What the Auto Functions Are Used For

Camera’s now a day’s do many things automatically. They even come with some very standard options that can help you take great photos in just about any situation. Most cameras today come with some pretty common selections among most camera models. I have touched on these in the past but here is a little refresher.  Here are some examples with some general explanations:

• Portrait: Portrait mode is great for doing close-ups plain and simple. If you want something to focus that is very close to the lens, use this mode.
• Nightscape: Nightscape settings are great for low light situations. If you are outside at night or around dusk or simply in a very dimly lit area, use this setting. It will automatically adjust ISO and shutter speed to account for the additional time needed to capture light.
• Kids and Pets: This is great for actions shots. It can sometimes be refered to as Sports also. If you are taking photos of moving objects like your kids at a soccer game then use this mode. It works well with non sports related activities like dancing and taking a photo of someone riding a bike. Anything where the camera might be in motion or the subject will be in motion when the photo is being taken. The camera will adjust for a faster shutter speed and faster ISO.
• Party: This is a relatively new feature. The Canon SD 1300 has it and it is great for exactly what it stands for Party shots. It works similar to Sports mode in the sense that you can take photos of moving subjects more easily however it should adjust for more dimly lit situations better as well.
• Landscape: This is a great mode for when you want to take a photo and you want most of the image to remain in focus. For instance you want to take a photo of your family against a popular backdrop. You want both in focus but they may both be in different planes of view. Use this setting to get a clear, crisp image.

As you can see these are just a few and if you look through your camera’s menu and user guide it should give you examples and explanations of what is offered on your device. Hope this helps!

Until next time, Happy Shooting!

-Robert Hillis