Getting out of Auto mode - Picture Perfect
Derek Smith • 14 June 2020
Getting out of full auto mode – picture perfect
Modern day digital cameras have a really powerful processor inside the camera to determine the correct exposure for any given photographic scenario, however the photographs taken on full auto mode may not have the impact, or depth that you as a creative photographer might have desired when you click that shutter.
So, let’s examine the other modes on a digital camera.
Program Mode (P)
In this mode the camera determines the correct exposure by computing the shutter speed, and aperture for a given scene, usefully the photographer is able to control the ISO. In a low light setting the camera may well push the ISO to 1600, or even 6400, resulting in an image that displays a lot of noise in the shadow areas of the image. Lowering the ISO to say 800, will achieve an image with less noise, remember though that in Program mode the shutter speed may well be slowed down, with the possibility of a blurred image by camera shake, or subject movement.
Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)
This is the best mode for fast moving subjects, trains, boats, cars, motorbikes, aircraft, and any sports. In these situations the subject is the most important part of the image, and the background is unimportant. Choose a shutter speed of say 1/500 to totally “freeze” any action, ensuring a blur free image, slow the shutter speed down to achieve motion blur on wheels, or aircraft propellers. I would recommend setting ISO to Auto ISO, in this way ensuring the shutter speed is set as required, and only the aperture will be controlled by the camera.
Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)
In this mode the photographer determines how much of the subject is in clear view, and the camera controls shutter speed for the correct exposure. In a landscape scene close, or “stop down” the aperture for a clear, sharp image from a few feet in front of the camera to infinity, a typical aperture would be anything from f/5.6 – f/16, the aperture settings are dependant on camera, lens, and sensor size, and only by experimenting will the correct aperture be found. Aperture priority mode is an ideal setting for portraiture, still life, and flowers. A wedding photographer may well choose an aperture of f/2, to give a sharp portrait of the bride, and groom, whilst achieving a soft blurred background. Again choose Auto ISO if the light is changeable, ensuring the shutter speed is fast enough to exclude motion blur.
Manual Mode (M)
In this mode the photographer has total control over all of the settings, some photographers contend that you should only shoot in Manual mode, personally I disagree, the camera is very capable of computing the correct exposure in Aperture, or Shutter priority modes. I do however use Manual priority mode in controlled situations, a studio for example, where the lighting can be accurately controlled. I use Manual mode in this fashion; firstly, I set the ISO to the base value of 100, or 200 (not low as this is a computed ISO), secondly I adjust the Aperture to suit, usually a fairly wide f/1.2 – f/4 to give the correct depth of field on the subject. Thirdly, adjust the shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure using the inbuilt camera light meter. Where I use an off-camera flash, typically I set the exposure to -2 then adjust the flash power to compensate.
Modern day digital cameras have a really powerful processor inside the camera to determine the correct exposure for any given photographic scenario, however the photographs taken on full auto mode may not have the impact, or depth that you as a creative photographer might have desired when you click that shutter.
So, let’s examine the other modes on a digital camera.
Program Mode (P)
In this mode the camera determines the correct exposure by computing the shutter speed, and aperture for a given scene, usefully the photographer is able to control the ISO. In a low light setting the camera may well push the ISO to 1600, or even 6400, resulting in an image that displays a lot of noise in the shadow areas of the image. Lowering the ISO to say 800, will achieve an image with less noise, remember though that in Program mode the shutter speed may well be slowed down, with the possibility of a blurred image by camera shake, or subject movement.
Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)
This is the best mode for fast moving subjects, trains, boats, cars, motorbikes, aircraft, and any sports. In these situations the subject is the most important part of the image, and the background is unimportant. Choose a shutter speed of say 1/500 to totally “freeze” any action, ensuring a blur free image, slow the shutter speed down to achieve motion blur on wheels, or aircraft propellers. I would recommend setting ISO to Auto ISO, in this way ensuring the shutter speed is set as required, and only the aperture will be controlled by the camera.
Aperture Priority Mode (A or AV)
In this mode the photographer determines how much of the subject is in clear view, and the camera controls shutter speed for the correct exposure. In a landscape scene close, or “stop down” the aperture for a clear, sharp image from a few feet in front of the camera to infinity, a typical aperture would be anything from f/5.6 – f/16, the aperture settings are dependant on camera, lens, and sensor size, and only by experimenting will the correct aperture be found. Aperture priority mode is an ideal setting for portraiture, still life, and flowers. A wedding photographer may well choose an aperture of f/2, to give a sharp portrait of the bride, and groom, whilst achieving a soft blurred background. Again choose Auto ISO if the light is changeable, ensuring the shutter speed is fast enough to exclude motion blur.
Manual Mode (M)
In this mode the photographer has total control over all of the settings, some photographers contend that you should only shoot in Manual mode, personally I disagree, the camera is very capable of computing the correct exposure in Aperture, or Shutter priority modes. I do however use Manual priority mode in controlled situations, a studio for example, where the lighting can be accurately controlled. I use Manual mode in this fashion; firstly, I set the ISO to the base value of 100, or 200 (not low as this is a computed ISO), secondly I adjust the Aperture to suit, usually a fairly wide f/1.2 – f/4 to give the correct depth of field on the subject. Thirdly, adjust the shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure using the inbuilt camera light meter. Where I use an off-camera flash, typically I set the exposure to -2 then adjust the flash power to compensate.
Stay safe, and enjoy your photography.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.
A visit to Whitby for a sunset picture didn't quite go to plan. Unknown to me today is the last day of the Whitby Regatta. Whitby in the summer is usually busy, but today it rivaled Time Square in New York. My planned shoot of the East Pier was a non-starter because for tonight only there's a fun fair along West Pier where I planned to shoot from. I had to re-think and resort to plan b, which was also a non-starter because the East Pier was closed as it was packed with fireworks. Plan c was OK though and I got an image I'm pleased with.
I've been up to RSPB Bempton Cliffs this week, and have taken some excellent photographs, the weather was fine, and the lighting was less harsh than usual. This pair were on the cliff top, obviously well established, and saw off this interloper trying to muscle in on their space, those beaks look very vicious. I hope that everyone else is having a productive summer break.
For club interaction, we are invited to these NELPS photo shoots. So lets start this club interaction, NELPS are now on there summer break, but it does not stop there. The NELPS club president has put together some outdoor photo shoots:- Lincoln 5th Aug meet at the Cathedral 11am Not forgetting the photo exhibition by Lincoln Camera Club in the Usher Gallery! Chambers Farm Wood & Butterfly Farm 12th Aug meet at 10am. Peoples Park Grimsby 19th Aug meet at 10am. Trolley Bus Museum Sandtoft 26th Aug meet at 10am Cadwell Park 10th Aug motorbikes, 24th Aug cars and both are track days so free to get in.
Sutton & Trusthorpe Camera Club have their annual Exhibition at the Meridale Hall, Sutton on Sea, on 29th / 30th August. Drink and a Home-made cake only £3!
