4 Shooting Modes, Which One is Right for You?

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Every day we make choices on shooting modes. Thank goodness there’s no right or wrong mode. Consider this. When viewers gaze at our work, they’re probably not saying, “I bet that was shot in shutter priority with automatic ISO.”

Our imagery, our ability to capture a moment using our eye and technology turns a photo into art.

When subject, artistry and desired outcome influence shooting mode, the image reflects our forethought. Each of the four shooting modes bring strengths and considerations. Understanding and practicing how these modes work with your style and camera impacts image artistry and quality.

4 Shooting Modes: Overview & When to Use

Aperture Priority – Creativity & Artistry

Aperture Priority is what dreams and details are made of. Well, almost. Referred to as the creative control mode by many photographers.

The user selects the f/stop which affects depth of field. Depth of field (DOF) and light management impacts how much is in focus, how much appears soft and overall brightness. In Aperture Priority, the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed. ISO may be manually selected or ISO can be set to automatic.

• The smaller the f/stop number, the less depth of field. Shallow depth of field pushes more light to the area of focus as in the butterfly above. Shutter speed elevates with a smaller f/stop number. It will also adjust your ISO if you have selected auto ISO.
• The larger the f/stop number, the greater the depth of field. With greater depth of field, more of the subject appears in focus as light is spread across the scene. As a result, there is less light. In comparing an f/2.8 to f/16, the 2.8 will have a very shallow depth of field and a faster shutter speed. An f/16 will have much more of the details in focus and will require a slower shutter speed to bring in more light.

Shutter Priority – The Need for Speed

When shooting fast moving subjects such as sports, birds in flight, shutter priority is a solid choice for some action photographers. With shutter priority, the camera automatically adjusts the f/stop to maintain the selected shutter speed. ISO is automatically adjusted when auto ISO is selected.

Manual Mode – Control & More Control

In manual mode, the photographer controls ISO, shutter speed and f/stops. The photographer previews how the meter is reading the scene in the viewfinder or live screen. Manual mode offers the same artistic control as Aperture with the ability to control the rest of the elements.

In manual mode, the camera adjusts ISO when auto ISO is selected. ISO is then based on the selected f/stop, shutter speed and how it measure’s the scene’s brightness.

Note: Manual mode is a great teacher on mastering camera usage. Spending time in manual across various conditions improves our innate usage of the settings and how they work together.

Program Mode – Make the Camera Work

Program mode offers photographers the ability to be completely hands off in settings selection. With program mode, we can also choose to control an element such as ISO or f/stop or the shutter speed. When you make a change to one of these in program mode, the camera will adjust the other settings for you.

Many of us are diehards on our personal preferences. I shift between manual and aperture priority shooting modes and manually adjust my ISO. Manual mode for night and early morning photography. During the day I typically shift to aperture mode. When shooting birds in flight, I use manual mode.

Practicing in each mode ensures you’re prepared in the event one is a better choice for your subject.

For an artistic fast tip that adds wow to highlights and shadows: Split Toning in post processing.