. This wasn’t a SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) diatribe as the author recognizes the need for editing. Rather, he makes the case for getting it right (or as “right” as possible) in the camera. As Goodall states, “It is an alarming truth that some people see software, not the camera, as the cornerstone of photography.” I agree with Goodall. However, the problem goes deeper than just an over-reliance on post-processing. Thanks to modern technology, we now find that the camera is the computer and because it is simple to use, we often relinquish creative control to the built-in technology in our camera.

There is a lot of technology in our camera that if we choose, can replace technique. I’ve no doubt missed some but here is a quick list of some in-camera technology that takes us beyond manual setting of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

• Image Stabilization
• Exposure compensation
• Automatic exposure bracketing
• Depth of field preview
• Auto-focus
• Auto-ISO
• In-camera HDR
• Safety Shift
• Highlight Tone Priority
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Much of this is quite old and familiar. Some is emerging and quickly developing.  AI in particular, is full of possibilities; the future is exciting. In an earlier post, I mentioned that my camera, a Canon 5D Mk III, has 21 top level menus with possible setting choices in the100+range. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, ““Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore!” We’ve gone way beyond just setting shutter speed, aperture and ISO!

Why Do We Use Technology?

The question is whether we are using the technology as an efficiency tool to make our work easier or we are turning over the responsibility artistic and technical choices to the technology. In the case of the latter, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to ask ourselves a few questions: “Who is the artist? Me or some unknown engineer at Canon/Nikon/Sony/… ?

Before you get all defensive and proclaim that of course I use it as efficiency tool and I am the one making the choices you may want to answer a few questions about all this automation.

1. Do I understand how it works including all the various options (if any)?
2. Are the how and why it makes the choices it makes clear to me?
3. Do I understand the inherent limitations of the technology?
4. Are the situations where its use is appropriate/inappropriate clear to me?
5. If the automation suddenly stopped working, could I still accomplish the same task by manual but albeit more cumbersome methods?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, congratulations! You’re using the technology in your camera as it should be used. It’s a labor and time saving device but you are firmly in control of the process and the outcome.

If you answer “no” to any of the questions things get murkier. Exactly how murky depends on the quality of the answer. For example, “I kinda/sorta understand how it works.” while still a “no” is better than having absolutely no clue. Additionally, how many questions you respond “no” to is significant. At best, a “no” puts you at risk of misusing the technology and as a result not getting the outcome you were hoping for. At worst, you give some creative control to the technology without understanding what it will do.

How To Take Control Of The Technology

Taking control of your photography includes taking control of your camera. That also means you need to take control of the technology in your camera. It’s not hard to take control, but it takes some work. It’s the boring drudgery of reading the manual and doing some research.

Read The Manual

When you get a new camera the first thing you want to do is start taking photos. The last thing you want to do is to read the manual. I get it. I used to work in IT, a profession prone to the use of acronyms. One of the common “insider” acronyms was RTFM. We would always get a lot of “how do I…?” and “why is it doing …?” type questions. We’d politely answer the questions all the while silently screaming in our mind, “RTFM!, RTFM!”. The acronym, RTFM, of course is short for “Read The Effing Manual”. You should read it because that’s where the facts are, that’s where the answers are.

Read it from cover to cover. This includes reading the sections you already know about. Who knows, as a result you may find out that your understanding was incorrect or incomplete. If your understanding was correct, it is now reinforced and strengthened as a result. You should read the sections about the things you have no plans of ever using. You’ll end up with a better understanding of the way the camera works. It will leave a breadcrumb for the future if it turns out you do need to use it. You may not remember the specifics but you’ll likely remember there is something there that addresses the situation.

Do Your Research

After reading the manual you may have questions that the manual didn’t address. Or you may need clarification or explanation of when certain features are appropriate to use. A simple reminder – Google Is Your Friend! 

The internet is a treasure trove of information. It is also a trash can of bad and misleading information. Google your questions and use reputable sources to get your answers. It is highly unlikely that you are the first to have that question. Others have faced it and thankfully posted the answer on the internet. To make sure you’ve got good information use multiple, reputable sources. Multiple sources also allow you to come to your answer from different angles.

After researching the answers try out the automation features. Take a series of test shots, some with using the technology, some without. Evaluate the results so you understand the impact that the technology has. Get familiar with the process. Practice makes perfect. Doing the research and running trials will as a result reinforce the manuals and help this new knowledge to sink in.

Take An Occasional Break From The Technology

Like many others, I started out shooting film with a what was essentially a manual camera. The only “technology” was a basic exposure meter. Everything else was up to me. Because of this I had to learn and understand the concepts of shutter speed, aperture, ISO (or what used to be called ASA), camera math, etc. Personally, I find that grounding in the basics invaluable. It has served me well.

Sadly, those that start out on new digital cameras are cheated out of this experience and opportunity. As Goodall mentions in his article some would argue that type of knowledges is no longer needed. I disagree. You have to know the basics if you want to be in full control of the camera and know when and how to use the new technology.

Because of all this I recommend that from time to time you go fully manual. It forces you to think about your choices you are making and why. It can also cause you to re-evaluate how and why you use the technology. There are some side benefits to occasionally doing a technology time-out. It will force you to slow down and think everything through. You just might find that you start thinking through your composition and technique a bit longer too. That’s always a good thing as I believe it help create better photos.

The technology in our camera is a wonderful thing. Learn how it works and understand when it should be used and you’ll truly be in charge of your camera and will be getting the most out of it. More significantly know how and when to use this technology you’ll become a better photographer. Isn’t that what we all want?

Leave A Comment And Share

I’d love to hear your comments and feedback on this post. I hope it was helpful. How well do you know the technology in your camera? Please leave a comment in the comment box below.

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