Instruction manual

• The subject contains many fine details, such as a field containing patches of

snow or light-colored soil or rock

In these cases, you may need to use Manual focus or use focus-lock to focus

on another subject at the same distance and then recompose the image.

2.4.2 Program

The Program (P) mode is similar to the automatic mode. Although the

camera selects aperture and shutter speed, you can modify some of the camera’s

selections by turning a dial or pressing a button. You can thus increase or

decrease shutter speed, and the camera will adjust the aperture to match; many

cameras also let you adjust ISO, white balance and exposure compensation.

Some consider this the best all-around setting to use.

Your camera’s light meter will try to capture a well-exposed photo by adjusting

shutter speed and aperture (and maybe ISO). It will always prioritize shutter

speed in order to prevent blurring caused by camera shake.

2.4.3 Manual

Most digital cameras feature a “Full Manual” (M) mode, allowing you to can

set both the aperture and the shutter speed. This can be useful to ensure that the

same exposure is used for a sequence of photos or when shooting in special

circumstances such as direct sunlight. When in full manual exposure mode, the

camera will often display a simulated exposure meter which will indicate how far

over- or underexposed the image is compared to the exposure value calculated

by the camera's metering system. If the camera has a “live” LCD preview it will

often simulate the effects of the exposure on the LCD.

In most point-and-shoot digital cameras these settings are made on the LCD

screen. Some professional style SLRs use traditional controls, where you turn the

aperture ring on the lens to change the f/stop and use a dial on the camera body

to set shutter speed.

2.4.4 Shutter or Aperture Priority

In the Automatic or Program modes your camera makes the assumption that

you want an evenly exposed image with a fast enough shutter speed to prevent

blurring. Sometimes, these assumptions are incorrect.

Two other modes act between the auto and manual modes: shutter or

aperture priority modes. In Shutter Priority (S) mode, the camera will adjust the

aperture to keep the exposure value (discussed below) constant; this can be used

to lock in a speed fast enough to freeze action scenes. In the Aperture Priority (A)

mode you to select the aperture over the available range and have the camera

calculate the best shutter speed for correct exposure; this is important if you want

to control depth of field (how much of the image is in focus). As you widen the

aperture the depth-of-field is lessened.

2.4.5 Scenes

Many digital cameras come with a variety of “scene” modes such as

landscape, night, portrait, sports, sand or snow. The sports mode will set a fast