Exposure Mode In DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

In any digital camera, whether a DSLR camera, a mirrorless camera or a sophisticated (rather sophisticated) pocket camera, there is always a wheel on the top of the camera where we can choose the camera operation mode: And they always have at least the following options: Auto, P, S (Tv), A (Av), M and Scene. You can see the camera mode wheel in this photo example:

 Note that Nikon and Sony use S and A notation, while Canon and Pentax use Tv and Av, both are the same but only different notations.This code is an abbreviation: Auto for Auto, P for Program Mode, S or Tv for Shutter Priority Mode, A or Av for Aperture Priority Mode, M for Manual Mode and Scene for automatic mode adjusted with object type option to be in photo.Let's take a look at the code and the camera mode options above for more details:

Auto mode

Auto mode is usually marked with a green camera icon, accompanied by the letter A. In this mode, the camera will attempt to analyze the object we are photographing and then define all camera settings. If there is a term point and shoot (shoot and then snap) without having to complicate change anything, this auto mode is meant.Looks fun is not it? Unfortunately the image in this mode can be said not maximal. In auto mode, the camera will determine the size of ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture using the computer workflow determined by the camera manufacturer based on the light conditions when we press the shutter half (metering).When we shoot in a slightly complicated light, when sunset for example, the camera will be quite confused and then produce a photo that does not describe the sunset we want. Anyway, with you already buy a DSLR / Mirrorless camera that is more expensive than a tiny pocket camera or smartphone, continuous shooting using the auto mode it feels really so redundant.Overall, Auto Mode is eligible for the following conditions:

•     When we are too hasty, the important moment of his dapet, camera settings do not trigger
•     When you are really beginner, do not understand about the concept of exposure

In the latest generation of cameras, also available Intelligent Auto mode, this is the auto mode with the addition of features such as face detection, i-Contrast (Canon) or D-Lighting (Nikon). There is also a name Creative Auto where we can change the sharp space. If your camera is equipped with this, use the auto intelligent auto / creative mode compared to the usual auto mode, at least there will be an increase in the image.Keep in mind that while in auto mode, many options and camera settings will be turned off by the camera to make it easier for him to work.

Scene Mode

Scene mode is a choice of mode where we choose the type of object or certain scenes that we will photograph. Suppose we want to photograph a friend: turn the wheel mode to Scene position and then we select Portrait. In Scene Mode, the camera is equipped with camera settings commonly used in typical shooting situations.

Here are some types of situations provided in scene mode:

• Portrait: the camera will automatically narrow the sharp space (dpeth of field) so that the background becomes blur and make the model face more prominent (plus settings for skin tone and softening for smoother skin look).
• Landscape: when we take a scene, the camera will use a large sharp space so that the object near the lens to the farthest look sharp. Green and blue colors will also be more highlighted
• Macro (Close Up): when you want to capture a flower from close range or want to take a bowl of meatball before eating.
• Sports: used when we take pictures of fast-moving objects. The camera will move to the focus method that tracks the movement of the object.
• Night Portrait: used when we want to photograph the face at night. Flash will automatically turn on
• Sunset / Sunrise: explain enough, used when we want to shoot sunset or sunrise
• Fireworks: to shoot fireworks using a very slow shutter speed
• Beach / Snow: the camera will compensate to avoid under-exposed photos as it measures the white background
• Some other scene mode options depend on camera type and brand

Program Mode (F)

While in Program Mode (P) the camera will automatically determine the size of the shutter speed and aperture settings. Even so, we can change the combination of aperture or shutter speed. 
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The camera will try to balance between the shutter and the aperture, if we aim the lens to a bright area, the aperture number automatically enlarges while the shutter speed is maintained at a fairly fast rate. Point the camera to the dark area and the aperture numbers will shrink to keep the shutter from blurry.

The way to change the settings the camera has selected is to rotate the camera control wheel. If we turn the dial to the left then the camera will be "forced" to slow the shutter speed and increase the aperture. If you dial the dial to the right, the camera will be "forced" to speed up the shutter speed and minimize the aperture.

Program mode in more detail is also discussed in this article.

Shutter Speed Priority Mode (S or Tv)

In shutter priority mode, we manually set the shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture value based on the amount of light entering through the lens.

This mode we can use when the shutter speed is the most critical setting: for example when will freeze the movement of objects that move quickly (need a very high shutter speed) or if we deliberately want to create a photo blur (need a low shutter speed). Similarly, when we want to use photo panning techniques as below, moving to the shutter mode priosity will greatly facilitate the work:...

When panning with 1/10 second time, the shutter priority mode is used   

If there is too much light, then the aperture number will enlarge (narrow lens openings) so that the amount of light entering the lens will decrease. If too little light enters the lens then the aperture number will decrease (enlarged lens openings) so that more light into the lens.So in shutter priority mode, the shutter speed value will be constant unchanged according to our settings, while the aperture value will vary depending on the amount of light. Also read: 6 Creative Speed ​​Shutter Techniques Landscape Photography.

Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av)

In aperture priority mode, we define the aperture setting manually and the camera determines the size of the shutter speed according to the amount of light entering the lens. Using this mode, we have full control over the depth of field, because we can lower or raise the lens aperture and let the camera count the shutter speed.Using aperture priority mode is a safe way to use the camera because the risk of photo under-exposed (dark) or over-exposed (too light) is quite small. Why? Because the value of its range camera shutter is quite wide: from 30 seconds to 1/4000 seconds (or 1/8000 seconds on a particular camera), and the range of such numbers is wide enough for a variety of light shooting situations. 

For a front puddle to look as sharp as the end of the bridge on the far side, aperture priority is used and set in f / 14 

About aperture priority mode, please read the article that discusses more here.

Manual Mode (M)

As the name implies, we determine the camera aperture and shutter speed manually completely. The camera will only do light measurements and make recommendations via metering scale, but will not do anything other than that.This mode can be used when photographing a photo object whose lighting conditions make the camera "confused". An example is when we photographing friends on the beach is very bright, the camera may misjudge exposure so that the face of friends so black so the sand on the beach is not over-exposed. In this condition, we can use manual mode, metering with spot metering by measuring exposure on the face of friends and then determine the aperture and shutter speed manually based on the results metering earlier. The result is a photo that is more concerned about the face of friends and subordinate the beach.Manual mode is also useful when for example we photographed panorama, in order to happen consistency. Panoramic photos are generated from some stitched photos, and the aperture and shutter speed values ​​should always be consistent so that the end result of the panoramic photo will be consistent, not the dappled, dark and bright. Another example of use is shooting sessions using a variety of flash (flash) in the studio that will be difficult to measure by camera metering and requires a separate lightmeter.To change after shutter speed and aperture, when you use a camera that has only one control wheel (command dial), turning the control will change only one: aperture or shutter speed. Other settings are changed by rotating the control wheel while pressing the exposure compensation button.Bulb Mode (B)Bulb mode is one of the special settings of the camera, where we can use the shutter speed above 30 seconds, even we can use the shutter speed as long as we want. Maximum shutter speed range on the DSLR / mirrorless camera when using other modes will stuck at 30 seconds, well with this bulb mode we can use the shutter speed far exceeded this figure.The word bulb appears because in ancient times, our grandparents who became photographers use a bubble of wind in a rubber (bulb) that suppresses the shutter mechanism so it opens. 

Bulb mode is required to create photos with this 120 second exposure time. 

What is bulb mode, how to use and examples of its use are discussed in this article.

Note :

These are the types of modes we can choose for different shooting conditions and skill levels. No one will make fun of you because more often using auto mode, but auto mode will limit the creative power that can be achieved with your camera. Accustomed to using auto or Scene, try turning to A or Av, aperture priority, and staying there all day. The majority of professional photographers spend more than 75% of their camera settings in aperture priority mode. Worth a try, and you will be amazed by your own skills.