DAY 41

PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Camera Modes

AUTO MODES VS. MANUAL MODES

Most consumer-level cameras have a fully automatic mode. The camera will automatically set the shutter speed and the aperture that will result in a properly exposed photograph. This mode generally has the designation “Auto” or a camera icon and is green on the mode dial. Users who prefer maximum control over shutter speed and aperture should choose manual mode, designated by the letter “M” on the mode dial, in conjunction with the camera’s internal light meter.

Several additional settings may be available, depending on your camera, that are a combination of automatic and manual:

• Aperture priority allows the user to choose the aperture to be used consistently, and the camera’s internal light meter will automatically choose the shutter speed. This generally has the designation of an “A.”

• Shutter priority allows the user to choose the shutter speed to be used, and the camera’s internal light meter will automatically choose the appropriate aperture. Shutter priority is usually shown as an “S” on the mode dial.

• Program mode, shown as a “P” on the mode dial, means that the camera has synced both the shutter speed and the aperture and manually changing one setting will automatically change the other setting to compensate.

There are sometimes settings available that are fully automatic for specific situations. These are often referred to as program-automatic. This means that the camera will select the proper settings for your situation. Some of these settings are portrait, landscape, close-up, or sports. Your camera manual should specify if these are available and where the settings are located on your camera. They are usually found on the mode dial and are represented by small icons. —CWN