How To Use Your Camera - "P" or Programmed Mode

A large number of your camera's will have a "P" posted on the Mode Dial. This is a really cool setting and is one that you will really want to know how to use as you learn how to use your camera.
When you select this setting, your camera is basically on full automatic everything. But you have the option of changing the automatic selections your camera chooses if you want to. Lets say you are shooting a nice water fall while the camera is in P mode and because it is a very bright day all your shots are freezing the action and you really want that silky effect. You can get this by adjusting the shutter to a slower speed. (this is usually the default adjustment) In program mode the camera will automatically change the other settings so that you maintain the correct exposure all the time. Because changing the shutter speed also causes the aperture to change, you can adjust the shutter to get the aperture you want as well and have control over depth of field.
I normally use the P setting when I am shooting unpredictable subjects and I think will need to react very quickly. These subjects can be kids at a baseball game, flying birds or running wildlife, or any moving subject such as ocean waves, water falls, and so on. I keep my camera on continuous auto focus and use a setting that lets the shutter continue to work as long as I hold the button down. Then all I need to worry about is zooming in or out to get the shot I want. Yet I still have the option of adjusting the settings if I think I need to and I don't have to take the camera from my eye to look for another option.
If you liked this article or if you would like to see information about another subject regarding how to use your camera please send me your comments.

Another great resource for information about learning how to use your camera is my online store at "How To Use Your Camera"
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How To Use Your Camera - Shutter Priority or Time Value settings

Different camera makers call this by different names. Nikon calls it "Shutter Priority,"while Canon calls it "Time Value" and represents it by the symbol Tv on their shooting mode dial. Other cameras will have the same or similar terms that reference the same function.

As you learn how to use your camera, one of the features you will want to gain control over is shutter speed. By setting your camera to the "S" on a Nikon mode dial you will have selected Shutter Priority Mode. When the camera is in this mode you can choose how fast or how slow your shutter will work. At the same time, your camera will calculate what aperture will be appropriate to give you the best exposure based on it's light meter reading and your selected shutter speed. 

The best times to us this option is when you know you want your camera to shoot at a certain speed, but you are unsure about the other exposure elements or you know you won't have time to consider them. This can be when you want to stop action, or possibly add a blur effect to some action. For instance lets say you want to shoot pictures of a waterfall with the water appearing silky. You would use a very slow shutter speed. The camera will open or close the aperture accordingly so you get the best exposure. Another example would be when you want to pan a subject, that is you are watching your son or daughter as they ride past you on their new bike. You focus on their face and using a moderately fast shutter speed you snap the shutter as they go by. The effect will be a clear view of the moving subject, with a blurry background.

I have created collection of books and other resources that will provide in depth detail about these subjects and more, if you are interested you can look at this simple website to find just about everything that is available to help you learn to use your camera. I am particularly fond of the books of Bryon Peterson. He shoots in the same geographic areas that I do and I can relate to his subject matter.

How To Use Your Camera - Books

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How to Use Your Camera - The Mode Dial

Many of the cameras I see people using these days have a mode dial on them. These cameras also have a multi-selector dial as well and you should not confuse one with the other. The mode dial is where you select the proper shooting mode for the conditions or type of photography you will be doing. Some of the most common settings available are AUTO (Most people use this setting) landscape, portrait, sports, P or Programmed Auto, S or Shutter Priority (Nikon), Canon calls this Tv or "Time Value." A or Aperture Priority, and M or Manual. I will discuss each of these in subsequent blog posts. Nikon cameras include a "Scene" mode with sub-menus that include shooting fireworks, snow or beach scenes, landscapes, portraits with face recognition and so on.

My Kodak Easyshare 1253 isn't this fancy. It simply has a Scene button on top that lets me choose from 23 possible situations that I might find myself shooting in. I just have to push the button and select the mode that fits the lighting conditions I will be shooting in. It's pretty simple if you know where to look but if you think you will find these options by pushing the menu button you will become frustrated in a very short time. This is another reason to learn how to use your camera.

Spend some time looking for the mode dial or scene buttons on your camera. Once you know where to find them take several pictures using each of the various options. It will be important for you to be able to find these modes quickly and easily. To do that well will take a little practice as you learn how to use your camera.

My next blog post will discuss Depth of Field, which settings will allow you to control it, and why you might want to do that.

 

 

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