All digital cameras have fully automatic modes to take photos by simply pointing and shooting. Intermediate and advanced cameras that have semi-automatic and manual modes allow for more creative and technical control.

Automatic modes

Auto/Simple - fully automatic, point-and-shoot mode, which lets beginners easily take photos. The camera selects all settings.

Program AE - camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture based on the brightness of the scene. User can adjust some settings such as exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, focusing and metering modes. After you understand these fundamental settings, and with some practice, you should get better shots in P mode rather than leaving all the decisions up to the camera.

Semi-automatic modes

Shutter priority (Tv) - User selects shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture. Selecting a faster shutter speed allows you to “freeze” the action of a moving subject. Slower shutter speeds capture movement and also let you shoot without a flash in dim lit scenes.

Aperture priority (Av) - User selects aperture and the camera automatically selects shutter speed. Opening up the aperture (smaller f-stop number) decreases depth of field. Closing down the aperture (higher f-stop number) increases depth of field.

Manual mode

User manually selects the shutter speed and aperture. An Exposure Display visible on the LCD or electronic viewfinder shows the amount a photo will be over- or underexposed. Long exposures are taken in manual mode.

Scene modes

Digital cameras have a variety of scene modes, pre-programmed to provide optimal exposure for a specific scene. Scene modes can be very effective and, like other automatic modes, are useful for those who prefer not to tweak camera settings.

Video mode

Switch the camera to video mode to record movies. Don’t forget to hold the camera horizontally when shooting video, or your videos will be the wrong orientation. If you do forget, the software that came with you camera may let you correct the orientation. So will video editing programs such as Apple QuickTime Pro.