Camera Modes and Functions

Automatic Modes

 Auto Mode
 Portrait Mode
 Landscape
 Macro
 Sports
 Night Portrait
 No Flash
 Auto Mode

 The camera decides on the Shutter Speed, ISO , Aperture and Flash
 It will do so based on the external light conditions
 No Control on Camera Settings
 Good for people who have recently purchased one
 Gives good results in daylight and evenly lit situations
 AVOID SHOOTING AUTO !! if you want to grow as a Photographer
 Portrait Mode
 Used for Portraits i.e. Shooting People
 Camera Automatically selects Wide aperture or
smaller F-stop number
 Small F-Stop number means Shallow/Narrow Depth of Field
 Shallow Depth of Field ensures that the Background
is Out of Focus
 The Subjects Stands out in the frame
 Pleasing effect for Portraits.
 Shallow DoF in Portrait Mode
Shallow DoF Large DoF
 Landscape Mode
 Used for shooting Landscapes
 Almost opposite of Portrait Mode
 Camera Automatically selects Smaller aperture or
Large F-stop number
 Large F-Stop number means higher Depth of Field
 Higher depth of field ensures that everything in the frame
is in focus.
 Good for shooting Wide landscapes.
Large DoF in Landscape Mode Eg. 1
Eg. 2
 Macro Mode
 Good for Close ups
 Lets you get very close to the subject
 Good for Shooting Insects, Flowers and small objects.
 Camera automatically selects a very small F-number or a
wide Aperture
 Wide Aperture means Shallow/Narrow Depth of Field
 One has to be very steady when using this mode.
 Using a Tripod/Camera Stand can be handy here.
Examples of Macro Mode
 Sports Mode

 Used for shooting fast moving objects or people

 Can be used for Shooting Sports, Pets, Cars and Wildlife
 Anything that moves Fast or Erratically
 Camera will try to freeze the subject
 Uses the fastest Shutter speed available at the time.
 Works best in Good lighting conditions.
Fast Shutter Speed Eg.1
 Fast Shutter Speed Eg.1
1/500 Sec
Eg. 2
 Eg. 2

1/2000 Sec
 Night Portrait/Night
Mode
 Used for Shooting in Nights in low light condition
 E.g. Parties, Homes, Weddings etc.
 Camera will use a slower shutter speed, wide aperture
and high ISO
 Images can be a bit blurry if camera is not held properly.
 Camera may also use flash if light is very poor
 No Flash
Normally used in Evenings or Night.
 Camera will not use Flash in this mode
 Used in Museums or while shooting landscapes at night.
Also used to capture sporting events in low light
E.g. Indoor sports like Badminton, Martial Arts,
sports played at night.
 Camera uses a wide aperture and depending on light condition
a corresponding Shutter Speed and ISO
Examples of No Flash
 Examples of No Flash
Shutter Speed: 13 Seconds
 Some Other Modes

 Panorama Mode- Used for making Panoramas

or really wide angle scenes.
 Snow mode- Used when shooting in areas with Snow.
 Fireworks Mode- Very hand when shooting fireworks
especially Rockets bursting in Sky.
 Beach Mode: Used for scenes with very bright and harsh light
 Kids/Pets Mode: Essentially almost same as Sports mode
 Semi Automatic Modes

 Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av)

 Shutter Priority Mode (S or Tv)
 Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A)
We select the desired F-Stop or Aperture
value
 Camera will control the Shutter Speed
 We control ISO , White Balance and flash
with this mode
 Normally used when Depth of Field (DoF)
is the main area of Interest.
Requires Practice to get it right.
Can be used very creatively while composing
Images
Small F- Number for Shallower DoF
Larger F-Number or higher DoF
 Shutter Priority Mode (S or Tv)
 We select the desired Shutter Speed
 Camera will select the Corresponding F-Stop
 We control ISO , White Balance and flash
 Creative Part of Image Making
 Requires Practice to get it right.
 Normally used when one requires a higher shutter speed
for shooting fast moving objects.(e.g. Sports)
 Also used when the requirement in
slower shutter speeds (e.g. Shooting Waterfalls)
Slower Shutter Speed
 Slower Shutter Speed
Shutter Speed: 1/8 Sec
Creative use of Shutter speed to Show Motion: See Wings
 Creative use of Shutter speed to Show Motion: See Wings

Shutter Speed:1/250 Sec

 M Mode or the Fully Manual Mode

 The user has full control on the camera settings

 Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO and white
balance is selected by the user
 Creative part of Image making
 Requires good practice and understanding of light to
use and Master.
Examples of Manual Mode
 Examples of Manual Mode
Shutter Speed :3 Minutes
Torch light used to paint foreground
Eg. 2
 Eg. 2
Shutter Speed: 2Mins 50 Seconds