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Article source: digital photo frame.

 

There are several ways to help the camera decide how you would like to take a picture.  These decisions are called Camera Capture modes.  Most people get hung up on all the acronyms and symbols and fail to venture away from full Auto due to fear and intimidation.

It is not as scary as you think.  Up to now you have learned how to compose a picture, how the camera functions, and what constitutes an exposure.  Now it is time to learn how to control the camera so you get the exposure you want without using Auto Mode.

 

Figure 1 Olympus E-30 Mode Selection Dial

 

Every camera has multiple modes that are found on the Mode Selection Dial.  These camera modes grant you the ability to tell the camera how to do its job.  I like to think of these as commands. 

 

You can command the camera to do a lot of things like;

Auto, “Hey, do everything for me!”

or Aperture Priority Mode, “Hey, mind the Shutter Speed.  I will take the Aperture with me on the flank!”

or Manual Mode, “Hey, I got this, just sit there and look pretty!”

I guess it makes me feel more important when I think of myself as a commander of the camera.

 

 

Auto Mode

Figure 2 Auto Mode highlighted

 

Auto Mode is usually annotated by the word Auto or A+.  You may have heard the phrase “Full Auto”.  While that term is partially correct the camera is not quite doing everything for you. 

In Auto Mode the camera is selecting the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO.  Your job is to compose, focus and meter for the photo. 

If you plan on shooting casual photos Auto Mode may work just fine.  However, if you want to get the most out of your camera and exploit the capabilities of the Aperture and Shutter Speed settings, you will need to get a better understanding of the rest of the camera capture modes.

PROS of Auto Mode

-  The decision making is up to the camera, you are free to snap away.

-  Great for quick-candid “just capture the moment” times.

CONS of Auto Mode

-  No control over Depth of Field due to the automatic nature of the Aperture.

-  Many cameras operate in safe zones while in Auto mode.  The camera may not select the lowest or highest apertures, slow shutter speeds or low ISO’s which limits the full capabilities of your camera.

 

Scene Modes

Figure 3 Scene Modes highlighted

 

Depending on the make and model of your DSLR you may be presented with a series of Scene Modes.  These are pre-programmed modes that have been added to your camera by the manufacture.  They may be found on the dial itself or they may be hidden somewhere in the camera menu. As usual, consult with your manual for more information about your specific camera.

These Modes are intended to be used for the scene or subject you are about to photograph, i.e. Sports, Night Time, Portrait, Macro, or Landscape.  When you switch the Mode Selection Dial to one of the Scene Modes your camera will attempt to optimize the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO for the mode you selected. 

For instance, if you select the Action Mode, the camera will optimize the ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed for action shots.  It may select a large aperture to increase the shutter speed, select a fast shutter speed, or select a higher ISO to increase the shutter speed as well.  It may also override the cameras rate of fire to capture more photos per second to keep up with high speed movement.

While scene modes can be helpful, you are leaving a lot of critical decisions up to the camera. 

PROS of Scene Modes

-  They are like a smart Auto Mode as they operate in more narrow conditions tailored to the specific shooting condition you may find yourself in.

-  They work relatively well for the environments you have modes for.

CONS of Scene Modes

-  Changing from one scene to the next quickly to accommodate changing conditions may be difficult, especially if the scene modes are hidden in the camera menu.

-  Some scene modes do not allow you to override the aperture or shutter speed limiting your ability to make creative depth of field decisions.