Automatic modes Let your camera take control

Get started quickly by giving your DSLR control of the basic settings and letting it do the hard work for you

WHEN YOU’RE READY to take a shot, you’ll need to decide which shooting mode to use. There are multiple options available – including fully automatic, semi-automatic, manual and scene modes – which can be accessed via the mode dial on your camera’s top plate. Right now the options might seem bewildering, not least because they’re represented only by icons and letters, but we’ll make it easy for you.

Full Auto mode is a good starting point for beginners. By handing over control of key settings to the camera, you can concentrate on careful framing. However, you will soon uncover its limitations.

We’d recommend you shoot with it until you feel comfortable taking pictures, then switch over to one of the more advanced shooting modes as you gain experience.

1Select Auto

The Full Auto mode on a camera usually appears on the mode dial as a green rectangular icon, or something similar. Turn the dial around to this point to activate it. Make sure you’re standing in a sturdy position, with your finger hovering over the shutter release, and your left arm tucked tightly into your body.

2Focus carefully

Make sure your lens is set to its autofocus (AF) mode. Now your lens will take care of the focusing for you, as long as you half-press the shutter release, and you’ll hear a beep when focus is achieved. In manual focus (MF), you are in complete control – simply turn the focus ring until your subject appears sharp.

3Flash light

If light levels drop when shooting in Auto mode, or you’re taking pictures indoors, the pop-up flash will automatically engage to throw extra light on your subject. Flash is also useful when shooting a subject with dark shadows against a bright background, sometimes referred to as ‘fill-in’ flash, as used in the image above.

4Take a different view

Now place your finger over the shutter button. Half-press the button to activate the autofocus and fully press the button down to take the shot. Try having a go at shooting a flower yourself, varying your angle of view, and zooming in and out, for more creative results. You could shoot just the centre of the flower, for example.