Operating Modes
- Turning on the camera
Operating modes are the most basic, and essentially tell the camera
whether to take pictures or display them. Some cameras only have "on" and
"off". Operating modes can usually be found on buttons or dials on the
camera body.
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Basic Camera Operating Modes: |
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Description |
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Picture taking mode - record. After the camera is in record mode, you
can select a shooting mode
(sometimes a button labeled "power") |
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takes a digital
camera OUT of shooting mode and allows the user to view and edit
stored images. (sometimes found on shooting mode dial) |
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Completely switches off the
camera, usually a button labeled "off" (sometimes a button labeled
"power") |
Camera Modes
Old fashioned cameras have one mode.. manual. Camera settings would
have to be figured out by the photographer, along with focus.
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typical camera mode dial |
Modern cameras can do all this automatically, but
sometimes they need help. By choosing a shooting mode you give the
camera hints about what you want, and it will try to deliver.
Know
your modes!
Like riding a bicycle, operating your camera should become second
nature.
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Point and
Shoot: Auto/Program Mode
Of all the shooting modes, Auto/Program is probably the most useful. Most
people don't really want to learn about how a camera works, and point and
shoot photography is the perfect solution.
The fully automatic (A)uto or (P)rogram
mode is the default for most modern cameras. The photographer can simply
aim, press the button, and almost be guaranteed a great image.
point and
shoot photography is not second class!
Even professionals will happily switch to program mode so they can
concentrate on getting the shot instead of exposure calculations.
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Auto/Program Camera Modes: |
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Description |
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The camera will
completely control flash and exposure. On most cameras this is
labelled "auto", on others simply "A". Some cameras only have (P)rogram. |
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automatic-assist, just
point and shoot. Unlike full auto mode, you can usually control flash
and a few other camera settings. |
More Common
Shooting Modes:
While (P)rogram is the most important for everyday use, most cameras have
dozens more.. it's like having an assistant photographer inside your
camera who tries to figure out what you need.
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Common Camera Modes: |
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Description |
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In
movie mode, Digital cameras can capture live streaming video. |
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this mode used for taking close-up pictures. |
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longer exposures to capture darker scenes. Usually used with flash,
and some nice motion effects can be created. |
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To attempt to blur out
the background, camera will try to use the fastest available lens
setting (aperture). |
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camera
will attempt capture detail in foreground and background by using high
f-stop (aperture) settings. |
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To freeze motion, camera will use
the highest shutter speed possible. |
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For creating multi-shot panoramas,
this mode will help to combine several shots into one wide scene. Good
fun. |
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Photographer sets the aperture (f-stop) and the camera will attempt to
deliver a good exposure. Some cameras use an "A" icon instead of "Av"
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Photographer sets the shutter, and the camera will attempt to deliver
a good exposure. Some cameras use an "S" icon instead of "Tv"
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Full manual mode, the
photographer must set both the shutter and the aperture. mode.
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