PHOTOGRAPHY, CAMERA MODES (PART 2)

In the last part we have explained the basics of photography. In this part we shall explain the different modes available in various DSLRs, Point and Shoot Cameras, Smartphones, etc. So let’s get started.

• Auto-mode

This mode optimises the camera for the best possible shot in the given environment. This automatically adjusts the ISO, shutter speed and aperture in accordance with the amount of light present and the scene conditions. As the whole auto procedure is strictly software oriented, flaws are no exceptions. The camera, as claimed, may not be able to produce shots according to your requirement and hence the option of complete manual mode is provided in the cameras.

While talking about camera modes, we come across a very important term “AUTOFOCUS”. Let’s first understand what autofocus is. Focussing on object means switching the camera lens to an object to capture its best possible detail and produce a sharp and punchy image. When the focussing is done automatically with the help of various sensors or with the help of external hardware or software, that is called auto-focus.

There are basically two types of auto-focus namely “Active Auto-focus” and “Passive Auto-focus”. The ‘Active Auto-Focus uses a red beam of laser or light to focus an object. The beam after striking the object returns to the camera sensor and provides an idea of the distance of the object from the camera sensor and the camera focusses the object based on that information. The ‘Passive Auto-focus’ relies on contrast detection to focus the subject. We shall talk about the various autofocus system in the next part of the blog.

• Macro-Focus Mode

This is the mode for capturing close-up shots with the background blurred. In this mode, the camera lens focusses at a nearby object and the background gets totally out of focus and blurred. This is partial bokeh and this mode is used to capture flowers, insects and other close-up detailed shots. This mode retains detail but lacks punch and contrast. There’s a mode also called the SUPER MACRO mode in which the image projected on the camera sensor is relatively larger than the original size of the object. Ratio of the size of the image projected on the image sensor to the original size of the object is 2:1 in the SUPER MACRO mode.

• Infinity-Focus Mode

This is the mode for capturing shots of objects lying at a distance. This mode is a normal mode and doesn’t provide any special effects. Distant mountains, natural shots, scenery, etc. can be captured via this mode. This is neutral mode and this mode doesn’t have any gains or losses.

• Portrait Mode

Portrait mode is a very useful and effective tool when it comes to human photography. In digital photography, portrait mode is a function of digital cameras in which the camera lens adjusts to a larger aperture to gain a narrow depth of field so that the subject is the only thing in focus and the background gets blurred. In this mode the subject is sharp and the background is blurred and that’s the magical Bokeh effect. The photos look very pleasing and are well defined when taken through a DSLR. In this mode, faster shutter speeds are used to ensure that the subject doesn’t get blurred.

• Landscape Mode

This mode is generally used for shooting scenery and stuff. When you select landscape mode on your camera, your camera will try to produce rich vivid colour and adjust itself to the minimum possible aperture to provide the maximum depth of field. This is the opposite effect of portrait mode in which the photo of a single subject is taken. This mode sometimes uses long exposure times to ensure a bright vivid shot and in that case it is also recommended to use a tripod.

• Live Mode

In this mode you can actually use the camera functions accompanied by the LCD screen. You can adjust the focus with the help of the Live mode and various other functions. This mode is very helpful for the beginners and helps a lot in adjustment of Digital Photography.

• Shutter Priority Mode

This is a semi-auto mode in which the user is allowed to adjust the shutter speed and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture and ISO to get the best possible exposure setting. This setting allows the user to adjust the shutter speed ensuring the minimum possible deterioration in image quality. This mode is generally denoted by ‘S’ or ‘Tv’ in a DSLR camera. Shutter speed generally determines how ‘movement’ is captured in an image. Thus Shutter Priority mode is switched on when the user wishes to achieve more control over the still shooting of a moving object.

• Aperture Priority Mode

This is also a semi-automatic mode in which the user is allowed to select a definite aperture and the camera automatically selects the shutter to get the best possible exposure setting. Aperture has a great impact on the depth of field. Thus aperture priority mode is used when the user wishes to achieve more control over the focus area and thus achieving a sharper subject and a blurred background (Bokeh Effect). This mode ensures minimum deterioration while using larger apertures by controlling the shutter speed to maintain the ISO. This mode is thus also used to obtain portrait mode effect manually.

• Program Mode

This mode is similar to the Auto-mode. In this mode the camera selects the ISO, shutter speed and aperture depending on the scene to be captured. Sounds like auto-mode but there’s some differences. This mode allows the user to adjust the white-balance, colour style and exposure flexibility and per the scene requirements the camera will alter other settings accordingly.

• Manual Mode

This mode allows the user to achieve full control over all the settings in a camera by allowing the user to adjust the ISO, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, colour style, etc. This mode requires professionalism to perform perfect and is strictly not for beginners.

• Sports Mode

This mode is indicated by a running man in a camera. This setting is perfect for capturing subjects that are moving, such as children playing. This mode uses a faster shutter speed to freeze the moving object and uses a larger aperture to obtain a shallow depth of field. This mode disables the flash by default.

• Night Portrait Mode

This mode to obtain pictures of people at night where the photographer wants to focus an additional subject including the main subject. This mode usually fires the camera flash to illuminate the subjects. This mode generally uses a lower shutter speed and a higher ISO to record any ambient light in the picture. For example, taking the photograph of a person standing by the moon in the sky. In this case the photographer wants the moon to be clearly visible as well along with the subject in clear focus.

Thus that’s the end of part 2 of the blog PHOTOGRAPHY. We shall cover mobile photography and other miscellaneous facts and myths about digital photography in the last part of the blog. If you want a FAQ article on the given topic, do leave a comment in the comment box along with your question. Hope you all are having a great day out there behind the screens!!