Camera Modes

Most cameras have automatic, or semi-automatic shooting modes. In manual mode you control everything. Automatic modes can vary from camera to camera and manufacturer to manufacturer. Your camera may have a couple other settings it will change in the following modes, but these are the essentials that impact exposure.

In the following basic automatic modes the camera automatically determines:

• Full Auto: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, flash.
• Flash Off Auto: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance.
• Program: aperture, shutter speed.
• Aperture Priority: shutter speed.
• Shutter Speed Priority: aperture.

Most cameras also have the following modes as well, their purposes are pretty clear:

• Movie
• Close Up
• Landscape
• Night Portrait
• Portrait
• Sports

Your purposes and skill with the camera will determine which mode you use. I recommend using Manual at all times, at least at first, so you can get a better understanding of what is affecting your exposure. And what to change if it isn't to your liking. The Shutter and Aperture Priority can speed things up at times without throwing in too many variables as well.