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Marv,
I
am new to using cameras. I just bought a
'simple' - I thought point and shoot digital camera
that has a dial on top with a bunch of symbols to
use to take different kinds of pictures. Could
you please describe what they mean.
Thank you,
Submitted by D.G. from WA
9-8-07 |
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Dear D.G. from WA:
Shooting Modes
Many digital cameras come equipped with a ‘Mode Dial' which has
several automatic settings designed to produce acceptable
results when make certain types of pictures. These automatic
settings are useful for average or ‘normal' conditions. More
advanced cameras also offer settings for the photographer to
make more of the ‘Mode’ settings manually. Manual control allows
greater creative potential for the photographer to make
deliberate choices beyond the averaging process built-in camera
programs can perform.
Auto Mode 
Lets start with the fully automatic mode.
The fully auto setting uses a program in the camera designed to
measure the light level, light color, and subject distance to
apply an average shooting adjustment for the camera. The camera
sets all parameters for you, providing point-and-shoot
simplicity so you can concentrate on your subject.
Manual 
This allows you complete control over exposure, selecting both
aperture and shutter speed manually. You might consider this the
ultimate in creative control, you set ISO speed (this used to be
called film speed), exposure
compensation, white balance, and focus.
Aperture Priority 
The user sets the aperture, controlling depth-of-field. The
camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed.
Shutter Speed Priority
The user selects the shutter speed, and the camera automatically
selects the appropriate aperture.
In addition to the standard shutter priority setting, some
manufactures also provide special shutter priority settings
suited to specific subjects. These include High-Speed Shutter
Priority which tailored for sports subjects. This setting uses
high shutter speeds to stop the action of fast-moving subjects.
Another Shutter Priority setting might be Slow Shutter, which
sets a slow shutter speed to intentionally blur moving subjects
or otherwise create dramatic long-exposure effects.
Program - 
Set almost all camera parameters yourself, while the camera
selects the aperture and shutter speed combination based on shooting
conditions.
Custom - 
Define and store your own settings to achieve the effects you
regularly prefer.
People Setting -
The camera sets a large aperture, focuses the subject and
artistically blurs the background to make your subject "pop."
Mountain Setting -
For front to back sharpness, the camera sets a small aperture.
Stitch Assist - 
Easy-to-use guidelines simplify the shooting of aligned multiple
frames that can later be combined (using bundled software ) to
create panoramic photos. This helps build inspiring panoramas by
neatly aligning sequential images.
Night Scene or Back Lighting -
Get natural looking pictures with brighter backgrounds and
subjects lit by flash. For impressive sunset or nightlife shots,
the camera properly exposes the background and uses slow-sync
flash for the foreground subject.
Fast Shutter or
Sports -
Ideal
for sports, this setting uses high shutter speeds to stop the
action of fast-moving subjects.
Flower Setting – Close-up or Macro -
Shoot larger-than-life close-ups with one-button simplicity. The
camera automatically switches into an ultra-close focus mode
with emphasis on a small lens opening to maximize depth of
field.
Movie - 
Shoot in XGA (15 fps) or VGA/QVGA (30/15 fps) full motion video.
Some new point and shoot digital
camera models also offer a few additional pre-programmed
settings designed to aide casual photographers in making good
images in difficult shooting situations.
Indoor
Reduces blur and improves color accuracy when shooting handheld
indoors.
Foliage
Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery or blossoms.
Snow
Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects and bluish
tint.
Beach
Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without the darkened
faces. I hope this helps.
– askMarv™ |
