Point And Shoot Like A Pro
Why à la modes?
Meet The Subject Modes
Full Auto. In full auto, the camera sets everything and you can't adjust anything. If flash is required, the built-in flash unit pops up and fires automatically. This is a good mode to use for general quick and hassle-free shooting.
Portrait. Portrait mode sets a wide aperture to throw distracting backgrounds out of focus and thus concentrate attention on the subject. Some D-SLRs also employ less sharpening than the camera's default setting for more pleasing skin renderings. Some cameras employ low-speed continuous advance in portrait mode, so you can shoot quick bursts and capture that perfect expressional nuance; others use single-shot advance.
TIP: Use a short telephoto focal length (60-70mm for a D-SLR with an APS-C image sensor with a 1.5x focal-length factor) for head shots. This delivers a good head size at a shooting distance that produces a pleasing perspective. Focus on the subject's eyes (or the eye nearest the camera, if the head is at an angle) for maximum impact.
Landscape. Landscape mode sets a small aperture to maximize depth of field, since landscape photos work best when everything is sharp from foreground through background. Landscape mode also sets single-shot AF and deactivates the flash. With some cameras, landscape mode increases sharpening, contrast and saturation, and sets white balance and saturation to favor green and blue tones.
TIP: Use a wide-angle lens and move close to a foreground subject; this adds depth to the image. You can also zero-in on distant portions of a scene with a long lens; the flattened perspective can result in interesting abstract images.
Sports/Action. Action mode favors faster shutter speeds to freeze moving subjects sharply. It generally activates continuous AF and continuous drive and deactivates the flash. With some cameras, sports mode also uses a higher ISO setting.
TIP: Use a lens focal length appropriate for the subject—a long focal length for a subject you can't approach closely enough, a short focal length when you can "get close." Pan the camera (move it with the subject to keep the subject in the same spot in the viewfinder) for sharpest results.
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