For every subject, there's a perfect way to photograph it. Your camera's auto mode is good in a pinch, but has
its limitations. Many situations need very particular camera settings in order to be photographed correctly.
In these instances, specific shooting modes are a great help.
The following is a list of shooting modes that are typical of digital cameras.
You can select a shooting mode by choosing Mode from the Capture Menu of your digital camera.
Auto Mode (default)
Benefit of using this mode:
Taking good shots quickly, when you don't have time to select a special shooting mode.
How it works:
Camera automatically selects the best settings for your subject.
Benefit of using this mode:
Avoids blurry photos due to camera shake or a moving subject. Best used when lighting is at a
low level such as indoors.
How it works:
Your camera increases its sensitivity to light (ISO) resulting in a shorter exposure time. This helps
freeze motion for sharp, clear photos.
Benefit of using this mode:
Captures grand landscapes or group pictures where you need to take a wider shot than one image
can capture.
How it works:
Stitch (or simply preview depending on your HP digital camera model) up to five shots from right to
left (or left to right) into one seamless photo.
Benefit of using this mode:
Provides clear, focused shots of people while capturing background lights at night.
How it works:
This mode uses the flash to ensure your subject is well lit, followed by a long exposure for bringing
out background detail. A tripod is recommended when using this mode. Otherwise, your photo may
be blurred.
How it works:
This mode uses a long exposure (longer than auto mode) with no flash for rich colors and detail at night.
A tripod is necessary in this mode.
Benefit of using this mode:
Captures dramatic photos in the early evening or early dawn when the sun is near the horizon.
Accentuates the warm tones of a sunset or sunrise.
How it works:
Increases saturation of the warm tones in your photo while also setting a wide depth of field to
ensure that far off objects and objects near to you are sharp and clear.
Benefit of using this mode:
Changing aperture adjusts your
depth of field.
For example, lowering your f-number to f2.8 significantly narrows your depth of field, and will keep only those
objects close to you in focus-much like what the Portrait shooting mode accomplishes. But the ability to adjust
aperture manually lets you experiment with several depth of field settings, not just one factory preset.
How it works:
Adjusting aperture changes the amount of light you're letting into your camera. A change in lighting requires an
adjustment in shutter speed. This setting automatically selects a shutter speed to match the aperture setting you've
selected.
Benefit of using this mode:
Adjusting shutter speed allows you to compensate for different lighting conditions-short exposures for action,
long exposures for low-light. This mode allows you to select a shutter speed, while the camera selects an aperture
setting to match. This mode doesn't allow you to manipulate depth of field.
How it works:
This mode allows you to select a shutter speed, while the camera selects an aperture setting to match. This mode
doesn't allow you to manipulate depth of field.
Benefit of using this mode:
This mode lets you manually select an aperture and shutter speed for complete control over your photos. This
mode is best for the experienced photographer. The camera will not compensate for improper settings.
Benefit of using this mode:
Once you've gone to the trouble of coming up with the perfect manual settings, you'll want to save them for next
time. This mode allows you to do that.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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