Each digital camera has a rotating dial on their top, which can be rotated to choose between different automatic shooting modes. Apart from that, the automatic automatic shooting mode selection can be done via menu. To explain more, in most of the DSLR cameras (or the advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses), the shutter modes can be completely automatic, or partially automatic or completely manual. This kind of system is for quickly setting the best settings calculating the exposure triangle (Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed).
In this article, we are going to discuss only the automatic modes. We have a practical limit of ISO to reduce noise. Most of the novice photographers don’t have the required knowledge to use the non-automatic modes profitably and they tend to use the fully automatic mode. It is inevitable, in day to day photography to employ the partially automatic modes. The names and icons of this mode may vary, usually, every manufacturer has its guide explaining the dial. Not all cameras will have these modes.
Auto Mode
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This is a fully automatic mode. The camera’s microcontroller will control all settings, and this is the fallback option to quickly capture a photo.
Auto mode without flash can be a separate mode in few models, which is useful in many situations where we can take photos but the use of the flash is not required. In most of the cameras, however, the flash has three modes: Always ON, Automatic and Always Off.
Portrait Mode
If the framed subject is far from the background, the camera tries to obtain a blurred background, to better isolate the subject. Depending on the car model, colours are also altered to ensure softer skin tones.
Whenever you want to take a portrait you can use this mode, preferably by creating some distance between the foreground subject and the objects in the background.
Landscape Mode
This mode allows you to take photos in which all the framed elements remain in focus, even the most distant ones.
When you want to take landscape photos, preferably during the day you do not want background or foreground blurring. If you use this shooting mode in low light conditions, it is best to use a tripod as well, which helps you support the camera.
Macro Mode
Usually, the settings are similar to portrait mode but the colour settings are set in a way so that the colours of the framed objects are very vivid. As commonly taken photos in this mode is of flowers or insects.
Sports Mode
This mode can freeze the rapid action of a sporting event. The flash is turned off. It can also come in handy for photographing any subject that moves quickly, such as children or birds. In these settings, the camera lowers the shutter speed as much as possible.
Night Mode
The camera increases the exposure time to capture a greater amount of light. It will be useful for both outdoor photos and indoor photos with poor lighting. You will need a tripod to support the camera to avoid blur.
Conclusion
Digital camera manufacturers these days often indulge themselves in providing more and more automatic modes suitable for various occasions. The list above describes the ones that are more or less common to all models. With a minimum of creativity it is possible to adapt them to different situations but in some respects similar to those for which they were explicitly designed.
