is using "auto" cheating ?

markbarendt · Feb 8, 2017

jnanian said:
i like not having to think and just composing ... is that cheating?

No.

Toffle · Feb 8, 2017

The better question is not is it cheating, but is shooting in full auto mode good photographic practice? If the image captured on film is exactly what you envision, then I suppose even this is a moot point. If, however, you find that you are compromising your image for the sake of getting an image then it's a little more complicated.

[EDIT] Deleted long bloviating paragraph which only proved that I'm an annoying prat who has no place telling anyone how or why they should use a camera.

Here's another question: Which is worse, a "compromised" photo, or no photo at all?

Cheers,
Tom

pdeeh · Feb 8, 2017

Is anything "cheating"?
Short of passing someone else's work off as one's own, I mean.
And Sherrie Levine made even that questionable.

bvy · Feb 8, 2017

What motivates such questions? Who could you possibly be cheating if you get the shot you want?

Wallendo · Feb 8, 2017

On my more modern cameras, I tend to shoot aperture priority because depth of field is more important for most of my photographs than shutter speed. Also, on some of the later SLR's, manual focus and manual aperture control can be awkward to use at times. I avoid "auto" mode because I want more control over my photographs, but sometimes it is the right tool for the job. I don't use flash much, but when I do, I usually use "auto" mode.

I enjoy using my older all manual cameras, but I acknowledge that there is a reason camera manufacturers developed new features and functionality.

As long as "auto" mode is used as a tool and not a crutch, it is not "cheating".

Ian Grant · Feb 8, 2017

Auto is fine as long as you fully understand how it's working and when to over-ride it.

Jeez John what a question from someone in a country where almost all cars have automatic gearboxes It's the opposite in Europe "Auto" is a small minority.

Ian

removed account4 · Feb 8, 2017

Ian Grant said:
Jeez John what a question from someone in a country where almost all cars have automatic gearboxes It's the opposite in Europe "Auto" is a small minority.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 8, 2017

Ian Grant said:
... a country where almost all cars have automatic gearboxes It's the opposite in Europe "Auto" is a small minority.

All of my cars have manual transmissions except for one (a Jag). Once I had the opportunity to drive a large truck (lorry) with many forward gears plus extra gears to the rear axle. I love having as many gears as possible.

It's sad that so many exotic and sports car manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche these days are touting their semiauto or F1-derived paddle shift gearboxes over the ordinary stick. Unless you're in a multimillion Euro F1 race, millisecond shifting speed doesn't matter. What matters, like analog photography, is enjoyment of the process and being involved. Thankfully, I got all my exotic/sports cars before the migration away from manual gearboxes.

The reason the U.S. auto industry embraced the automatic transmission is simple: it made it much easier for beginners to learn (and also women - who were rare drivers in the early 1950's). Once they learn, they buy. Follow the money.

MattKing · Feb 8, 2017

I think stop-and-go traffic jams are another reason why automatic transmissions have just about taken over in North America.

I've always thought that manual shifting with an automatic clutch are a good compromise. Our most recent automotive acquisition offers that.

Randalcav · Feb 8, 2017

Using a camera loaded with film, on automatic, is never cheating, unless you took a zone system oath. Cheating is more like pushing 400 speed film to 1600 and nailing it. It feels like you got away with something.

ME Super · Feb 8, 2017

I do use autoexposure and autofocus on my cameras that have them. It's not cheating. However, very, very rarely do I use full-auto. Most of the time, autoexposure is either aperture priority or shutter priority, and I dial in some exposure compensaation if I feel it's warranted.

On my TLR, of course it's completely manual, complete with red window style advance. Not even an auto-cocking shutter - that has to be done manually too.

removed account4 · Feb 8, 2017

Randalcav said:
Using a camera loaded with film, on automatic, is never cheating, unless you took a zone system oath. Cheating is more like pushing 400 speed film to 1600 and nailing it. It feels like you got away with something.

yeah, thats the feeling i am talking about !!

Chan Tran · Feb 8, 2017

It is cheating if you think by using any form of automation would relieve you from having to think otherwise it is not. If you know exactly what it does and exactly what results it will deliver and you don't want to move your muscles but letting the slave does it for you then it's not cheating.

is using "auto" cheating ?

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