It seems that some folks are determined to make photography more difficult than it has to be. You might hear some photographers say, “I only shoot using the manual exposure mode,” while others might say, “I only use the Aperture or Shutter Priority exposure mode.”
photo by Daniel Oines
That’s fine and well for those who understand the basics of camera exposures. It’s also great to use those shooting modes when a change of the lens aperture opening and/or shutter speed setting will give better results for an image. But, is it really necessary to fumble with exposure controls for every shot? No, not really. That’s why all cameras have automatic shooting modes. Pictures taken using the automatic mode will generally come out pretty good. When you use the automatic mode, the camera will choose just about every setting for you to get a proper exposure; however, there are times when changing certain camera settings will produce a better image. Unfortunately, those settings cannot be changed when you are shooting in the automatic mode.
What is Program Mode?
Let me introduce you to Program mode. Program or “P” mode is similar to your camera’s automatic mode because it will automatically set a proper exposure value for your shot (as far as the lens aperture opening and shutter speed).
What makes using Program mode different than shooting in automatic is that you will have control over most camera settings while the camera chooses the best exposure values. The settings that you will be able to control in Program mode will include the ISO, light metering, focusing, and flash settings.
Every DSLR camera and mirrorless camera has a “P” mode setting. However, most basic compact cameras won’t have a program mode.
So, Program mode is good for learning how to use different camera settings without having to worry about obtaining the proper exposure as well. You can use Program mode for spur of the moment shots without messing up too many pictures due to bad exposure settings. You can always experiment with manual settings when getting the shot exactly “right” is not critical.
Take note that the lens aperture and shutter speed settings can be controlled to an extent in the “P” Program Shift mode. We will discuss that a little more in just a bit.
photo by Heidi
When To Use Program Mode
But first, let’s take a look at a couple of picture taking situations when the Program mode can be useful. Let’s say you’re taking pictures of a scene with very bright as well as dark shaded areas. Sometimes in a situation like that, your camera’s light meter can be fooled and produce an underexposed or overexposed image.
If you’re using Program mode you can set your camera to Spot Metering and read the light from a small area rather than reading the light from the overall scene. That will give you a proper exposure for the part of the scene or subject that you think is the most important (the camera will set the exposure values). You would not be able to use spot metering if you were shooting in automatic mode.
Here is another scenario in which the program mode can be useful. Let’s say your camera is set to a focusing mode that covers a wide area of the scene you are viewing. If you’re trying to take a picture of a flower that is close to other flowers or leaves, the camera might focus on the wrong flower.
photo by Elliot Plack
That’s not a big problem if you’re in Program mode. Just change your camera’s focusing mode so that it zeros in on the exact area that you want to be in focus. Once again, you would not be able to perform this function if you were using the automatic mode.
So, the point is that just about any camera setting that you may use in manual mode can be used in Program mode. Once again, remember that the lens aperture and shutter speed are automatically set for you when you use the P mode.
Fine Tuning Program Mode
As previously mentioned, the aperture and shutter speed can also be adjusted somewhat in P mode. For example, once you compose a picture and press the shutter half way down, you will be able to see the lens aperture and shutter speed the camera has chosen on the LCD screen. If you think the shutter speed might be too slow, there will be a dial on the camera that you can rotate or a button to press to change the shutter speed.
(This will be called using the Program Shift or Flexible mode. It is part of the regular Program mode. Check your camera’s instruction manual for more precise instructions.)
What will happen once you change the shutter speed is that the aperture will be changed accordingly to maintain a correct exposure. If it is the aperture setting you want to change, just move the dial or button in the opposite direction. You’ll be able to choose the aperture setting you want and the camera will set the shutter speed for a proper exposure.
photo by John Ragai
Some will say that the same type of adjustment can be done using the aperture or shutter priority modes. That is very true. But again, one of the main reasons to use the Program mode is so that you don’t have to worry about setting aperture or shutter speed. However, it’s good to have the option of quickly adjusting them in the Program mode if you choose to do so.
While using Program mode can be very useful, it is also a good idea to learn how to use Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes as well. Eventually you’ll figure out which one might be your first choice.
About the Author:
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