Like a car has a steering to turn it onto a path where you want to go. Same is the situation for this part of DSLR, the Mode Dial. It is widely essential for a DSLR to be operated in user's way. Like a driver turns a car's steering left, right or reverses the car for his/her convenience, the Mode Dial does same with camera for user. This dial contains numerous modes that can be set according to the environmental situation. Let's talk about how many modes are there in this dial and how each one of them functions and for which purpose?
Contents of Mode Dial
Mode Dial consists of two categorised functions which are as follows:
1- Semi-automatic
2- Fully automatic
Difference between semi-automatic and Fully automatic functions?
In which the camera allows the user to adjust setting of shutter speed, aperture and ISO partly. Camera adjusts the remaining setting by itself. If the camera hands over the full control to photographer, this isn't a semi automatic function. It's called Manual Mode, in which camera itself steps out of the taking responsibility to make changes in image. Another one in which camera controls whole setting by itself to capture the scene better is called Fully automatic. The modes existing between the Manual and Auto mode, are called Semi Automatic Modes.
Following are the modes that a Mode Dial contains:
Auto Mode: The first and starting mode of this dial is Auto Mode. Printed in green color, this mode let the photographer capture the image by depending on camera because all the basic setting and functions are adjusted by camera itself . This mode is useful for newbies/beginner level photography where user tries to learn how to capture the best scenario putting all responsibilities on camera.
Programmed Auto: This mode counted as semi-automatic one. Allowing user to modify camera setting by limited means, this mode only controls ISO. The other two basic functions of aperture and shutter speed, the camera allows user to modify these two setting according to user's will. In this mode, flash is also controlled by user. User can modify many of the settings but few can't.
Shutter Priority Auto: As we know, shutter speed has the attribute of freezing motion and make the image sharp crispy. This mode of dial prioritise the shutter speed to capture moving objects in the way. In this case, user need to rotate the Mode Dial all the way to "S" mark.
Aperture Priority Auto: Another semi-automatic mode which is only used to control the aperture value. By setting the Mode Dial to "A" value, user will be able to have full authority over aperture value. Aperture has the quality to blur the background. It depends on how much a user selects the value of aperture which is also called F-Number (f/). High aperture value has less blurred background while low aperture value gives the more blurred background outcome.
Manual Priority Mode: This mode is neither automatic nor semi-automatic one, it's the one in which a camera unties it's almost all functions to let the user have full control over the camera. From shutter speed to aperture, then ISO and flash firing, metering to auto focus modes etc. To capture the image according to circumstances or user implement to work on a theme or concept, Manual Mode is perfect for them. ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Flash, Focus modes, Metering system etcetera all are available to choose high or low values for each one of them.
Scene Modes: Mode Dial consists of numerous scene modes that specifically designed to shoot pertinent scenes.
Portrait Mode: This mode is added to Mode Dial to shoot portraits only. Portrait mode focuses the subject/model clearly to output a sharp image, as well as it enhances facial structure by recognising face.
Night Mode: If daytime ran out and you're unable to shoot in light, No worries about shooting in dark. This dial is provided with a night mode feature that enhances the image captured in low light.
Landscape Mode: Loving landscapes isn't an awkward habit. The ones who love landscapes, they can utilize Landscape Mode feature to save a beautiful landscape in their memory albums.
No Flash Mode: This mode disables the flashlight from being ON. As flashlight's impact on image looks weird in low light, so professional photographers try to click the image without firing a flashlight. They use higher ISO to compensate darkness or low light, as a result they get a quality picture just by adding a good figure of ISO.
Macro Mode: Some photographers have a sweet habit of taking close-ups of ants, leaves, sand, water, food etc. This mode opens up aperture blades to get close to the subject in order to take picture in close-up.
Sports Mode: Capturing a fast moving object is the dream image of every photographer. Here's the mode that can make your this dream come true. To capture any sports activity or fast moving object with zero shaky effect, you should turn your dial onto Sports Mode. But one thing, to capture fast moving objects, there must be a massive amount of light to freeze motion. Inadequate light amount can cause the camera to fail freezing the motion.