Shooting Modes —- The first step to becoming a Professional Photographer
January 1, 2009
 |
 |
|||
| Mode Dial Selection Option | Menu Selection Option | |||
Major Categories of Shooting Modes: -
Automatic: - In automatic modes the camera determines all the shooting aspects as per situation be it choosing exposure parameters, focussing parameters, light sensitivity, white balance contrast etc. For example if you are focussing on a human face then the camera automatically increases the aperture area so as to capture the exact features of the face and avoid the background content, however if a sports event is to be captured then the camera reduces the aperture area and uses short shutter speed so as to capture the sports event correctly. This mode is basically useful for amateurs who want to try their hand at digital photography but are not familiar with the correct shooting modes.
Semi-Automatic: - In this mode the user can choose some modes while the camera adjusts the other features accordingly. The major types of semi-automatic modes are the shutter priority modes and aperture priority modes. The Semi-automatic modes are suited for people wanting to experiment with their cameras.
In the Shutter Priority mode; the user can choose the shutter speed, depending on this setting the camera adjusts the other settings. Like in low light situations you may want a slower shutter speed, thus once a slower shutter speed is selected the camera detects the conditions and adjusts accordingly to give the best possible shot.
In the Aperture Priority mode; the user can choose the aperture and the camera adjusts the ISO, white balance and shutter speed depending on the situation. In case you choose to have a higher aperture number then it indicates that the object will be more in focus and you will get finer details of the image; the background may not be shot properly. However a smaller aperture number indicates more area focused and lesser image details available.
Manual Mode: - In the manual mode the user has complete control over the camera settings. Depending on the situation, you can decide which mode to shoot in. You can determine the ISO, white balance, shutter speed, aperture, etc. as per the situation. However as a user you need to be aware of the functionality of each of the settings. Of course nobody is perfect; thus errors are bound to occur while choosing the settings. This may mean that you may select a slower shutter speed for capturing images in motion; this results in blurred images. But by trial and error you are sure to master this mode. This Manual Mode is useful for anyone who likes to experiment and learn things eventually mastering them.
To make things easy for camera fanatics; the manufacturers are now providing modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Twilight, Night, Kids, Snow etc., wherein the other settings are automatically adjusted. With more than 12-15 modes to choose from you now have a wide area to experiment and learn. Learning through experience is the best way to mastering a particular skill. So go get your camera and start playing with the various modes to conquer the world of digital photography.
Comments
Got something to say?
