Exposure Mode Dial

» We have Nikons, so we will be looking at the Nikon mode dial

» Most cameras use similar icons

Exposure Mode Dial

Exposure Mode Dial

Nikon d3100

» There are TONS of options and controls on a dSLR – even entry level ones

» The exposure mode dial is one set of controls that you will use the most and is essential that you understand

» P, S, A, and M Modes» Full control over

camera exposure settings

» P – Programmed Auto» S/Tv – Shutter Priority» A/Av – Aperture

Priority» M - Manual

Exposure Mode Dial

On a Canon

“P”Program Auto

» The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed and aperture for the best exposure in most situations.

» Use for snapshots or other unplanned shots.

“S” Shutter Priority

» You choose the shutter speed and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture.

» Shutter speed controls how motion looks in your image.

» Slow – blurred» Fast - freeze

Slow Shutter

Fast Shutter

“S”Shutter Priority

» Use for any photography where the motion of the subject is the most important thing.

» Do you want to show or freeze it?

“A” Aperture Priority

» You choose the aperture while the camera selects the shutter speed.

» Large apertures reduce depth of field, blurring the background

» Small apertures increase DoF, bringing background into focus

Large Aperture

Small Aperture

“A” Aperture Priority

» Short DoF is usually used in portraits and close ups to blur the background

» Great DoF is usually used for landscapes where you want everything to be in focus

“M”Manual Mode

» You control BOTH the shutter AND the aperture

Changing Settings

» In A mode, use the command dial to change the aperture

» In S mode, use the command dial to change the shutter speed

Changing Settings

» In M mode, use the command dial to change the shutter speed

» To change the aperture, hold down the exposure compensation button and rotate the command dial

Exposure Compensation Button

» Scene Modes» The camera automatically

controls settings optimized for the scene selected. Match what you select to what you are taking a picture of.

» Portrait» Landscape» Child» Sports» Close up» Night Portrait

Scene Modes

Scene Modes

» Portrait – Camera selects large aperture for short DoF

» Landscape – Camera selects small aperture for great DoF

» Child – Camera selects different focus mode to track movement

» Close Up – Camera is set for close up shots of small objects

» Sports – Camera sets a fast shutter speed to freeze action

» Night Portrait – Balance between subject and background in low light

» Auto Modes» Select for point and

shoot – camera does everything

» Auto» Auto – Flash Off

Exposure Mode Dial

Exposure Mode Dial

» Guide Mode» Take and view

pictures and adjust settings with the help of an on-screen guide

Other Icons

Other Icons

Name That Mode

» Use the whiteboards to draw the correct icon for the action I request.

» You may work with a partner.» It does not need to be drawn perfectly – just

the basic idea should be there.