Manual's instructions

vera It's my first camera from now three years... but I opened it two years ago, when I began Tookapic!😉

Michał Hmm... Usually if I open manual it's only when something does not work ;)

Paweł Kadysz Or it doesn't work because you didn't read the manual :P

Michał Well, maybe once in a while that might be true, especially with a completely new device. I needed to read a manual for my speedlight, because I've never had one before. But honestly, have you read a manual for your iPhone? Or your car - cover to cover? :)

Paweł Kadysz No, because I was thought how to use a car - everyone is thought that in the driving school. And I used cameras before having an iPhone. It's like you said - if a camera is a completely new device for you - you'd better read at least the quick manual which is usually just a couple of pages.

vera Personaly, I like when it's intuitive, but I don't hesitate to immerse myself in the manual if something is wrong. I'm not ashamed to say that sometimes something doesn't work! Or simply I want to discover and learn new features. I can't believe you know everything when you buy your first camera! espacially if you want to progress in a manual mode. I opened this manual more than once. At the beginning I remember very well, for example, when I wanted to know how to make the white balance, how to take a "raw" format, or how to make multiple exposure. I have never taken a photography class, so the manual also seems like a tool. How do you learn all these things alone? Perhaps you had good friends to show it to you?😉

Michał I think that manuals are usually about pure operational aspects of the device, or a camera in this case. So I'm not sure you could learn a lot about photography from the camera manual :) Usually before buying anything I read a lot about it. Or look for video reviews. This makes me feel I know it pretty well when it's delivered and just can't wait to put my hands on :)

Michał Yes, quick start guides are really helpful. I skim through them :)

vera Michal it's an interesting discussion about what is art of photography! what is the place in our eyes of the technical part. I totally agree with you that photography can't be reduced to reading a manual, of course! I'm not saying that with my pic! But I'm not lying to you when I say that I have made several calls to the manual since I began Tookapic. I am perhaps an exception? I don't know? Not everyone has the same approach. For me the pure operationnal aspects or technical aspects are a part of the artist's instrument. A pianist must make his scales to be able to play certain pieces, but the scales are only a technical part serving the artist. A painter must know his painting material and how to maintain it, but that doesn't make him a painter. In all art there is a technical part in my opinion. But I agree with you that is not enough to make you an artist!😃

Michał Indeed, the discussion developed a bit :) Everyone have different experience and background, hence different point of view.

I think the common conclusion is that manuals are important, but maybe not essential. It's good to have them at hand just in case. Manual will walk you through some technical aspects and help resolve issues. Manuals are for tools but tool are only a part of an overall process. It's good to know your tools, of course - either from manual, or from friend or from own trial and error.

I tried to be as much generic as possible, but I hope that relationship to photography is quite obvious :)

And by the way, you're not an exception. Recently I wanted to execute a general cleaning of my coffee machine and needed to check the steps in the manual ;)

vera 🤣😉phew! it reassures me, I'm not an alien😅! Thank you so much for this well done summary Michal!😘

vera It's my dark side... ^^

vera Thanks a lot Craig! 😊

vera I promise to read it conscientiously🧐😉🤣 Thanks!!

vera Thank you Satoshi! I try!😉