Chelsea again! I have one more post as a preface before we dig into our camera *creative modes. This will be my only post for people who want to stay in auto mode. Some people out there have DSLRs, or even point and shoots, with no desire or intention of using them in anything but auto.
Staying in auto mode is easy and simple, and there is nothing wrong with it if you are happy with the way your pictures look, especially if its just your everyday camera. If you plan on staying in auto modes, just don’t poor money into a high priced DSLR. The kits around $450 are more than enough. Don’t bother spending more. The higher the price will not make your pictures better. No matter how nice the camera you will not take better pictures on it without learning how to use it in a *creative mode and learning your lens options. I will have a future post to suggest where to put you money but for now will will leave it at that.
Even in auto mode you can still make the most of the options you have. They are pretty self explanatory, but unless you take the time to know what each does you may never switch you dial. This is my easy guide to using the different Auto Modes. The little icons should make it easy to remember. But if you don’t want to have to worry about all the setting on your camera, but you want to make the most of each situation. Then take the time to switch your auto modes to fit.
If you are taking a picture of a person playing soccer, use sports mode (displayed as a person running) If you are going to take a picture of a persons smiling face, use the portrait mode and so on. It seems so simple yet most people will leave their camera on the green auto and never bother to know what all the other dials do. So take one second and switch it, and your pictures will improve.
Next month we will dive into ISO.
*What I consider Creative Modes: Canon TV, AV, M. Nikon, S, A, M.
Everything I teach is subject to my own personal opinion. Every photographer has to figure out what works for them best and they are not always the same.
Latest posts by Chelsea (see all)
- Photography 101: Shutter Speed - June 9, 2014
- Photography 101: ISO - May 12, 2014
- Photography 101 – Auto Mode - April 2, 2014
Yvonne @ TriedandTasty.com
What a great resource – thank you! Pinning!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
This was really informative! Thanks!
Mary
You are using a high end camera. Do you have tips for the lower end cameras?
Daniel
Truer words, and all that! I bought a very high end DSLR last year for the purpose of having full manual mode, which I basically live in. It’s great for landscape, panoramic and stop-motion photography (except when I forget where the color and white balance settings are, and if they’ve been adjusted to something other than normal).
That being said, I found out about a month ago that there is a time and a place for Auto or Auto With Benefits modes – I was photographing a jousting competition among other events, both indoor and outdoor at our local Renfaire, and needed fast action shots, but with my manual mode turned on, I had to fiddle with aperture, ISO, shutter speed, blah blah. And by the time I had taken a few test shots to get the lighting right…well you get the idea.
Switched to Auto and was able to forget about settings for the rest of the day and focus on capturing quick moments.
That said, the FULL auto was slowing my shutter down, so the jousting portion was a bit blurry. Switching back to manual or shutter-preferred mode did help at that point.
But in any case, absolutely – while I love to fiddle with settings, there is a time and a place for Auto, and it’s best not to forget it!