Is Auto mode bad?

One of the common myths in the photography world is that using the AUTO mode on your DSLR is a bad thing.

A lot of people think that unless you are shooting in manual mode, you aren’t a REAL photographer.

This is not entirely true.

Manual mode is definitely a superior mode to shoot in because the exposure triangle (Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO) are fully under your control.

But that doesn’t mean the other modes are bad.

They have their uses too.

I’ll give you an example.

Back in 2013 I was doing an event shoot for a large clothing brand from Mumbai, which had just opened up a new retail outlet in Pune.

I reached at the venue of their launch party and was told that the event was delayed and that I would have to wait for 2 hours.

In those 2 hours I did something really unprofessional (the only unprofessional act of my career).

The drinks at the bar were free for the staff and I took full advantage and had one too many.

By the time the party started, I was not in the best shape to be doing a 3 hour shoot. I was not able to concentrate . So I needed an easy way to get the shoot done quickly.

So I simply put my camera on the Auto mode and fired away all the shots.

It was a huge risk.

But the client saw the shots, accepted them and paid me my money.

Job was done.

I felt a bit guilty of course but the point here is that using the Auto mode enabled me to get decent looking shots and complete the shoot that night.

As a beginner, you can also use the Auto mode if you ever find yourself getting stressed or in panic because you are not getting shots in the manual mode. I still do this myself.

Remember, a lot of photographers don’t feel good till they “suffer”. You have to get rid of that mentality. Photography can be easy too and that ease should also be enjoyed when required.

I hope this tip takes some pressure off you.