Photo Exercise

Go through the different modes and make adjustments. Notice how the camera adjusts either your f/stop or shutter speed. Also, meter/focus in light and dark areas to see how this affects the settings the camera is adjusting for you.

Exposure modes are found on the Mode Dial of your camera. They are divided into two zones: Basic Zone and Creative Zone. The basic zone is based on totally automatic control and you have very little user control over the settings.

Quick Notes:
P – Program
This mode is ideal when you do not need a particular shutter speed or aperture value. You can change the ISO and some custom functions are available. In other words, it’s a step above Full Auto.

A/Av – Aperture-Priority
This mode is often used by professionals. The camera will control the shutter speed to achieve a proper exposure while you control the depth of field you want in your photo. You can indirectly control the shutter speed in this mode, but depending on your environment, the selected shutter could be too slow if you are hand-holding your camera on a shoot.

M – Manual
This mode, of course, gives you complete control over the camera. Most experienced users will use Manual mode if they have the time to get a proper exposure. This mode locks in your settings giving you the freedom to follow a subject and not have your exposure change.

Why Use Exposure Modes
As the photographer, you have more control over the camera so that you can achieve the effects you want right in the camera. The limitations of shooting in a full auto mode out-weigh any benefit you will gain by using them. Some of the limitations that you have are: No control over the light meter; The shutter and aperture values are set for you; You cannot select your own Auto Focus point; No RAW images are possible; No custom camera functions available. In our own opinion – buying a point-n-shoot would have been money better spent if you prefer shooting in the basic zone.

Aperture and Manual are All You Will Ever Need
Professional photographers will use these two modes, Aperture Priority and Manual. Some say that the “M” on the dial stands for “Master” instead of “Manual” because it really does require a master of skill to command full control of your camera.