To save photographers time, many digital cameras nowadays are prepared with a number of preset settings; each function is designed with particular configurations for the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and other attributes. Instead of driving the photographer to manually modify every individual setting, a sole click of a button or rotation of a switch modifies them instantly.
Below, we will investigate the most frequent settings offered on current digital cameras. Some, like auto mode, may already be comfortable to you. Others may be less so. By acquainting yourself with each preset, you'll possess a better understanding concerning when to utilize them toward producing stunning photographs.
Automatic Mode
If you are a newer photographer, start with this preset; it was designed to allow people to just frame their shots and click the button. The blend of aperture, flash, shutter speed, and other settings is designed to create attractive photographs regardless of your subject or the environments in which you're filming. It can be used to take portraits, landscapes, and to a smaller extent, motion shots.
The critical factor to bear in mind is this: your digital camera has very little information relating to what you are trying to photograph. That means it is forced to speculate; while the photos may turn out fairly well, additional presets might prove more accommodating.
Panoramic Mode
This function decreases your aperture to offer a larger depth of field. The advantage is that doing this widens the shot and allows objects situated at disparate distances to be kept in emphasis. The disadvantage is that a smaller aperture requires extra light. The digital camera may compensate by delaying the shutter speed, which will increase the likelihood of digital camera shake. This is the reason you ought to think about using a tripod when shooting photos in panorama mode.
Portrait Mode
The portrait preset takes the contrary approach; it enlarges your aperture and shrinks your depth of field
Instead of trying to keep subjects at various distances in target, it enables the background to blur while preserving the front in well-defined focus. That helps to direct viewers' attention to your theme.
Macro Mode
Ideal for close-up shots, this function is designed to enhance the small details in your subject. From the crevices of an insect's wings to the barely-noticeable alterations in shade of a flower's petals, macro mode delivers your viewers startlingly near to your subject matter; focus is paramount with this setting; think about utilizing a tripod to avoid blurring.
Sports Mode
The sports preset is intended to let you shoot moving objects while freezing the motion
It achieves this by speeding up the film and shutter speed; the greater film speed compensates for the decrease in lighting caused by the increased shutter speed
Don't be misled by the preset's name; it may be employed to catch everything that goes, including automobiles, creatures, and even dropping subjects.
Nighttime Mode
Because there is much less light available, this setting reduces the shutter speed. That helps your digital camera determine the details of objects in your background while employing the flash to light up your foreground. Remember a longer shutter speed may make camera jitters a larger problem; to avoid excessive blurring (a little blur may be wanted for some pictures), think about using a tripod.
Using Standard Setting
Even though your digital camera is outfitted with a selection of predetermined settings (including a couple not listed above), you should try things out with its manual mode; this setting offers much more versatility than some. In fact, many photography fans first come to be familiar with regular setting out of aggravation; their cameras fail to select configurations capable of delivering ideal images.
When utilizing the regular setting, you will manage to control the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and flash. It demands more work, but opens the doorway to end projects that would be hard to achieve otherwise; for instance, you may underexpose or overexpose your shots to create specific effects.
Here's the takeaway: employ your camera's preset modes as a beginning spot, particularly if you're a new photographer. As you acquire knowledge, play with the configurations in manual mode to produce more refined photos.