Exposure Modes

Aperture Priority - you set the aperture and the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed for you.

Shutter Priority - you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture for you.

Program - on some cameras, this semi-automatic mode gets an exposure reading and allows you to shift the aperture or shutter speed one way or another

Full Manual - this mode requires that you adjust both shutter speed and aperture.

Full Automatic - takes control away from you and does everything automatically. (This is to be avoided as much as possible.)

In a simple digital point-and-shoot you may not have the option of anything but automatic or some other settings, i.e.: night, landscape, action, macro. If you have a higher end point-and-shoot or SLR digital camera, try to not shoot in automatic mode.

With whatever type of camera you have, please don’t forget to FOCUS. You could have the right aperture and shutter speed and ISO but if you don’t focus your picture will not be good.