Page 54 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

52 EXPLAINING | EXPOSURE MODES

EXPOSURE MODES

Modern cameras include a wide range of These are ideal when you just want to pick up
exposure modes that are designed for specific your camera and shoot, but they prevent you
purposes. Consumer cameras usually include from making any decisions about exposure,
a number of highly automated scene modes. which limits how creative you can be.

MODE WHAT IT DOES

Program (P) is an automatic exposure use functions such as Exposure
mode. The camera sets both the aperture Compensation to adjust the exposure.
and shutter speed, usually favoring shutter Program also gives you full control of ISO
PROGRAM P speed to minimize camera shake. However, and image-adjustment options such as
you can still control exposure. You can alter White Balance. Program is good for social
the balance between aperture and shutter and holiday photography, when you have
speed using Program Shift; you can also less time to fine-tune exposure.
Aperture and Shutter Priority are semi- control over all other camera functions,
A automatic exposure modes. In Aperture including Exposure Compensation and
APERTURE Priority (A or Av), you select the required ISO. You should select Aperture Priority
PRIORITY aperture, letting the camera set the when you want full control over depth of
Av appropriate shutter speed to make a field. Small apertures, increasing depth of
field, are often used for landscapes, while
“correct” exposure. As in the Program
and Shutter Priority modes, you have full large apertures are ideal for portraits.
When you select Shutter Priority (S or is frozen, which is ideal for sports and
S Tv), you set the required shutter speed, wildlife. Fast shutter speeds also help to
SHUTTER leaving the camera to choose the reduce the effects of camera shake when
PRIORITY aperture. Use Shutter Priority when using telephoto lenses. Slower shutter
you want to control how movement is
speeds blur movement but increase
Tv captured in the final image. The faster the signs of camera shake.
the shutter speed, the more movement
There is no automation when using the adjustment to the settings. If you don’t,
Manual (M) mode because you have to the exposure will be incorrect. Manual

MANUAL M set both the shutter speed and aperture. mode is ideal when you want to shoot a
series of consistently exposed images, for
Check the exposure before every photo.
If the light levels change or you attach a techniques like the Brenizer method (see
filter, you must make the necessary pp.104–05), as well as when using flash.
If your exposure is longer than 30 seconds need longer shutter speeds, such as at
and you are setting the shutter speed in night, or if using dense neutral-density
BULB B Manual mode, Bulb (B) is the best option. (ND) filters. Movement such as traffic,
or stars moving across the night sky,
When Bulb is selected, you can lock the
shutter open by holding down the shutter will leave noticeable trails. To use Bulb
button or using the shutter lock on a successfully, you need a stopwatch, or
remote release. Bulb is useful when you a camera with a counter, and a tripod.

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