How I Made the Sushi Chef Image

Today’s Post by Mark Toal

I’ve read several articles lately about why you need to shoot in any mode other than Program or Auto. This image is the reason why I always keep my camera in the Program mode and Auto ISO as I walk around. By allowing the camera to do everything for me I’m always ready to capture a fleeting moment life this Sushi Chef taking a break.

I was sipping sake at my table as I waited for friends to arrive when the sushi chef walked out of the kitchen to look out the front door of the restaurant. I quickly picked up the Panasonic Lumix GX85 that was on the table next to me, zoomed in slightly with the 12-32mm kits lens and took three quick images. A few seconds later he went back to the kitchen. If I had fiddled with the camera controls I would have missed making this photograph.

What I like about this image is the way the light outlines his face, arm and the knife behind his back. I can’t think of anything that I would have done differently if I had been shooting in aperture or shutter priority or god forbid manual.