Shooting modes to help you create better photos with your digital camera - Part 2.
Semi Automatic Modes
Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)
Aperture priority mode is a setting in which you choose the aperture and your camera chooses the other settings such as shutter speed to ensure you have a well balanced exposure. Aperture priority mode is useful when you're looking to control the depth of field in a photo. Choosing a larger number aperture (f 22) will give you a larger depth of field allowing more of your scene to be in focus. Your camera might choose a slower shutter speed. Smaller number apertures (f 2.8) means the opposite - depth of field will be smaller and your camera will probably choose a faster shutter speed.
Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)
Shutter priority mode is very similar to aperture priority mode but instead you select the shutter speed and the camera then chooses the other settings. You would use this mode when you want control over moving subjects, such as sports where a faster shutter speed will freeze the action (1/500 sec.). To capture the movement as a blur like a waterfall, you would choose a slower shutter speed (1/30 sec.). Another great use for a slow shutter speed is lower light situations.
Manual Mode
In Manual Mode you have full control over your camera and need to think about all of the settings including focus points, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, flash etc. It gives you the flexibility to set up your photos as you wish.
Thanks for reading my two part series on camera shooting modes. I hope that it has cleared up some of your questions and has shown you a few ways to be more creative or to make your photography easier. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.