Camera Modes
Digital SLRs have several camera modes. Find out what they are and which ones are best for your creative compositions.
Some cameras have a dial that allow you to change camera modes. A few examples of these modes are:
Read on to decide which mode to shoot in and which mode is best for your photographic compositions.
Auto Mode (A/Auto)
A lot of photographers will use their camera’s “Auto” setting to take photos.
While most cameras are intelligent enough to get the “proper” exposure of ISO, shutter and aperture, the resulting photo may not be what you intended.
However, in auto mode, you can easily take photos in the “blink of an eye”. This is useful if you need to quickly capture a subject and you don’t want to worry about adjusting camera settings by yourself.
However, this mode may be a bit annoying because the camera will pop up the built-in flash when it thinks it is appropriate.
Program Mode (P)
The camera program mode is like Auto mode except the built-in flash won’t pop up.
A very handy way to be in a point-and-shoot mode without having to worry about the flash. This is good if you are in a museum or at a live performance where flash photography is not permitted.
In Program mode, the camera will make the necessary adjustments like in Auto mode.
Aperture Priority Mode (A/Av)
Aperture priority is best for use in portrait photography and landscape photography.
Why?
Because you as the photographer can control the amount of background blur. You want your subject to have the most prominence.
Controlling the aperture settings yourself will allow you do just that.
In Aperture priority mode, the camera makes the other adjustments of ISO and shutter by itself.
Shutter Priority Mode (S/Tv)
Shutter priority is best for sports and for any photography where you want to imply motion or freeze motion.
In sports, for example, you may want to freeze the basketball player making a slam dunk! Or you may want to create a silky smooth effect for a river or stream.
When you have control of your shutter speed, the camera will automatically adjust for aperture and ISO.
Other modes
The other camera modes are geared toward specific types of photography.
For instance, there is a “Macro” setting and a “Landscape” setting. These settings are “Auto” settings with slight adjustments for the type of photography you say you are doing.
For instance, in the “Portrait” setting, the camera will still meter automatically and set ISO, shutter and aperture automatically. However, it will make adjustments while favoring aperture settings.
In portraiture, it is important that the subject is emphasized. The adjustments made in “Portrait” mode will attempt to ensure that the background is more blurred.
The camera does this by trying to ensure that the aperture is as wide open as possible.
Love your camera. Love yourself. Love your photos.