I think I need a break from all things relating to manual mode. Everything is either too light or too or my focus is off. Some days I feel like I would get better shots if I had access to better equipment (macro lens and such), other days (like today) I feel like I shouldn't be allowed anything other and a point and shoot disposable camera. One of these days I'll figure out how to work a camera. lol.
This was actually shot in manual mode, and then I edited it because I felt like it was too boring. Editing consisted of Befunky's Instant #2 effect
Manual mode is great but does take some experimenting with and understanding of how your choices effect the exposure. The exposure triangle - ISO, shutter speed, and aperture all control how much light hit the camera's sensor (as well as doing other things like depth of field, freeze or blur action etc). I recommend you do some reading online about the exposure triangle since that will explain it better than I can.
As far as focus, well that's tougher but it may be too shallow depth of field (low aperture number) as a possible cause. A narrow depth of field means there's little forgiveness if the focus is not in the right spot. The focus here seems to be on the lower part of the jewel and I think it seems fine from what I can see on large view.
I hope that's of some help to you. Don't give up. Practice, read, practice and enjoy the process. :)
I know the feeling. I tried using manual mode but the result is not always good. Right now, I'm dying to learn or understand the aperture and shutter, it's so frustrating. Anyway, I like the photo!
Try not to give up on Manual Mode. Its pretty much all I use, although it did that many many online tutorials and an online course to learn how to use it properly. My camera is not a DSLR but a high zoom bridge camera and it works fabulously in Manual Mode. Try and make sure you are balancing ur levels to zero ( f stop and shutter speeds) , use a tripod where u can and see whether your camera has any help for focus. Some Nikons have a green focus dot in the view finder when ur picture is in focus. And yes, practice lots :)
@shamma look at your exif settings when you try different things on a point and shoot. Work out what you can get from the camera - what setting creates what aperture, what setting gives what shutter. I found that I can force long exposure by using ISO100 and poor light conditions - From the beginning of this project, when I was using a really dire Samsung, I'm going to link to two pictures: http://365project.org/shannejw/365/2014-01-03 - using daylight and macro setting - it's better on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12323897@N04/11736741236/ (and everything on that Flckr account before this picture was taken on a simple point and shoot either the Samsung or a Sony Cybershot - but a really old one) http://365project.org/shannejw/extras/2013-12-22 - long exposure using poor light conditions and ISO 200 to force the camera into a long exposure. (I would have chosen ISO100 if I'd been properly paying attention, but I was getting it in the neck from my daughter who didn't want to stand around in the rain)
@obmcreations
Thanks for the comment! I've done some reading on the triangle, but maybe need to read up on it more. I wont be giving up necessarily, just maybe giving up on this camera. :)
@shamma
Thanks for the comment! I enjoy your photos, so you're clearly doing something right even if it's on program modes. Is there a (not to be rude, this is simply what the book series is called) "for dummies" book on your particular camera? I know a lot of the better models have them.
As far as focus, well that's tougher but it may be too shallow depth of field (low aperture number) as a possible cause. A narrow depth of field means there's little forgiveness if the focus is not in the right spot. The focus here seems to be on the lower part of the jewel and I think it seems fine from what I can see on large view.
I hope that's of some help to you. Don't give up. Practice, read, practice and enjoy the process. :)
Thanks for the comment! I've done some reading on the triangle, but maybe need to read up on it more. I wont be giving up necessarily, just maybe giving up on this camera. :)
Thanks for the comment! I enjoy your photos, so you're clearly doing something right even if it's on program modes. Is there a (not to be rude, this is simply what the book series is called) "for dummies" book on your particular camera? I know a lot of the better models have them.
Thanks for the comment! There is a green box that is supposed to show for focusing. I'll keep at it.