Camera Modes Explained

After a recent Facebook poll I decided to post about the different modes you may see on your camera and what your camera does when you select each mode.  Not all cameras have the same modes so if there is one I don't cover that you would like more information on please comment below and I will see what I can do to help you out.

Automatic

As the name implies the camera does all the thinking for you and determines the shutter speed, aperture, flash,  and sometimes ISO for you.  Some cameras allow you to turn off or adjust the automatic ISO feature.  The camera doesn't know what you are trying to achieve so it does what it thinks is necessary to get a proper exposure.  My belief is that you should always be thinking when you are taking a picture and as such you should probably stay away from the automatic mode. 

Program

This is similar to Automatic and is a good mode for beginners.  Unlike Automatic, once the camera determine what settings should be used, you may then make adjustments to what you think they should be.

Aperture Priority

With this mode you are starting to make your way towards total control over the image.  You select the aperture (which controls depth of field) and the camera will determine a shutter speed for a correct exposure.  For example if you are taking a portrait and want the background out of focus you would select a wider aperture (lower number).

Shutter Priority

This is the reverse of Aperture Priority.  Here you select the shutter speed and the camera will adjust the aperture to give you a proper exposure.  This is useful when you aren't picky about the aperture but you don't want the shutter speed to change.

Manual

Once you have learned the basics it is time to move into Manual Mode.  This gives you full control over ISO, aperture, shutter, and white balance. With complete control over all settings you can create whatever look you are envisioning.  After some practice you will discover times when certain situations can fool your camera's computer brain.  Using Manual will allow you to make adjustments to overcome those obstacles.

This image was shot in Aperture Priority and manual focus. I set the aperture at f/10 so the stem and buds would be in focus while the background would be out of focus.  Knowing that an aperture of f/10 would yield a shutter speed that would be difficult to hand hold I bumped the ISO up to 500 which gave me a shutter speed of 1/60 sec.