Set primary settings
- Set your default auto focus mode to “One Shot” or “Single Shot.”
- Set your metering mode to “Evaluative.”
Begin in Program (P) Mode
As a beginner, concentrate on composition (sharpening your eye). Just use Program (P) mode for now.
Set ISO first.
- 100 for good outdoor light
- 200 or 400 for lower lighting conditions
- 800 or higher for dim conditions or action
Practice composition.
Use exposure compensation if necessary.
Graduate to Aperture Priority (AV) Mode
Be in Aperture Priority mode.
Set ISO first.
- 400 on overcast day
- If darker, increase.
Set aperture depending on the need.
- small f-number = small area of focus; big f-number = big area of focus.
Let the camera adjust shutter speed.
- Dark = slow shutter speed
- Bright = fast shutter speed
- Slow shutter speed = blur
- To freeze movement, choose 1/125 or faster
Prompts
Camera’s default auto focus mode (hint: Miki). :: One Shot / Single Shot
Camera’s metering mode (hint: test). :: Evaluative
Three main factors that control exposure in photography. :: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed
When just starting out with a digital camera, what mode should you use so you can concentrate on composition (i.e., sharpening your eye)? :: Program mode
In Program mode, which among the three factors of exposure in photography can you control? :: None.
The “ISO” in the camera’s ISO sensitivity stands for. :: International Organization for Standardization
A camera’s ISO control lets you control what? :: A camera sensor’s sensitivity to light.
Camera ISO for good outdoor light. :: 100
Camera ISO for overcast or lower lighting conditions. :: 200–400
Camera ISO for dim conditions or moving subject. :: 800 and above
The lower the amount of light the higher the ISO.
Why do you increase a camera’s ISO when there is lower amount of light? :: You want to increase the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light.
A camera’s f-number refers to the amount of its. :: Aperture
What is a camera’s aperture? :: The size of the opening in a camera’s lens.
After you’ve improved your composition skills, you can graduate from Program mode to AV mode.
“AV” in AV mode stands for. :: Aperture Priority
The smaller the area of focus, the smaller the f-number.
The bigger the area of focus, the bigger the f-number.
In AV mode, what does the camera adjust automatically? :: Shutter speed
In AV mode, what could you control among the three factors of exposure? :: Aperture
The darker the environment, the slower the shutter speed.
The brighter the environment, the faster the shutter speed.
If you want a faster shutter speed, increase the denominator.
If you want a slower shutter speed, decrease the denominator.
What happens to a moving object when it is caught by a camera with a low shutter speed? :: It blurs.
Shutter speed to freeze movement. :: 1/120 or faster
References
Carroll, H. (2014). Read This If You Want to take Great Photographs. Laurence King Publishing Ltd.