Using Your Digital SLR's Automatic Shooting Modes

Using automatic exposure modes is a helpful way to find out about photography while you’re having fun getting to know your digital single lens reflex (dSLR) camera. Most of the following automatic exposure modes are also practical for more experienced dSLR users:

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  Auto: The camera sets the exposure for you. All you need to do is frame the photo, press the shutter halfway down to focus and meter, and then continue to press the shutter to take the photo. Use this mode for general photography.

  
  


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  Scenes: Choose a scene that matches your subject or situation. Common scenes include Action, Portraits, Night, Fireworks, Close-up (Macro), Landscape, and more. The camera makes the proper adjustments to the aperture and shutter speed to match the conditions and sets the exposure automatically. Use scenes if you find that the camera isn’t adjusting to the conditions automatically.

  
  


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  Programmed Auto Exposure: The camera sets the shutter speed and aperture for you but leaves other controls (typically, things like white balance, flash, certain autofocus functions, and drive mode) in manual mode. Also known as Programmed Auto or Program AE.

  
  

  You may be able to choose from a range of preset solutions that set the aperture and shutter speed for you. This allows you some creative control in choosing the aperture or shutter speed you want. This is called Program shift or flexible program.

  
  

  Use this mode if you want to leave the camera in charge of exposure but want manual control over other settings.

  
  


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  Aperture Priority: You set the camera’s aperture, and the camera takes care of setting the correct shutter speed to create the proper exposure. Use this mode if you want creative control over the aperture.

  
  


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  Shutter Priority: You set the shutter speed, and the camera takes care of setting the correct aperture to create the proper exposure. Use this mode if you need to control shutter speed to prevent blurring and freeze the action.

  
  

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