LICHTWERK STUDIO

Modes & shoots

From your intention to the right mode. Make real choices in the practice image.

LEARN BY DOING
0 / 53 · Your progress
FIRST THE INTENTION. THEN THE MODE.

Your mode compass

Automation is a tool. Choose which decision you want to make yourself.

Auto / A+ · Full automatic

The camera chooses aperture, shutter speed and ISO, usually focus and colour settings too. You choose the subject, viewpoint and framing.

When? When something happens immediately, you hand over the camera, or want to concentrate on composition first.

Check before shooting: Auto does not know your intention: a bright background or intentional motion blur may require a deliberate choice.

YOUR THREE STEPS
  1. 1Choose subject and framing
  2. 2Half-press and check the focus point
  3. 3Shoot and check sharpness

Who sets what?

ISO can be chosen independently in P, Av/A, Tv/S and M.
ModeApertureShutterISO
Auto / A+CameraCameraCamera
PCameraCameraYou / Auto ISO
Av / AYouCameraYou / Auto ISO
Tv / SCameraYouYou / Auto ISO
MYouYouYou / Auto ISO

Canon: Av and Tv. Nikon/Sony: A and S. Their A means aperture priority, not full auto. M controls exposure, not manual focus.

Decide in ten seconds

Auto / A+

Catch the moment

Auto ISO, scene modes and preview limits

Auto ISO is not a separate shooting mode. It lets the camera adjust ISO, even in M. This can preserve a short shutter in changing light. High ISO can increase noise; a sharp, slightly noisy image is often more useful than a blurred one.

Portrait, sports and night modes are preset automatic recipes; names and behaviour vary by camera. Here you learn the five transferable exposure modes. The teaching Auto policy uses 1/1000 s for movement, otherwise a moderate aperture, plus subject focus and matching white balance. It does not reproduce a manufacturer's proprietary automation.

Canon EOS R50 · P / Auto · Canon EOS R50 · M / Auto ISO
DECIDE · SET · CHECK

Your next shoot

12 assignments, 10 photographs. Choose a situation and judge your settings in the image.

0 / 12 practised

A moment, no time

Free practice

Preparing your shoot …