Agreed. I think I spent the first ten years of my career learning this information through the daily grind, photo walks, trial and error, and on the job necessities. Sean has truly put together a master class for those who are willing to soak it in and then go practice it in the field.
I picked up photography as an hobby during the pandemic, I'm absolutely hooked and in love with the art! But you Sean are by far the greatest photographer I've come across, not just because your work is amazing but how you're willing to teach anyone who is willing to learn. Great bloke!
This is by far one of the better youtube tutorials out there to explain manual mode, visually focussed and in a language that is easy to understand so that it makes sense. Thanks Sean!
Take the entire video. Pause any outdoor shot, take a screenshot. Each frame is a beautiful photograph itself. Only Sean, for me, can make me watch a 25 minutes tutorial feel like 5 minutes deal.
before getting into photography more seriously, most terrifying thing was "what if i will not be able to shoot manual?". but actually digging in for some time into manual mode it turned out, its not that difficult and its actually pleasure to have control especially doing art work. this video is perfect for those who want to learn shooting manual mode.
3 years in as a freelance photographer. I know this stuff and always thinking and doing this. But the way this is explained is so good any one can understand. Best teacher ever hands down!
Finally, someone who can teach photography in a simple, easy to understand way that makes perfect sense to me. Thank you Sean. You just shared with me the best advice ever. I am grateful! Cheers!
FINALLY! You have no idea how many videos I've watched and articles I've read to get an understanding of how it all works together. This illustration explains it all. So helpful, thank you!
I started shooting over 2 years ago. Using aperture priority for the majority of that time. I recently started to shoot full manual to have more control. This video is the best I’ve come across so far. Thank you.
Wish i had watched this video 3 years ago, it basicly teaches all you need to know for most types of photography. The best video by far. Thank you mate.
Just watched cause I wanted to see how different photographers discuss the exposure triangle to newbies. This is probably, for me atleast, the best "lecture" in explaining it here in RU-vid.
Fantastic. Ex Leica photographer from 30 years ago. Much simpler then the Zone system back then. This video would have saved me a chunk of time in field learning. Same rules apply as popping in Kodachrome 64 locked the ISO and you needed to work with DOF and SS, but your video was terrific in explaining these. Sending to the new crop of photographers around me.
Hi. I'm new in photography and watched hundreds of videos on youtube, but this was far the most valuable one. Great explanation, short and simple. Thank you.
OMG! Your explanation is so clear. You have just removed my fear of manual mode. It now makes total sense. Obviously needs practise, but keen to start. How refreshing to have found someone who explains things so simply and ungimmicky. Thank you for bothering to to do it. Much appreciated.
Been shooting in Manual mode for a little while in an attempt to teach myself more about the triangle. This video cleared things up tremendously. Huge thanks for making this!
Thank you for setting the record straight, Sean: most people have massive misconceptions about modes, especially when it comes to M. When you say, at the beginning of the video, that you find manual settings faster to nail the correct exposure (i.e. correct = as you would like to see the image, not as an algorithm judges it), I thought, at last, somebody sets aside myths, snobbery, and - pardon my French - bullshit and knows what he's talking about. I agree, M is for getting full control over the image, and yes, practice makes you fast - just as it does in any other mode. Kudos, Sean!
I find that he is totally correct when it comes to manual actually being faster in many situations. I was doing some very fast paced street photography in tokyo (the light was perfect but I was with a group and had to keep up with them) and I think I may have had it set to Aperture priority for maybe a few shots. And found that I could actually get the exposure much quicker in manual. Because I did not have to play around with where I was metering the shot but just intuitively changed the exposure quite quickly TLDR I agree with this comment.
This is by far the best video I have ever seen that explains the basics of photography in an easy-to-understand way. Sean, you have "nailed" it big time. The exposure triangle, the questions you need to ask yourself before taking a photo (DOF vs movement), how to set up your camera so you can dial in settings, and how to read a histogram are all laid out with great simplicity. So happy I came across your RU-vid channel. Just subscribed.
I second all of this. As soon as I got a DSLR camera I decided I was done with point-and-shoot modes and went straight to manual. Now, any time I try to give shutter or aperture priority a chance, I just get frustrated by how little the camera understands what I'm after. If I need to automate a function or two, I'll do it by sticking the ISO and *maybe* the white balance on auto just to keep from missing shots due to underexposure, but never the aperture or the shutter. Sean Tucker is by far my favorite photography channel, and after that Joel Ulises for his beautiful and cinematic documentary shorts about different photographers. Thank you for such amazing content!
Sean, your shots are quite frankly, brilliant and your explanations for them even more so, keep up the great work. Watching you is like watching a genius at work, I love the high contrast nature of your shots. When Sean Tucker comes out with a new video, people take notice, my friend, you truly stand out from quite frankly and interesting crowd.
You're a natural teacher! Thank you for explaining in a language I could understand! I know this is a video I'll come back to watch more than once, to refresh my mind before heading out with my camera.
That is absolutely the best ever explanation that I have ever watched explaining the virtues of shooting manually, even thought I have been shooting manually for years, it is a wonderful post.
Thanks Sean! Even though I've been a photographer for years it is always nice to get refreshed with the basics sometimes and I find your videos so helpful and a great learning tool! Keep up the great work!
Spent my whole day trying to understand this until I got to your channel. I finally feel ready to start practicing, thanks for such a great explanation!!!
I am an enthusiast wildlife photographer,This is exactly the kind of tutorial I was looking for, you are a fantastic teacher, specially the perfect examples of manual driven & automatic cars, I am now excited and confident to go into manual mode and shoot, thanks a lot from India.
This is the best explanation on exposure triangle I have ever come across. You really demystified the three musketeers of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Thank you very much.
So many people throughout these (his) videos point out the videos merits. For a photographer, he really does use music like a true storyteller film maker. (did not read any comments about that :)
It's this kind of video that really helps new photographers! Straight to the point, punctuating all the important parts, giving practical examples, very good lesson! I do analog photography, and I use the manual mode a lot, as I don't have the screen for a preview of the photo, I base myself on the Sunny 16 or on the camera's photometer, and from there I make the changes I think are necessary, depending on where mine is highlight (in light or shadow). A phrase I always think of is: "the camera doesn't do photometry, it gives a suggestion.". The photographer who chooses whether to follow the suggestion or change.
As a professional photographer and tv camera assistant for over 45 years this is the best explanation of exposure there is. A must view for learning photography. Well done.
Woohoo, so easy!! Thanks for the trick to fix ISO and SS, play with AP. I tried it today and it is so much more convenient and more time to focus on composition!! Thanks for these easy tips, but non the less very helpfull! My style was auto iso, aperture fixed and play with SS. But problems as high auto iso etc. Your way is so much better!!!! Thanks again mate!
Sean, thank you again for a brilliant video. Your explanation is very clear and to the point. Back in the analogue days of photography, I always shot manual mode and it seemed so much easier. Aside from AP, SS and ISO the only other considerations were whether to push/pull the film speed. Todays DSLRs seem way too complicated with all the menu options, buttons, dials etc that I found myself using Auto mode all the time. Your video has inspired me to once again start using Manual shooting mode.
I can`t emphasize how truly grateful i am for this particular video essay. I started photography 3 months ago and have tried multiple youtube tutorials in an attempt to fully understand the exposure triangle. And where all others failed you managed to succeed. Your information was so clear, concise and detailed, that even i managed to understand it in just one go. Thank you
Sean. This is your most valuable video. I've watched it several times now. I've made a lot more mistakes since I moved off of Auto mode, but I've made better photos with manual mode. By the way, none of my cars are Auto. My 1967 Datsun Bluebird 411 SSS is my favorite rear wheel drive car. I drive it frequently. It is also a subject for a lot of my photos. Cheers.
You are a Legend. I never subcribe to anyone just watching one video. I subcribed to your channel watching the video maybe around 10min mark. Thats how much i appreciated your time. Thank you my Hero.
WoW! Finally! After days of learning exposure here is a video explaining it for absolute beginners. All other videos are talking about what the lens will do, they talk about technical stuff but no one is talking about what will eventually happen if I try to take pictures on manual settings. I really believe that talking about what happens if I lower the iso for ex. is much more valuable than explaining what the lens or the camera is doing. Thank you, thank you, thank you for such a valuable explanation.
"I just stuck the aperture as low as possible cause that's what you do when you get lenses that have a nice shallow depth of field..." - Me, after buying my first 35mm prime lens. I am still kinda stuck in that, actually. :)
Brilliant video Sean. The most informative I’ve seen yet and you have drawn / explained the manual triangle so well. I’m just starting out, bought the Canon EOS M50 for mixed picture and video use. Love the powerful little camera and whilst I’ve been out twice to take my first landscape pictures and a video, I’ve used auto and modes, tried a little manual, but not understood it yet. Your video has really helped me. Thank you very much. 👍📷
Never touched a DSLR or any sort of professional cameras except obviously the camera of my smartphone, but this explanation of the exposure made a hell lot of sense, both, technically and logically. Thank you Sean for this. I absolutely admire your work and consider you my idol. 🙌🏻 I just naturally aspire to be like you. 🌻
I also love how your videos start with calming music and thought provoking quotes. None of these crap jingles and fast moving stuff trying to show how great you are. We really don't need 10 million wannabe Peter McKinnons! ;-p
@Rog Ricks He's not. He's technically good, but a showman. And I've seen him making satanist gesture (in the video he goes on the snowscooter). He's actually a big guru of the selfie-narcissism scene, running around with a 1Dx vlogging camera. There is no real story behind it all.
I recently had the pleasure of finding this site and I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed your explanation. You are a great mentor and I admire your street work. I had never seen anyone with your perspective on street lighting. Love it! Keep up the great work.
I am a small RU-vidr making videos for past one year as a hobby, and recently i started learning more about photography. Few days ago i accidentally ended up seeing one of your videos and i should say that you inspired me more to photography. I’ve seen so many videos for understanding exposure and this was the best of all. Good job, keep inspiring👍
on the technical side, THAT is photography, in a nutshell. Understanding those 3 and how they work as a team is crucial. I learned this in my film days and it is invaluable. I shoot live music in a small club and use manual mode 99.9% of the time. I am able to make adjustments quickly because I understand the triangle. Learn the triangle and you can take control of your images. Another excellent video, Sean
I've only had a camera for 7 months, never had one before other than the one on my phone. stuck it in manual after two days. The analogy with the car was perfect and id never drive an automatic car either.
Same thing here. I've been trying shutter speed priority lately and it has made a big difference as now motion blur is only there if I want it to. It also forces me not to use shallow depth of field as a crutch so now I have to be super mindful of composition.
Thank you for the thought you put into this video. I currently know zero about photography and have been afraid to take my camera off "Auto" mode. I am now empowered by your lesson and encouragement to step out of the comfort zone and be more creative.
Thank you once again, Sean Tucker. I really like both your art and your no-b.s. style of friendly but direct communication. No personality vlogging thing. Just the meat, no sauce! And for someone so talented to take the time to RU-vid your insights, to teach us out here in RU-vidLand, is very generous despite anything you might earn from doing so. In other words, you are a gifted artist who doesn't have to do this, but you do. I am even inspired to perhaps set up a beginner's channel to get people to spring for a real camera and enjoy recording the life they see all around them as much more interesting than a snapshot. (And then they use "Faceapp" and stuff like that to further trivialize photography. So, what you're doing is socially important. It's rescuing photography from the billions and billions of pointless images recorded on social media for all millenia. Some images MUST stand out to tell the future who we really were in this time after film.) Photography of all kinds takes my mind off of me and my personal troubles and puts my "focus" on the miracles we often miss in the world around us. Thanks. P.S. -- Can't promise I'll go full manual, because aperture priority feels natural to me, as it's tied to focus, which I have decided to do manually from now on. I want control over the camera.
Your have a way of making things clear! I also love the way you have a personal touch to all your videos! I wish this had been around several years ago when I was reading so many books to get the hang of all this. The drawings really help as well. Have watched several of your videos thus far. Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing of your craft!
I have only just come across Mr. Tucker's channel recently so haven't watched many videos. But from what I can tell, Mr. Tucker seems to really really care. Just care. Take the care to do something, or why else wasting any time doing anything. This trait is not only respectable, but really moving. What a soul.
This is the best video I've seen about exposure and shooting manual and I've seen hundreds lol this is the easiest way to understand it, thank you so much
What I love about this video is that the principles we he champions in his photography, you can see them practiced in the cinematography of the video as well.
So glad this came up on my feed again. Watched it before and have now book marked. I shoot in manual but I still struggle with it. This video really helps explain it. Thank you.
I just wanted to say thank you. I've been into filmmaking for about 5 years, and your explanation helped me to understand a concept I've struggled with immensely. ❤
