How to improve this

[Dakota]

many times I'll take LOTS of shots playing with different modes/settings just to compare the results. It really helps to actually see the differences that changing settings make

This is where understand WHAT f-stop is, HOW is works, and WHAT it does to the image. Same goes for shutter-speed, along with your lens length, and such. One you understand what is going on (in terms of the image as the end result) you will KNOW what to do, and WHY you are doing it.... Exosure is only ONE (small, albeit important) part of the puzzle.


wait, did that make sense?

[barometer]

This is where understand WHAT f-stop is, HOW is works, and WHAT it does to the image. Same goes for shutter-speed, along with your lens length, and such. One you understand what is going on (in terms of the image as the end result) you will KNOW what to do, and WHY you are doing it.... Exosure is only ONE (small, albeit important) part of the puzzle.


wait, did that make sense?

LOL, perfect sense Eric
That's what I was trying to say, but not too well . Once you see the result of a change and KNOW what it's gonna do, it kinda becomes part of your shooting skill and you don't have to think about that specific so much anymore. But you gotta go through changing one setting at a time as not to confuse yourself