Lesson 2.1: Know your camera: Mode Dial

Selecting an exposure mode is just not a technical ability, it give you the freedom of worrying less about settings. A DSLR offers you to a number of different modes which are specialised to work in different situations, e.g. macro/close-ups, motion, portraits. Although very honestly speaking, these modes could be ignored as soon as you master all the set ups in Manual mode (which denotes on the top dial as "M"). But before you master it or if I could say, to master M mode, you need to learn these set ups through these modes. Often you can also remember these aperture and shutter release set ups for your own good.

1. Automatic mode: In most DSLR's it is denoted as "AUTO" or a "GREEN SQUARE". This Mode is completely for the beginners as I should say. It converts a DSLR into a "Point & Shoot" camera. Once in this mode, camera controls exposures, aperture and shutter speed.
2. Program mode: Marked as "P". This mode sets up shutter speed and aperture though, you can still control ISO, WB (White Balance), Exposure Compensation and use the flexibility of AEL (Auto Exposure Lock) and override DSLR's suggested settings
3. Aperture Priority mode: "A" or "Av(Aperture Value)" in most cameras. This semi-automatic mode offers you to control Aperture with which you can control sharpness, blurred background. Most of all you can control the Depth Of Field (DOF) while camera sets up the shutter speed. Although you can still override them changing ISO or Exposure value. Used for Macro or Close-up shots where details are foremost demand.
4. Shutter Priority mode: Denoted as "S" or "Tv(Time Value)". In this mode you set up Shutter speed and camera suggests Aperture. Normally used for Panning, landscapes and some other creative shootings where MOTION is primary. Point to be noted, you can also override the Aperture setting as mentioned earlier.
5. Manual mode: Pointed as "M" in all cameras I'd say. Offers you to control all the aperture and shutter settings including EV (Exposure Value) metering, ISO everything and everything, I mean. In a short cut, you control everything your camera possibly has and be the master of it. But as I said earlier, you need to gain some experiences before you switch to fully manual mode.
6. Bulb mode: Denoted as "B" or"Bulb". All you have to do is, set the aperture and then when you press the Shutter button (for some cameras press and hold that button), shutter remains open (for 8 minutes highest for most cameras) and records everything. Well the best thing to use this mode is a remote. Apparently just to let you know this mode ideal for night photography.

There are also some other modes like "Sv (Sensitivity Value)" but I have hardly found them on these days DSLRs. That mode actually controls ISO and when you set up ISO, camera sets up Aperture and Shutter speed.

One very quick note about ISO, The higher the ISO is, the more details you get. So higher ISO puts more light on the sensor overexposing the sensor and then shutter speed controls that exposure. Also one more thing you want to know is, higher aperture lets more light coming in through the lens (higher aperture, f1.4 and lower f18). So lower numeric values denotes higher aperture. See how aperture works

Also some other modes like, Portrait, Landscape, Macro even more precisely Fireworks, Snow, Natural lights (and so on) are available on different cameras. All you got to do is try them out. It does not either mean that, you can not use them auto modes using a DSLR nor its not dumb to use them while using a DSLR. Its always about technology and good picture, however you shoot them.

Well that's it for now, I'll be writing up some more about focussing and drive modes in the next lesson. So keep on following and enjoy!

Continue to lesson 2.2