Understanding Digital Camera modes

For photographers who have just shifted to a DSLR from a point and shoot camera, the different modes and dials can be quite daunting.

- Souradeep Roy

Digital SLRs are complex cameras that requires a certain amount of know how to be able to operate properly. In this article, we discuss what the different digital camera modes are and how to use them.

What are digital camera modes?

Before going into the nitty gritty of the different modes it is important to understand what the digital camera modes do. Digital camera modes allows a photographer to control certain parameters of setting an exposure like shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Some modes also make the picture taking process fully or partially automated to help the user shoot hassle free without having to worry about the exposure. Back in the day, film cameras used to be fully manual and one had to set the exposure manually. The most that one could expect was an exposure meter which would tell you if the exposure was correct, underexposed or overexposed. Gone are the days when one had to carry an external light meter. The new DSLRs can show you what the correct exposure will be and also set it for you if you are not sure of how to use it. You may now think that if a camera can set the correct exposure then why do I need to learn how to set it myself? This brings us to our pointers where we discuss why it is important to learn these modes.

Auto mode