Opinion
SUMMARY
Modern cameras have advanced to reliably manage technical settings such as exposure, white balance, and autofocus, making auto mode a professional choice. This automation doesn't eliminate the photographer's role but relocates creative decisions to a later stage, similar to the transition from film to digital. Shooting in JPEG, for instance, embeds post-processing decisions within the camera's rendering, leveraging decades of photographic practice for a strong baseline.
TAKEAWAYS
Auto mode in modern cameras handles technical tasks like exposure and autofocus with stable results.
The shift to automation means creative decisions are now often made after initial capture.
Shooting JPEG embeds camera rendering decisions, acting as pre-applied post-processing.
Professionalism today involves understanding automated systems and intentionally choosing when to deviate from them.