Your Camera's Modes

by Mike Schumacher

Your camera has different shooting modes for different situations.

Most cameras have a simple point a shoot mode which allows for the least creativity. The camera sets most of the parameters and allows the least human intervention. The next step up (on Canon, I'm not sure about Nikon) is a P – program mode. This still sets aperture and shutter speed but allows the user to set different relationships between aperture and shutter speed with the spin of a dial. Slower shutter speed and smaller aperture or faster shutter speed and wider aperture. Many other options can be set including choice of raw or jpg, type of metering etc. This is fine for some pictures but not all.

Three other modes allow for the most creativity.

TV - time value or shutter speed priority. In this mode the user sets the shutter speed and the camera sets the correct aperture. This is very useful when the subject is fast moving and you want to freeze it such as sports, car racing etc or you want to emphasize movement such as in a slow shutter speed to show motion in a waterfall. This is a good mode for nature photography such as fast moving critters. Using a telephoto lens often requires a fast shutter speed to prevent ‘lens blur’. The use of a tripod is recommended with a telephoto but not always practical or possible. One way is to use the focal length of the lens as the shutter speed. If the focal length is 250mm use 1/250 sec or faster shutter speed.

AV – aperture value or aperture priority. In this mode the user sets the aperture and the camera sets the correct shutter speed. This can be used for creative depth of field compositions. This is a great mode for landscape and close-up photography where depth of field (or lack of it) is the main criteria. The photographer can use depth of field as well as composition to direct the viewers eye in the photograph.

M – or manual mode. This mode allows for the most control of the camera. The user sets both the aperture and shutter speed. This can be used in with the cameras metering to control all aspects of the exposure.

All 3 of these modes can be used for night photography.

In the manual mode using the cameras spot or partial metering take a reading on the area of the composition you want to emphasize and set the appropriate aperture and shutter speed. You can then re-compose your picture.

In aperture or shutter priority modes you can focus on depth of field or blur car headlights. These modes will work if there are no extremes of light. You can use the above method of metering and re-compose.

With night photography bracketing is very useful. Make multiple (usually 3) exposures above and below the desired exposure. That would be one exposure at the desired exposure and one above and one below.

A tripod is essential if you want sharp photos.