Automatic Digital Camera Modes

 

Automatic Mode

There is probably not a lot of instruction needed on this one. It is the most used setting by most photographers. The Automatic mode puts the camera in control. It will set the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, focus and flash to take the best shot based upon what it sees in the sensor. Cameras do differ in this mode. Some will let you control some things such as flash or change it to red eye reduction. This mode works great in average shooting conditions. The thing you want to remember is that in this mode you are not telling the camera anything about the subject and the shooting conditions. When you use the other modes you are telling the camera a little more about the subject. Just like people, cameras like to know what is going on too.

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Portrait Mode

You should select Portrait mode when you want to take a photograph of a person. The best portraits are taken when the subject matter is in sharp focus, but the background is out of focus. The camera achieves this by choosing a wide lens opening, or aperture. This minimizes the depth of field. (Depth of field is defined as the area that is in focus.)

This effect causes the background behind the person to become slightly blurred, while still retaining a sharp focus on the subject. The camera's flash may also be set to the “red-eye reduction” mode.

Check out this mode when taking pictures. It will give your portraits a more informal look.

Macro Mode

Macro mode lets you move closer to your subject for close-ups. It’s great for shooting flowers, insects or small objects. Each camera manufacturer will have different specs and different capabilities in this mode.

When you use macro mode you’ll notice that focusing is more difficult and that the depth of field is very narrow. Keep your camera and the object you’re photographing parallel if possible or you’ll find a lot of it will be out of focus. You may also find that the built on flash is not as effective. It may overexpose the subject or not light is well. As a suggestion purchase an inexpensive desktop tripod to help steady your camera.

Landscape Mode

This mode is almost the exact opposite of portrait mode in that it sets the camera up with a small aperture. The landscape mode of your digital camera is your best option when you want to maintain as much detailed image within your digital photograph as possible, using landscape mode minimizes the size of the lens opening-the aperture, this results in the maximum depth of field available.

At times your camera might also select a slower shutter speed in this mode (to compensate for the small aperture) so you might want to consider a tripod or other method of ensuring your camera is still. Pay attention to what the camera tells you when taking pictures.

The thing to remember about this mode is that it will attempt to maximize the area in focus.

Sports Mode

Photographing moving objects is where you will want to use the sports or action mode. This mode is ideal for moving objects including sports, pets, cars, wildlife etc. Sports mode attempts to freeze the action by increasing the shutter speed. As a trade off it will also reduce the depth of field be opening up the f-stop. When photographing fast moving subjects you can also increase your chances of capturing them by panning of your camera. Panning is the act of following a subject with the camera before taking the photograph. It takes some practice but it can help you create more stunning photographs by blurring the background.

Night Mode

This can be a fun mode to use. With it you can create some wonderfully colorful and interesting shots. Night mode, sometimes called, ’slow shutter sync’ is for shooting in low light situations. It works by setting your camera to use a longer shutter speed, increases the ISO, and fires off a flash to illuminate the foreground (and subject). If you use this mode for a ’serious’ or well balanced shot you should use a tripod or your background will be blurred by camera movement. You should experiment with this mode as it can give you some very creative images.

Movie Mode

This mode lets you take short movies with your camera. Most new consumer digital cameras come with a movie mode that records both video and sound. The quality is generally not up to video camera standards but it’s a handy mode to have when you come across that perfect subject that just can’t be captured with a still image. Keep in mind that moving images take up significantly more space on your memory card than still images.

Other modes often seen on cameras

Additional Semi-Automatic Modes

Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)

This mode allows you to choose the aperture and let's the camera chooses the other settings (shutter speed, white balance, ISO etc). Remember that the aperture controls the dept of field. It can be a great mode for portraits or scenic's. Choosing a larger number aperture means the aperture (or the opening in your camera when shooting) is smaller and lets less light in. This means you’ll have a larger depth of field (more of the scene will be in focus) but that your camera will choose a slower shutter speed. Remember that with the f-stop a larger number means less light passes through the lens so you will need a slower shutter speed or higher ISO.

Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)

Shutter priority is very similar to aperture priority mode but is the mode where you select a shutter speed and the camera chooses the other settings. You would use this mode where you want to control over shutter speed. For example when photographing moving subjects (like sports) you might want to choose a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion. On the flip-side of this you might want to capture the movement as a blur of a subject like a waterfall and choose a slow shutter speed. You might also choose a slow shutter speed in lower light situations.

Program Mode (P)

Some digital cameras have this mode in addition to auto mode (in a few cameras Program mode IS full Auto mode.) In those cameras that have both, Program mode is similar to Auto but gives you a little more control over some other features including flash, white balance, ISO etc. Check your digital camera’s manual for how the Program mode differs from Automatic in your particular model.

Manual Mode

Manual Mode

This is the mode for the brave at heart. You are fully in control of all settings. If you are serious about learning photography this is the mode you will learn to use.

 

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