Mastering My Vision

June 12, 2025

One of my favourite Channels on You Tube is by Martin Castein. I recently saw a video where he recommended setting my camera to Programme Mode.

This meant setting everything off:

Shoot in JPEG

Auto ISO

Mode Dial - P

With these settings my camera became a basic point and shoot system. The point of this exercise was to remove all mental considerations and simply focus my attention on seeing, composing and observing. The Camera would now do all of the heavy lifting. Each scene would have its own correct quantitive exposure with no creative input from me.

The last time I shot with my Camera in any kind of auto mode was in 2013. I know this date because I was I was touring in China with my first DSLR - The Nikon D90 and it was set to Auto. I had no idea how to use my camera let alone create a well exposed image.

Over the last 12 years, I have learnt how to work my camera in full manual and semi manual modes. I feel technically competent and can create decent images.

This back to basics approach has given me a sense of freedom in learning how to train my brain and eye to see without any distractions.

This exercise also allowed me to focus my attention and vision on seeing the Light.