Camera Picture Modes
Digital cameras are essentially computers with software programmed to do some very specific things (take pictures, communicate with computer, sense light etc.), the camera manufacturers have pre-programmed these shooting modes. These shooting modes allow an amateur to set the camera like a pro to get the desired effects. The name of some of the picture taking modes below may vary from camera to camera. Be sure to consult your manual to see what your specific picture mode is named. Below are some of the most prevalent picture taking modes on most cameras available today.
Auto - The camera automatically selects settings based on lighting and ISO setting
Standard Camera Settings (you'd find these on most quality film cameras):
P - Program AE - Use the program AE mode to have the camera automatically set the shutter speed and aperture value to match the brightness of the scene.
TV - Shutter Speed Priority - The photographer selects the Shutter Speed. The camera automatically selects an aperture value to match the brightness of scene you are shooting. Faster shutter speeds allow you to catch an instantaneous image of a moving subject while slower speeds create a flowing effect and allow you to shoot without a flash in dark areas.
AV - Aperture Priority - The photographer sets the Aperture (size of the camera opening). Selecting a lower aperture value (opening the aperture) allows you to blur the background and create a beautiful portrait. A higher aperture value (closing it) brings the entire range from foreground to background into focus. The larger the aperture value, the greater the range of the image brought into clear focus. The range of selectable apertures depends on the capabilities of your lens.
M - Manual Exposure - The photographer sets the Shutter Speed as well as the Aperture.
Enhanced Settings:
Portrait - The camera sets the aperture so that the background is blurred and the subject is clearly focuses.
Landscape - The camera sets the aperture for great depth of field for large and deep image settings.
Close-up/Macro - Camera settings are set to capture the details and definitions of up close photography.
Sports - The camera sets the shutter speed to allow for capture of sports action without blurring the resulting photos.
Night Portrait - Camera settings that allow both the subject and the background to be clearly captured.
These are the 10 main picture taking modes available on many (but not all) cameras. There are additional picture modes available in a lot of cameras on the market. These picture modes should allow the majority of picture takers to take the photos that they want to take.
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