READ: Camera Modes

Programmed Mode (P Mode)

Programed Mode is a very useful mode and will probably become a favorite for yours as you learn to adjust the shutter and aperture of your camera. For most cameras when shooting in this mode the camera is in charge of the shutter speed and aperture settings and leave the rest up to you. Your camera will choose the aperture and shutter speed for the best exposure in most situations. Most cameras that have program mode will allow you to control the combination of the shutter and aperture speed within the programs set values. This is called program shift. Adjusting the compensation may be different per camera but you usually move the setting right or left. One way will give you a larger aperture and faster shutter speed while setting it the other way will give you smaller aperture and a slower shutter speed - The different combinations will yield the same exposure. Most cameras will also allow you to adjust the ISO, color balance, flash, etc. while in this mode. Notice when you play with program shift there is a limited number of combinations your camera allows you to choose from. This is because you camera has locked in the values that will yield the same exposure and lets you only choose from those predetermined values. You will learn how shutter speed and aperture size affects your photos later. For now just try it out an see what happens.