Relatively new S3 owner.

[griptape]

So I bought my S3 about 3 weeks ago, (brand new for $198 :p ) along with an SD550 Elph. The elph is a great point and shoot, and being ultra portable helps. And I'm loving the manual controls on the S3. But I've been trying to get the hang of the aperture settings (don't have too much interest in the auto mode as I have the elph if I just want to point and shoot), and have gotten more consistent, but I still feel like I should be doing better.

Is there a relatively simple formula that says "if your light is x then your aperture should be x and your shutter speed should be x"? Or at least something to keep me in the ballpark?

Here's a few of the better pictures I've gotten out of it.

[XaiLo]

griptape, congratulations and welcome to the community allow me to suggest "Understanding Exposure" Revised Edition by Bryan Peterson it offers oodles of practicle examples, while being a light and informative read. I can't say how many times I've already suggested this book to others. At under $20 it's one best investments you good make in your new endeavor. hth

A more direct answer to your question though... there are multiple correct exposures for any given photo op and it depends on what you're trying to accomplish as to how you would proceed. Try going to "P" mode and see what it offers up on the way of settings then go to "M" mode and start playing with those settings and see how they effect the photo for every full stop your either halving or doubling your available light as it applies to aperature and shutter speed. when your in manual when you see a 0+- in the upper left hand corner you know you should have the correct setting to obtain a proper exposure.

[griptape]

when your in manual when you see a 0+- in the upper left hand corner you know you should have the correct setting to obtain a proper exposure.

I must have missed that in the manual, but thank you, this should save me some time and headache of having to re-take indoor shots so much. I'll also hit up amazon for the book you recommended.

[danidabi]

I found that the manual makes more sense a few months later, once you have figured out some of the functions via this website and by simplying taking photos