Digital Camera Settings

Generic mode dial for digital cameras showing some of the most common modes. (Actual mode dials can vary from camera to camera. For example, point-and-shoot cameras don't often have manual modes.) Manual modes: Manual (M), Program (P), Shutter priority (S), Aperture priority (A). Automatic modes: Auto, Action, Portrait, Night portrait, Landscape, Macro.

Technology is a wonderful thing. Each year Digital camera manufacturers come out with new models, enhancements and products two or three times a year, each company constantly trying to one up the other. Now they've gone nuts with the types and sheer number of scene modes being added to the new digital cameras. Camera scene modes are a simple way for you to command the camera to "automatically" adjust to the type of photo you are shooting instead of making all the settings by hand. Your camera will optimize the settings for that particular shot and in some modes determine whether or not the flash fires, other modes change how colors are recorded. A trend has started by the camera manufactures to add special effects and other bells and whistles that you'll probably never use. How many times will you need a pastel color mode? Do you need a Starburst effect?  Even the Sepia mode is not necessary. a simple mouse click in Photoshop and you've got Sepia. If you're like the majority people, you'll only use a few of the scene modes on your camera.

Automatic scene modes

Some cameras have tens of modes. Many cameras do not document exactly what their many modes do; for full mastery of the camera one must experiment with them.

In general: These are 5 of the modes you'll probably use most often.

1. Beach/Snow Mode - For those times you are near the beach or deep in snow country. Camera light meters are calibrated to a medium tone. Very bright or very dark scenes are not recorded properly. The beach/Snow scene mode is for all of those bright scenes, large areas of water on a sunny day, long white sandy beaches and  snow covered mountains. These are the times the Beach/Snow mode was created for. Instead of manually setting the camera. you are telling it that your subject is very bright and the camera will automatically compensate. Instead of boring blah snow it will be recorded bright and white as it should be

2. Landscape Mode - The right choice for the breathtaking views you shoot. Scenic vistas of beach, city skylines, a field of flowers, and the mountains, are all primary uses for Landscape mode. Your digital camera selects an exposure combination to maximize what's in focus from front to back. Although it's not absolutely necessary, using some kind of support or a tripod can make a difference. Move around to find the best vantage point. Sometimes a minor shift up or down, left or right will make the difference between a mediocre snapshot and a treasured photograph.

3. Portrait Mode - Is for shooting people photos. Be it a single person or a group of people, use the Portrait mode. Your digital camera will select the appropriate shutter speed and aperture combination to capture the subject and blur the background. A good portrait makes the background less distracting. The new digital cameras incorporate autofocus technology that scans the photo looking for faces. This is normally  called Face Priority or Face Detection. It especially helps when you use the rule of thirds or when you have a group of people. Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony and other manufacturers are putting this technology in many of their new cameras. Check your owners manual to see if your digital camera uses this technology and whether it' comes pre-set or if you have to manually enable it.

4.Sports Mode - Baseball, kids soccer or a football game, Sports Mode is designed to help you stop the action. Your digital camera will set the shutter speed as high as possible for the lighting conditions in order to stop action. Sports mode also sets your camera to Continuous shooting mode (hold the button down and shoot 3-4 photos in a row) and turns the flash off. Many times, the ISO will be set to 400, 800 or more. Get as close as you can for the best sports and action photos. Get physically close, on the sidelines if possible. Move up and down the field with the action. (practically impossible at a hockey game.) Next zoom your lens to Best Prices for the desired shot. Also take a few wide shots to show off the action, along with tight shots of one or more players. This way you can tell the story better. Be sure to pay attention to what's happening in the game. You may have to rush out of the players way.

5. Sunrise/Sunset Mode - All the previous Scene Modes change the aperture or shutter speed, Sunrise/Sunset mode changes how the colors in the scene are recorded. Sunrise and sunset are times when the world is bathed in beautiful warm light. Photographers refer to this as Golden Light or the Golden Hours. The goal is to record the beautiful quality of light at these times of day. By using this mode instead of always leaving your camera in Auto mode you'll capture that beautiful light and dramatic colors. Try this mode the next time you photograph a sunset and you'll visually see the difference.

There are times when you may want to manually want to control the camera with if you have a DSLR camera you probably have a mode dial. Many point and shoot cameras also have a mode dial or these controls may be in a menu.

Manual modes

• P: Program mode offers partial control over shutter speed and aperture.
• Tv or S: Shutter priority controls the shutter speed, and aperture is calculated by the camera.
• Av or A: Aperture priority controls the aperture, and the shutter is calculated by the camera.
• M: Manual mode controls shutter speed and aperture independently.

The next time you read your manual,  check out all the scene modes your digital camera has on it's mode dial or menu. Perhaps there are a few that you haven't tried and find them useful for your shooting style. Try them all, you'll improve the photos you shoot.

See also

• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Mode dial
• Digital camera
• Digital DSLR camera

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