How To: Use Your DSLR Camera Settings

The article on the basics of DSLR controls explained how your camera works internally.  This article is a followup to explain how to manipulate these settings on your DSLR.

Using The Settings

Now you have an idea of how the settings work, but using them is the only way to really get a handle on how each setting really affects your pictures. I'll explain how to use these settings on both the Nikon D-80 and the Canon E0S Digital Rebel XTi.

As you can see below, these two cameras have very different looking mode dials, but in reality, both serve the same general purposes. The Nikon is on top and the Cannon on bottom.


Each camera has the same basic modes: Auto (green on both), P (Program Mode), S/Tv (shutter priority/Time Value), A/Av (Aperture Priority/Aperture Value), M (Manual) and a slew of situation modes.

I recommend using auto and the situation modes if you're just starting out. These will help you identify what looks best in different situations and once you have a hold on what you like best, you can start to manually set your camera to match those settings in other situations.

Auto

You point your camera and press the button - the camera attempts to figure out everything to end up with a balanced image.

Program

This mode is very helpful for taking a little bit of control, while allowing the camera to still have its say in what it thinks will make for a balanced photo. When you move your camera's dial on this mode, both shutter and aperture will settings will change to allow the correct amount of light into the lens, but the camera will limit you to settings that are appropriate to avoid over or underexposing the image. ISO is set manually in this mode as well.

Shutter Priority/Time Value

This mode allows you to adjust the shutter speed manually and allow the camera to choose an aperture that allows enough light in for the shutter speed and ISO you have set. A high shutter speed could be used to take a picture of a race car traveling 100mph, and make it appear to be completely stationary in the middle of the track, or maybe more practically to take a picture of your dog running around in the back yard without the slightest hint of blur.

Aperture Priority/Aperture Value

In the same way that Shutter Priority allows you to choose a shutter speed and the camera picks an appropriate aperture, this mode allows you to choose an aperture and ISO of your choice and uses the best shutter speed based on the settings you've chosen. An example of how this could be used would be if you're wanting to take a family portrait and want to make sure everyone is in focus, you would set your aperture at a high f-stop.

Manual

Pretty literal - you set everything. The ISO, the shutter, the aperture, and a plethora of other things can be set in this mode.

Well, that covers most of the basics for getting started with taking better and more creative digital photos, but that's just the point!  These are the basics and so much more can be learned by looking at others' photography for inspiration and finding your own style to shoot - so get out and start taking pictures!