Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority: Which Mode To Use When

Many people keep their digital cameras in auto mode because it’s the easiest path to taking good photos. It’s true that today’s digital camera functions are more sophisticated than ever, so shooting in auto is a safe bet, but for those who want to stretch out a bit, consider experimenting with Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority Modes.

Aperture Priority Mode: Aperture Priority mode is an excellent choice for those times when you want to play with DOF (depth of field) and deciding what portion of the image should be in focus. The camera will determine which shutter speed is best for the particular situation. If the camera must adjust to slower shutter speeds, such as in lower light conditions, having the camera mounted on a tripod will help improve image sharpness by combating camera shake. Consider these fantastically ultra-portable tripod models: http://www.fortworthcamera.com/tripods

Shooting in aperture priority mode can also guard against images being underexposed or overexposed. While it is always a possibility depending upon the particular shooting conditions, chances are that the camera settings will properly adjust to the lighting conditions and that aperture priority will serve your needs quite well.

Shutter Priority Mode: Shutter priority is often used for those instances when you need to freeze action such as during sporting event or when you’re shooting anything in motion. It’s also one technique used when trying to create a blurred effect. You select the shutter speed and the camera will adjust based upon how much light is passing through the lens. If there’s not enough light for a particular shot, the camera will adjust the aperture to a lower number to allow more light into the lens.

Shutter priority mode is one that will require more experimentation primarily due to the fact that there is a risk of under or overexposure of an image. Your camera’s aperture limitations may not allow enough adjustment to having too much/not enough light. This mode certainly has its uses and can help you create some stunning action shots but be prepared to practice in different situations.

White Balance Isn’t Just for Winter: While it’s true that adjusting white balance settings are important for shooting images of snowy landscapes and frost-capped tress, adjusting your white balance is also useful in a number of other situations. When it comes down to it, a custom white balance can improve any image with white subject matter, whether it be a small segment of the image or a large component of your composition.

We can make white balance adjustment even easier with our SystemPRO White Balance Lens Cap. The SystemPRO Professional White Balance Lens Cap diffuses incoming light to create an average color temperature for any given scene. With this lens cap on, use your camera's manual white balance feature and then capture the most accurate color photos with your digital camera. It’s great for use in difficult lighting situations. They’re economical and designed to always be with your camera.