Emma’s hands shook as she tried to take a good photo of the beautiful mountains. No matter what she did, her pictures didn’t turn out right. However, everything changed when she met Jack, who introduced her to a game-changing feature on her camera: Semi-Automatic Mode.
With Jack’s guidance, Emma learned how to use this powerful feature to capture stunning images. She found out that Semi-Automatic Mode is a compromise between manual and automatic modes, allowing her to control some settings while the camera controls others. Jack showed her the most common semi-automatic modes: aperture priority, shutter priority and program.
As the stars came out, Emma kept taking pictures, feeling more confident with each click. She was getting the hang of Semi-Automatic Mode! And now, you can too. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to master Semi-Automatic Mode and take your photography skills to the next level.
1. Aperture Priority Mode
Aperture priority is a camera mode in which you manually set your aperture, while the camera automatically selects a shutter speed.
That’s all there is to it. So, what makes aperture priority mode so valuable?
First, it gives you full control over the single most important setting in all of photography – aperture. (Manual mode is the only other way to get full control over aperture.) Get aperture right, and everything else follows.
Second, aperture priority mode is fast to use. That’s especially true compared to manual mode, which takes more time to set properly when the light is changing.
In short, if used right, aperture priority mode lets you pick the optimal camera settings – just like in manual mode – but more quickly.
Also, if we observe the relationship between Jack and Emma we find an illustration on how to use aperture mode optimally:
So, Emma turned the PSAM dial on her camera to “A” and looked at Jack expectantly.
“First, you need to select your aperture,” Jack explained. “Choose an f-stop that will give you the depth of field you want.” Emma thought for a moment before setting the aperture to f/8.
“Next, check your exposure compensation,” Jack said. “You don’t want to overexpose those beautiful mountains.” Emma nodded and set the exposure compensation to -0.3.
“Now, pick your ISO value,” Jack instructed. “Since we’re on a tripod and your subject isn’t moving, stick to base ISO – 100.” Emma set the ISO and looked at Jack triumphantly.
“That’s it!” Jack said. “Now your camera is set to capture stunning landscapes with minimal fuss. The aperture priority mode will adjust the shutter speed for you, so you can focus on composition and enjoying the view.”
So photo after photo, Emma realized how quick and easy Aperture Priority mode was to use. She could focus on her art, not just her camera settings. And with the camera set to “set-it-and-forget-it,” Emma could capture the beauty of the mountains without worrying about the technical details.
“Aperture priority mode offers the perfect blend of creative control and convenience, allowing photographers to swiftly select optimal camera settings, rivaling the precision of manual mode.”
— David Busch, “Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO”, (Page 123), Rocky Nook, 2018.
Additionally, choosing a mode depends on your skill level, your goals, and your shooting conditions – whether you’re capturing the vibrant colors of Lagos markets or the majestic grandeur of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
As a general rule, use manual mode when you have time to adjust settings and want a specific effect, like the golden hour glow on the beaches of Miami. Use automatic mode when time is short and you want to seize the moment, like during a dynamic Afrobeat performance in Abuja.
Semi-automatic modes strike a balance between control and convenience, ideal for adjusting one or two settings while exploring the beauty of a scene.
To effectively use different modes, understand how to read the light meter and histogram, use exposure compensation, set metering modes, adjust white balance, and select focus modes.
These tools will help you navigate various lighting conditions, from the bright sunlight of the Sahara Desert to the soft glow of the New York City skyline at dusk.
Also, when shooting handheld, aperture priority mode might not be the best choice, especially in low-light conditions like a bustling nightclub in Los Angeles or a traditional wedding in Kano. Increase your ISO or use Auto ISO with a built-in shutter speed limiter to ensure sharp images.
Also, you should check out this blog post if you need further details on some of the settings mentioned.
2. Shutter Priority Mode
Shutter Priority mode lets you choose the shutter speed, and the camera automatically adjusts the other settings to get the right exposure. You can find Shutter Priority mode on your camera’s mode dial, usually labeled as “S” or “tv”. This mode helps you control the amount of time the camera’s shutter is open, and the camera does the rest to get the perfect shot.
For example, Emma was excited to photograph her friend’s soccer game. She wanted to capture the players’ movements with clarity and precision. Jack, suggested using Shutter Priority mode.
“Set the shutter speed to 1/1000th of a second,” Jack advised. “This will freeze the action and make the players look sharp.”
Emma turned the mode dial to “S” (Shutter Priority) and set the shutter speed to 1/1000th of a second. The camera automatically adjusted the aperture and ISO settings to ensure proper exposure.
As Emma took photos of the game, she noticed that the camera was using a wider aperture (f/2.8) and a higher ISO (400) to compensate for the fast shutter speed. This allowed her to capture the players’ movements without worrying about aperture or ISO settings.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Emma exclaimed.
“I can focus on capturing the action, and the camera takes care of the rest.”
Jack smiled. “That’s the power of Shutter Priority mode. It lets you prioritize time and speed, while the camera handles the rest.”
Furthermore, shutter speed is the key tool photographers use to control time, one of the fundamental parts of photography’s exposure triangle.
“Shutter Priority mode empowers photographers to seize control of time itself, freezing or blurring the world with a twist of the dial, as the camera harmonizes the other settings for a perfect exposure.”
— Tony Northrup, “Tony Northrup’s Photography Buying Guide”, (Page 145), Mason Press, 2019
Exposure is a foundational principle of photography. It’s the amount and quantity of light that reaches a camera’s sensor, forming an image.
“Let’s practice with shutter speed,” Jack said. “We’ll start with a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion of this moving car.”
Emma set the shutter speed to 1/1000th of a second and snapped a photo of the car whizzing by. The image was crisp and clear, with no motion blur.
Next, Jack asked Emma to try a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of a dancer. Emma set the shutter speed to 1 second and took a photo of the dancer spinning around. The image showed a beautiful blur, conveying the sense of motion and energy.
“Wow, I love how the slow shutter speed captures the movement!” Emma exclaimed.
Jack smiled. “Yes, slow shutter speeds can create stunning effects. And with long exposure photography, you can leave the shutter open for minutes to capture incredible trails of light and motion.”
So with different shutter speeds, you can capture the world around you in new and creative ways, regardless of your gear. But if you’re struggling with gear addiction or blaming your equipment for poor images, you should definitely check out this blog post.
3. Program Mode
This mode allows you to set a variable such as the ISO, and the camera will choose an aperture and shutter speed based on those inputs.
Program mode is marked by ‘P’ on your camera’s mode dial and is one of the Creative Zone modes, though one with the least control over your exposure settings.
Emma was getting more comfortable with her camera, and Jack suggested she try Program mode. “It’s like Full Auto, but with more control,” he explained.
In Program mode, the camera automatically set both the shutter speed and aperture. Emma took a few photos, and was impressed with the results. But then Jack showed her something new – Program shift.
“This is where Program mode gets really powerful,” Jack said. “You can adjust the shutter speed and aperture, while keeping the same exposure. It’s like having the best of both worlds.”
Emma’s eyes widened as she experimented with Program shift. She could change the shutter speed to freeze or blur motion, while keeping the same exposure. She could also adjust the aperture to change the depth of field, while keeping the same exposure.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Emma exclaimed. “I feel like I have so much more control over my photos.”
Jack smiled. “That’s the power of Program mode. It’s like Full Auto, but with a brain. And with Program shift, you can really get creative.”
Emma was excited to keep exploring Program mode and Program shift. If you explore it as well you’ll feel the same excitement, like you’re finally unlocking the secrets of your camera, and it’ll take your photography to the next level.
Also, if you’re using program mode to take pictures, it’s nice to get client testimonials, especially if you’re into photography as a business. This video will help you achieve it.
Conclusion
Therefore, mastering the semi-automatic mode of your camera involves aperture priority, shutter priority and program mode. If you make use of these modes you’ll be able to use your camera to the fullest.
Also, if you’re interested in building an online presence with the images you capture in semi-automatic mode you should check out this video.
What’s been your experience with camera modes?
