So the first exercise I’ve been asked to put my camera on Auto!!! Eeek I haven’t used auto for about 3 years now, and in fact my camera doesn’t even have an ‘auto’ setting!! I think the closest I can get to ‘auto’ is the ‘P’ button, but yet again I don’t think I’ve every used it, so my first action will be to research how to use it and what it’s for.

Programme Mode ‘P’

After watching a couple YouTube videos, I now understand that Programme mode controls the aperture and shutter speed, leaving you to control the ISO based on the lighting conditions you have, i.e. if it’s light and bright you can keep it on ISO 100 or if it dark you can set an ISO of say 4000.

The camera will automatically choose and aperture and shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure for the subject you are shooting.

You can also put it into P* (flexible programme) mode which then allows you to adjust either of the other settings. EG if you need a faster shutter speed because you are photographing sport, you can make it faster and the camera will automatically adjust the aperture to compensate, thus maintaining the correct exposure.

notes made whilst watching YouTube Video

I could see this being very useful, if you needed to take photos of an event where you don’t have lots of time and if you’re not worried about the depth of field, but if you’re trying to create a set of photos with a similar ambiance you might struggle if the camera is making all the choices for you.

Personally, I think this could be useful in P* mode especially if your photographing in changeable conditions.

I’m going to try using this to complete Exercise 1.1

references: YouTube Videos: