‘Program’ Mode
Manual – Goooood. Auto – Baaaaad
This is the deranged chant of camera-club traditionalists who think photographs taken using a manual setting are somehow more worthy. Don’t listen to them.
When you’re starting out, one of the best modes you’ll ever use is P.
P stands for ‘Posh Auto’ or, more accurately, ‘Program’. This is the mode to use if you want your camera to sort out all the technical number stuff for you so you can concentrate on honing your eye. And, unlike the fully ‘Auto’ mode, using P gives you a certain amount of all-important creative freedom.
Firstly, using P means your flash won’t automatically fire. This is good, as your flash will more than likely ruin your shot. Secondly, you can change your ISO, which is something you definitely need to know about.
But before we learn about either of these things, it’s time to introduce you to the first member of the exposure trio – shutter speed.