What are exposure modes, and how do you select the proper one?

An exposure mode can typically be selected using the dial at the top of the camera (see the photo). However, some manufacturers have chosen different solutions. Despite the wide range of cameras, the available exposure modes are reasonably consistent across different models. The most common exposure modes are: 

Auto      => Fully automatic

SCN        => Scenes

P             => Programmed automatic

A or AV => Aperture priority

S or Tv   => Shutter priority

M            => Manual mode

In the camera manual you can find within seconds how and where to select an exposure mode on your camera. But how to choose a proper exposure mode for every occasion and subject? It is actually very simple.

In the Auto, Scenes, and Programmed automatic modes, the camera makes most or all of the decisions automatically, which considerably limits your creative potential. You are not studying photography to shoot in automatic modes. Therefore, I will not cover these modes as they do not provide any essential knowledge.

As a photographer, you want to determine what will happen when the shutter button is released. This level of control can be achieved by using one of the following exposure modes: Aperture Priority (A or Av), Shutter Priority (S or Tv), or Manual mode (M). The symbols “A” and “S” are commonly found on most cameras, while “Av” and “Tv” are typical for Canon cameras. The manual mode is labeled on all cameras with the letter “M”.

It’s useful to note that selecting the appropriate exposure mode is always the first step when setting the camera. This is particularly beneficial for beginners, who can find it challenging to make multiple correct decisions within a limited timeframe when photographing. “Always” simply means one less decision to make, which can contribute to making the process less overwhelming. Next time you are about to photograph an elephant, a football match, or a birthday party, and speculating where to start, the answer for all of these occasions and any other occasion will be the same: with the choice of an exposure mode. There is nothing to think about because it’s always the same; once you turn on the camera, the next move is to select an exposure mode. Knowing this, you can take this first step within seconds, creating extra time for the more complex decisions you need to make before pressing the shutter button.

The “always-decisions” in photography are scarce. As a beginner, you should embrace them and use them to advance faster.

As I already said, three exposure modes - aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode - will provide you with the desired degree of control over your camera. How do you determine which mode to use in a specific situation?

THE LOGIC BEHIND THE CHOICES

How to choose an appropriate exposure mode?

Selecting an appropriate exposure mode is a subject-related decision. Once the nature of the subject is clear, choosing the exposure mode becomes straightforward. Aperture priority mode (A or Av) is suitable for stationary subjects (landscape, architecture, a posing model, etc). Moving subjects (bird in flight, football game, etc.) can be captured successfully in shutter priority mode (S or Tv) . Manual exposure mode (M) is an excellent choice in any situation.

If you have other exposure modes on your camera and wonder about their purposes, I honestly have no idea what they are for. However, I'm 100% certain, without even seeing them, that you don't need them. A/Av, S/Tv, and M will get the job done every single time.