You already know the problem with Auto Mode—even though your camera chooses all the complicated settings for you, it delivers unpredictable and disappointing results because it has no idea what it’s taking a picture of.
A better way is to use Scene Mode because it tells your camera what you’re taking a picture of so it can now choose the best settings.
But I understand that you want to have a lot more control over your camera than Auto or Scene Mode can give you.
Contrary to what most articles and YouTube videos will tell you, the answer is not to jump head-first into manual mode.
Jumping into Manual Mode before you’re ready is a recipe for worse photos than Auto Mode!
Quite simply, Manual Mode too soon = information overload.
I’m Saving Your From Information Overload
There are two problems with manual mode:
It’s overwhelming
It’s rarely necessary to use
Many aspiring photographers have given up on their dreams because the road to manual mode was too difficult to navigate.
My job is to save you from information overload.
By explaining advanced camera settings one stage at a time, I’ll save you from dealing with an avalanche of information.
Whether it's newborns, landscapes or sharks, I rarely use Manual Mode on my camera. 99% of the time, it's Aperture Mode.
Aperture Mode frees me up to think creatively rather than overthinking complicated settings in Manual Mode.
The First 3 Stages of Camera Settings
Stage 1 - Auto Mode (never use Auto Mode ever again).
Stage 2 - Scene Mode (use Scene Mode whenever you’re not sure what settings to choose).
Stage 3 - Aperture Mode (you’re ready to take the first step into advanced camera settings).
How do you know when you’re ready to move from Scene Mode to Aperture Mode?
The first thing to realize is that aperture mode is only for people who want to take more control of their camera. If you’re happy with the results you’re getting in Scene Mode, stay there.
But if you’re eager for more control and want to start playing with f-stops, ISO’s and shutter speeds then aperture mode is the perfect first step.
Aperture mode is great because it gives us control over a couple of important settings while still letting the camera deal with the rest of the settings you’re unsure about.
Aperture Mode is the first step toward new creative possibilities.
When you're in Auto Mode or even Scene Mode you're basically at the mercy of your camera. But when you learn aperture mode and beyond, you can refine the common problems that keep popping up.
Imagine trying to photograph a portrait of a loved one and not understanding why the photo keeps coming out blurry.
Or, you're captivated by a stunning scene illuminated by the last golden rays of sunset, but your camera spits out dull-looking photos.
This is what aperture mode and beyond will help you overcome.
I’ll walk you through Aperture Mode and then do a step-by-step recap at the end.
How to Set Your Camera to Aperture Mode
To set your camera to Aperture Mode, turn the main mode dial to A (or Av for Canon).
On your camera screen, you'll see a number labelled with an "F." This is your aperture value.
Use the scroller to adjust this number, and experiment to see how high and how low you can make that number go.
Once you see how it works, continue scrolling until you make that number as small as possible. It may be f3.5 or lower, depending on your lens.
When you’ve got that number as low as possible - leave it there! You’re in the best possible place to start.
But, What Is Aperture?
The aperture is a hole in the lens that allows the scene to enter the camera, similar to looking through a telescope. By setting that f-number small, you’re making the hole large (I know, sounds backwards).
A smaller f-number increases the size of this hole, allowing more light to enter and resulting in a better picture.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand this. Just set the number as small as you can and move on. We’ll talk more about it in a future tutorial.
What to Do Once You’ve Set Your Camera to Aperture Mode
Now that your camera is in Aperture Mode, and you’ve set the aperture to the lowest f-number you can, it’s time for one more setting.
You need to adjust your ISO setting.
What does ISO stand for?
ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. And, now that you know, you can go ahead and forget it!
The important thing to understand is that ISO is a setting that adjusts your camera’s sensitivity to light.
ISO is usually measured between 100 and 6400, but newer cameras can achieve much higher ISO levels.
A higher ISO allows you to take photos in lower light conditions.
You need to adjust the ISO according to the level of light you’re in. Here’s a guide:
Outdoor:
400: Bright sunlight (including sunrise and sunset)
800: Shade or overcast sky
1600: Outdoor evening light or brighter indoor light
Indoor:
1600: Brighter indoor light
3200: Dim indoor light
6400: Darker indoor light
You need to check and set the ISO every time you start taking pictures.
Don’t worry, it becomes second nature with practice.
How to Adjust Your ISO
Every camera has a slightly different method for adjusting the ISO. You may need to check your camera manual or find a YouTube video that will show you how.
I show you exactly how to adjust the ISO on your particular camera during one-on-one photography lessons.
How to Use Aperture Mode - Step by Step
Every time you take a picture, without even having to think, you will turn on your camera, make sure it’s on Aperture Mode (A or Av), make sure the f-number is small (f3.5), and set your ISO.
At first, it will take a minute. Then 30 seconds. Then 10 seconds. Then you will do it without even thinking about it or noticing that you did it.
Let’s recap how to use aperture step by step:
Step 1
Before you begin, make sure that the dial on the top of your camera is set to “A” or “Av”
Step 2
Set your ISO for the level of light you’re in.
Your camera needs to know whether it’s in really bright light or dim light so that it has a good starting point for taking the photo.
Outdoor:
400: Bright sunlight (including sunrise and sunset)
800: Shade or overcast sky
1600: Outdoor evening light or brighter indoor light
Indoor:
1600: Brighter indoor light
3200: Dim indoor light
6400: Darker indoor light
Step 3
Start taking pictures.
The goal is to keep most of this the same all the time.
Keep your camera in aperture mode.
Keep the aperture F number as low as possible.
The only thing you have to do is adjust your ISO according to the brightness level of the light you're in. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it close.
You’re not anxious about camera settings; you’re excited.
Now at this point, some people feel slightly overwhelmed about trying these new camera settings.
This is a good place to be. That’s how learning works. You go a step beyond what you already know and are already comfortable with. A mild amount of anxiety or nervousness tells you, “You’re in the right place.”
The secret is understanding that anxiety and excitement can feel the same in the learning process.
And, the way we label these feelings can significantly influence our experiences and outcomes.
Reframe your anxiety as excitement and get out there to practice.
One-on-one photography lessons
And, remember. With a one-on-one photography lesson, I show you exactly how to use Aperture Mode with your camera and walk you through some practice exercises so that your learning sticks.
Mat Coker has taught the art of photography for 10 years.
He has helped his students capture their retirement travels, document their family life and even start portrait businesses!
Explore more articles or sign up for your personal photography lesson.
Opmerkingen