Learn How to Use the Mode Dial
And Make Better Pictures
The Mode Dial! Yes, thats the funny one on top of the camera with all of the pictures on it. If you look at the dial carefully you will see it is divided into two major zones, one sub-zone. The major zones are Basic and Creative. Within the Basic Zone, you will find Full Automatic and the Image Zone.
The Basic Zone
The Basic Zone is a great place for a new photographer to start. You will capture acceptable images that will be fun to share with your family and friends.
Let's start with Full Automatic in the Basic Zone. Rotate the Mode Dial to the Box Icon. Press the shutter release halfway down and the auto focus system achieves focus on the object closest to the center of the image. The camera selects the f-stop and shutter speed for the best, notice I didn't say "perfect" exposure, and also fires the flash if it is needed. Full Automatic is basically a point-and-shoot mode.
On to the Images Mode. This is where you select an Icon which best represents your subject and the camera will be set for the best results. Again, not "perfect" but best!
So how does all of this happen? The engineers who designed your camera have done extensive research on what camera settings will give the best overall results in a certain situation and programed them into the camera.
Portrait Mode:
This Mode blurs the background to make the Subject stand out.
Landscape Mode:
This is for wide scenic views and night shots. You may need to use a tripod when using this mode at night.
Close-Up Mode:
This could also be referred to as the Macro Mode. Use this Mode when you want to get in close on flowers and insects.
Sports Mode:
This Mode is best used for fast-moving subjects when you want to "Freeze" action!
Night Portrait Mode:
This Mode is for shooting people outdoors at twilight or at night. A tripod may be required for the best image. If you want only to shoot a Night Scene, use Landscape Mode.
Flash Off Mode:
This Mode will disable the flash.
Sounds great! Why would you ever want to set the Mode Dial anywhere else? Because as you gain skill and confidence, you will start wanting to experiment with different settings. YOU are now becoming a "hands on" photographer, the one making the creative decisions. You didn't spend all of those hard-earned dollars on your camera to have someone else make those decisions for you! They are not looking through the viewfinder, You Are!
The Creative Zone
Here's where the real fun starts. You make the decisions, not the engineers! The Creative Zone on my camera has the following settings: A-DEP, M, Av, Tv and P. The Mode Dial on your camera may be silghtly different so check your Owner's Manual!
A-DEP
is selected for obtaining a wide depth of field automatically between a near subject and a far subject. The camera's auto focus system detects the the nearest and furthest subjects that will be in focus. This mode does not let you freely change the f-stop or shutter speed. I have never used this setting and believe that it belongs in the Basic Zone.
M
is for full Manual Control. You set the shutter speed and the f-stop to get the exposure you feel is correct, again I did not say "perfect", for the shot you are taking. I use this setting when photographing landscapes or buildings. Things that don't move around alot.
Av
means Aperture Value. This setting lets you choose the Aperture, or f-stop, you need to achieve the correct depth of field for a particular situation. The camera will then choose the shutter speed for an acceptable exposure. I use this setting quite often when photographing Wild Horses. Sometimes you just don't have the time to shoot in full manual when things are happening very fast all around you!
Remember:
The f-stop required to achieve a large depth of field may require a slow shutter speed to get the proper exposure. Tip: The mid-range f-stops for any given lens will make the sharpest images! When using Av, I usually choose f-8 or f-11 (if conditions allow) for acceptable depth of field and shutter speed.
Tv
stands for Time Value or Shutter Priority. In this mode, you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture value (f-stop) to suit the brightness of the subject. Use this setting when you want to freeze very fast action, like running horses. I don't use it often, but you might find it useful. Experiment!
P
stands for Program and AE for Auto Exposure. Like Full Auto Mode, this is a general purpose shooting mode. The camera automatically sets the Shutter Speed and the Aperture Value to suit the subject's brightness.
In Programe AE Mode, you can freely change the shutter speed and aperture value combination (program) set by the camera while maintaining the same exposure value. This is called Program Shift.
To do this, hold the shutter button half way down, then rotate the Main Dial until the desired shutter speed or aperture value is displayed. Program Shift is automatically cancelled after the image is captured.
The Program AE Mode allows you to use many functions not available to you in the Full Auto Mode. Check your User's Manual for functions available to you.
In the days of film, P on the Mode Dial was jokingly referred to as Professional Mode for beginning photographers and it's use was laughed at by many professionals. However, with the power of today's digital cameras it's use is becoming more common place by photographers of all levels.
I use it at times when photographing Wild Horses when the action is hot and heavy and there is a chance to miss any of it while changing aperture values of shutter speeds.
The Mode Dial De-mystified!
From fully automatic to full manual control and everywhere in between. Experiment with all of the settings to see which ones satisfy your needs. Don't think that "to be a Real Photographer" you always have to shoot in manual mode. "Real Photographers" use all of the tools at their disposal and the mode dial is one of them. You should too!
Happy Shooting!
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