Camera Modes give the photographer control of the exposure triangle, the Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO. The different modes on a camera give the photographer control of different parts of the exposure triangle. For example, with Manual Mode, the photographer sets all three parts of the exposure triangle. On the opposite end of the control spectrum, Auto Mode allows the camera to determine all three components. In between are Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority, which we’ll get into later. But what is the best camera mode?
Some preach that the only way to take a decent photo is in manual mode. Others climb to the tops of proverbial, Internet-based rooftops to shout that this mode or the other is the true path to photographic enlightenment. In this article, we’ll discuss all of the camera modes, including aperture priority vs shutter priority, manual mode vs auto mode and more. The following article will review the following topics:
This article was originally written in 2015 and updated, reformatted and republished in 2022.
Auto Mode
This is the most maligned and overlooked camera mode. In Auto, your camera does pretty much everything but point itself. In this mode, your camera makes all the decisions relating to exposure based on where your camera is “looking” and the light your camera’s sensor picks up. It will select shutter speed, aperture width, and ISO. You point your camera, click the shutter button and move on. Done.
When Should You Use Auto Mode?
This is kind of a catch all, “snapshot” mode, perfect for those that have neither the time nor the inclination to delve any deeper than the surface potential of their camera. Most professionals will avoid this mode because of the lack of control over the creative and technical components of an image.
Aperture Priority Mode
This mode is great for times when you want a nice depth of field with separation between the subject of your photo and the background. This mode allows you to choose aperture and adjusts shutter speed to compensate for lighting conditions. You are able to adjust the ISO in order to combat lower light situations as well. If you are in a darker environment, increase your ISO to allow more light to get to your camera’s sensor.
The key important difference in shooting in Aperture Priority (vs Manual Mode) is that the exposure will be adjusted by the metering mode. Depending on the metering mode we select (Spot Metering, Center-Weighted Metering, or Evaluative/Matrix Metering), the camera will determine the appropriate Median Exposure for us.
Because the camera determines the Median Exposure and the shutter speed for us, we will have less control when shooting in Aperture Priority. Exposure adjustments for the Median Exposure when in aperture priority must be made via Exposure Compensation. However, Aperture Priority is still a great mode to start shooting in if you are uncomfortable shooting in Manual Mode.
Tips for Shooting in Aperture Priority Mode
- In darker scenarios, look out for blurriness due to movement. This is a sure sign that you need to increase your ISO or that you may need to open your aperture some more (lower your f stop number). For example, if you are at f11, try dropping it down to f9 or lower based on how dark your photo turns out.
- In brighter situations, lower your ISO and decrease aperture width to allow for a greater depth of field.
- When you shoot in Aperture Priority, set your base ISO at the lowest possible native ISO setting.
Shutter Priority Mode
At your child’s ball game? Trying to capture some photos of the grandkids or your toddler running around the playground? This is likely the simplest mode for you as it allows you to control shutter speed. When looking to “freeze” motion, increase your shutter speed. The ideal shutter speed is going to vary widely based on the type of movement you are attempting to freeze. Start somewhere in the 1/250th of a second range and adjust things from there based on how the photo comes out.
Just Remember…
- Fast motion needs a fast shutter speed in order to freeze it. This will decrease the amount of light you are able to capture. You can adjust ISO to give yourself a bit more margin for shutter speed, but don’t increase it too much.
- There are some instances where you don’t need a fast shutter speed but your shots in Aperture Priority (or another mode) come out slightly blurry because you are unable to hold the camera quite still enough. In these instances, try switching to Shutter Priority and increasing your shutter speed just a bit to compensate.
- A general rule of thumb is that you want the denominator in the fraction to be equal to or higher than the focal length of your lens. For instance, using a 50mm prime lens? Start with shutter speed at 1/50 and see how things turn out. You can always increase it if necessary.
Manual Mode
The ultimate in control over the functions of your camera! You are the authority regarding aperture width, shutter speed, and ISO. This is the mode that I heard shouted from the rooftops as the “only mode with which to use your camera” for a while. It wasn’t until I actually began talking to some industry professionals and became more comfortable with my photography that I realized that Manual Mode is simply another tool that gives you the ability to get the shot that you are looking for. It’s not a magic mode that is going to help you skyrocket into photographic brilliance. However, I certainly recommend that EVERYONE take time to learn this mode and become proficient in its use.
How Do I Know If Manual Mode Is The Best Mode For This Photo?
Basically, this is something that you will learn as you become more acquainted with your camera and your personal preferences. I use this mode when things just don’t seem to be “gelling” for me in aperture or shutter priority. I think about my goals, such as:
- Am I trying to capture motion?
- If so, I might want to use Manual in order to increase my shutter speed while still maintaining my desired depth of field.
- Am I trying to capture a specific depth of field (blurred background)?
- Manual mode allows me to increase ISO and widen my aperture while keeping shutter speed within my control to avoid camera shake.
- Am I experiencing some “camera shake” where I can’t hold the camera quite still enough?
- There’s typically an adjustment that I can make in Manual to increase my shutter speed just enough to get rid of that tell-tale blur.
Ultimately, there are tons of options and it’s very easy to become overwhelmed when trying to determine which is best for you. The most important thing to remember is to get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot! You will learn more by doing that than you will any other way. Another invaluable resource to check out is Photography 101 if you are looking to improve yourself as a photographer!
Camera Modes in HDR Photography
When shooting HDR images, there are two camera modes that you should shoot in: Aperture Priority or Manual Mode. If you are not comfortable shooting in Manual Mode just yet, then stick with Aperture Priority. In this article, we will discuss the differences and benefits between Aperture Priority and Manual Mode.
Using Manual Mode for HDR Photography
On Canon 5D Mark III, we have turned the dial to “M” which means we are shooting in Manual Mode.
If you are more comfortable with your camera and its settings, and have also shot in Manual Mode before, then choose Manual Mode when shooting HDR images. Like shooting in Aperture Priority, you will also select the lowest possible native ISO setting. After you have selected your ISO setting, dial in your aperture. However, in Manual Mode, you will control your own shutter speed to obtain your Median Exposure.
Instead of automatically adjusting the exposure settings like it does in Aperture Priority, the metering mode that you have selected will simply be a guide to help you dial in the appropriate Median Exposure when you shoot in Manual Mode. Shooting in Manual Mode will give you more consistent image exposures, as well as much more control in dialing in the perfect Median Exposure.
Conclusion
If you are not comfortable with your camera just yet, shooting in Aperture Priority will give you one less thing to worry about – the exposure. The metering mode that you have chosen will determine the Median Exposure needed in your image. However, practice shooting in Manual Mode to see what it’s like to control the exposure.
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Imo, the best mode is Manual + Auto ISO. I use by default the full manual mode but sometimes i am just forced to go for Auto ISO. I avoid using it at low light, though, as it rapidly goes to 3200-6400 which makes my A6000 unusable.
I’m usually in aperture priority mode but like others have mentioned, it depends on the environment.
In the old days manual mode wasn’t invented, didn’t exist. It was only when there was an automatic mode that a manual mode appeared on the scene. Who knew we were manual shooters back then. Did you become an auto shooter if you used a film pack, anyone remember them. If there’s a bear in the back yard or a flying saucer going by, I quickly pick P for Perfect exposure every time – those camera engineers are pretty good. Much easier.
If there were an annual contest for the worst photography mistakes made for a given year, back in 2011 (when I first got my camera) I really believe I would have taken the “Mr. Depth of Field issue” of the year award, for sure, for sure…
I will play the victim card here, still blaming myself though – as a freaked out first time snapper of them pictures – because probing the forums, calling camera shops, speaking to Yoda’s of the photography industry who stated USE MANUAL MODE (use the force Luke – trust your feelings), and I wanted to be JUST LIKE THEM, instantly I might add… So I stayed in that mode exclusively – and what happened, well, easy… my first and exclusive thought was “light” i.e. exposure, and I had the camera WIDE, WIDE open the whole year, the only thing left to control was shutter – heh, this was too easy. gosh, just love photography. Leave it in manual, open the aperture as wide as you can, and well, work two dials, shutter and ISO… Um, ok… I wanna be like the Yodas…
t’would have only been “Luke” who would have had the Yoda intuitiveness to get imagery just perfect – on a feeling, landing images the way he wanted – because my name was ROB and I did not know how to use a camera. Lest I forget even Luke had training, right?
Secret, I still don’t have it right.
But, just the same, this article, excellent, not in the sense of explaining each mode, as I do know what they are for pretty much -just waiting for the 2nd nature part to kick in more or less, but he made me think a tad differently by using effect (end result) terms vs. physical attributes of what the camera does. bingo…
does this mean blindly I go out with my Nikon light saber now and instantly become the Ansel Demille or the Cecil B Adams that everyone looks to become… maybe. :)
have a nice day.
Manual Mode for me. I want total and full control. I don’t want the camera making decisions for me.
No mode is inherently “better” than any other mode, but each mode is “better” at some things than others. When talking about shooting modes, the most important thing to getting pictures isn’t using a certain mode, but understanding each mode, knowing the strengths and limitations of each one and knowing when to use one over the other.
For example, personally I use full manual when shooting in studio because having full control over the light and what is going on in the studio, I want full control of my camera as well. When I am shooting action sports (usually ice hockey) I tend to stay on shutter priority so that I can make sure to match the shutter speed to the speed of the action and avoid unwanted motion blur. I seldom use aperture mode, but I have found it useful on occasion for stitched panoramas orHDR or exposure blended landscapes in which I know the final image is going to be a composite of a number of images. I honestly almost never use full auto. The only time I am willing to give that much creative control to my camera is when taking snapshots, and in reality that is what I have my iPhone camera for.
Canon A-1: Most of the time it is set on [P: film] or Auto, just for convenience. I will use Tv, Av depending on the situation or Stopped Down for a lens that doesn’t support Canon linkage. I have used manual as detailed below.
Av: I’ve used Aperture Priority at a night time baseball game. Yes, it was sports, but I set the aperture to wide open for the 80-205 f4.5 lens and let the shutter speed fall where it may using ISO 3200 film.
Tv: Great for air shows to blur the propeller or helicopter blades, and for NASCAR races.
Canon F-1N: Prmarily, it is set on manual always even though I have the AE Finder FN and AE Motor Drive FN.
Canon EOS 5D Mk III: My most common setting is on P. I will change the setting via the quick dial for what I’m looking for. I don’t have my 5D set for Auto White Balance; I’ll set it to the environment as if I were using film.
Manual: I’ve used manual settings for taking panoramas with my A-1; I metered for the darker section using Kodak Ektar 100 and set the aperture and shutter speed accordingly. To me, it made sense to have one exposure setting for the three frames.
Next month’s “Show N Tell” theme is once again, Panoramas. I’ll use the 5D for three frames around four different areas because I don’t have the time for the film turnaround. The following settings will be manual on the 5D: Shutter, Aperture, ISO, White Balance, and Focus.
With film, one has to set the ISO and either underexpose (push) or overexpose (pull). I wish I had that luxury on July 21, 2011.
The article is interesting but misses ,in my opinion, the auto ISO evolution.
Nowadays, depending of your camera, you can get a Manuel mode which, in fact, is a kind of auto mode.
That let you set speed and aperture without bothering too much for luminosity.
Agree with John, a lot of time its more of a personal preference… I enjoy shooting in M, but sometimes, time, location and what I want to shoot that depicts what i use… and yes, just go out to shoot and enjoy it!
Agreed! I think it’s important to know the strengths of each mode and be open to using all of them. Use whatever enables you to get the shot you want!
This depends if you are shooting in controlled environments.
Great article for explaining the differences of the shooting modes.
What about P ode? :P
I agree – I was a professional photographer for 20 years and often would often use program . This left the ability to concentrate on framing and composition without having to worry about setting .that said if I was doing something creative I would use the appropriate mode A, TV etc
It’s a personal preference, but I always keep the camera in my hand in manual. Recently I’ve played with Shutter and Aperture priority, but I don’t think it’s for me. Maybe if I play with it some more I’ll like those settings better.
I totally agree! I learned to use manual early and that’s my default fall back these days. Every so often though, depending on what I’m shooting and lighting conditions, shutter and aperture priority modes get some usage too…Like you said, personal preference.
interesting article for every photographer
thanks