Exposure program

Exposure programs are different modes of a camera that help the photographer in different exposure situations to capture the subject in the desired way. If necessary, they automatically adjust the camera's internal settings according to predefined priorities.

This is not a novelty. Originally there was only one mode (manual) and consequently no options. The photographer made all the settings himself. With the advancement of technology, however, the first exposure programs established themselves quite early.

Even analog cameras from the 1980s offered various modes like shutter priority , aperture priority and fully automatic to choose from. Nowadays all cameras offer a range of exposure programs, from compact cameras to SLRs , regardless of whether they are analog or digital . Usually these can be controlled using a selection dial or the camera menu.

There are three types of exposure programs:

Normal programs (fully automatic)
Fully automatic (fully automatic)
Creative programs (semi-automatic and manual)

Here again a distinction is made between programs that run automatically (only the trigger has to be pressed) or semi-automatic or manual (at least 1 value must be set manually).

functionality

Each exposure program has a specific characteristic. This specific characteristic is intended to make it easier to take technically correct images in certain exposure situations and is a combination of the following three factors:

These three values, which largely determine the image impression, are automatically preselected and are based on the recording conditions of the selected subject area. Two of the three factors are based on a factor that receives priority.

Fully automatic

The fully automatic program is often represented by a rectangle with rounded corners. The camera adopts the settings.

Normal programs

Common normal programs are portrait, landscape, close-up (also called macro), sport, night and one with the flash switched off. The composition of the programs to be selected varies depending on the camera type and manufacturer.

Sports

If you choose the sports exposure program, the camera automatically uses the shortest possible exposure times to capture movements without blurring and blurring. So that the picture does not become too dark due to this short exposure time, the camera selects a correspondingly large aperture (→ wide opening - more light incidence) and increases the ISO value if necessary. The priority here is the shutter speed.

night

In order to not only get black images at night, you need light. Since this is only partially available at night due to lamps, lanterns etc. and the amount of light falling into the lens is often not sufficient for a good exposure, the camera uses high ISO values and an open aperture, often also long shutter speeds. Since the image threatens to blur very quickly, the image stabilizer may switch on if it is available.

portrait

When taking portraits, it is often desirable to have the person in the foreground in focus, but to blur the background to keep the focus on the subject. The camera selects an open aperture in the “portrait program” in order to reduce the depth of field . To compensate for this, the camera works with short shutter speeds and possibly lower ISO values so that the image is not overexposed. The priority here is the aperture.

Fully automatic

The camera automatically selects all settings depending on the image section, light situation, image dynamics (e.g. movement) etc. A technically correct image should be created, with drawing (visibility of structures and halftones, or tonal value gradations) especially in the shadows and highlights, balanced contrasts and medium color saturation as well as no motion blur. In addition, it is automatically determined whether an internal flash is switched on and to what extent the picture is brightened by the flash.

Creative programs

Creative programs offer the possibility of influencing the image effect more individually and aim at the creative aspect of photography. It does not matter here whether a picture is taken “technically perfect”. If you want, you can z. For example, you can create recordings with a high-key or low-key character, which is only possible to a limited extent in normal programs, if at all, and cannot be particularly influenced.

Automatic program (P)

Works in the same way as the fully automatic mode, except that no flash is used and certain parameters can be set by yourself.

Aperture Priority (Av, A) (Aperture Value, Aperture Priority)

Here the aperture is selected manually and the exposure time is determined automatically, so that a balanced image impression with regard to the brightness distribution etc. is guaranteed.

Shutter Priority (Tv, S) (Time Value, Shutter Priority)

The exposure time is set manually and the camera determines the aperture.

Manual exposure control (M)

Everything is set manually and nothing is regulated independently by the camera. This mode is essential for creative design in photography and is, so to speak, the "original mode" that every good photographer can master and use.

Automatic depth of field (A-Dep)

The automatic depth of field automatically selects an aperture / exposure time combination, which guarantees a large depth of field between a near and a distant object. This setting is suitable e.g. B. for landscape shots and situations in which both the foreground and the background should be sharp.

Motive capture

All semi and fully automatic exposure programs have the property of giving priority to certain factors (aperture, exposure time, or ISO value). This makes it easier to perceive the subject depending on the situation.

However, they do not guarantee that a motif will really be captured optimally, as they are only based on standardized presets and guidelines. It is therefore essential for the photographer, should he use one of these programs, to be familiar with the functionality as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the individual modes and to be able to assess and assess their efficiency in individual situations.

If you know about the targeted correct use of the individual exposure programs, they are definitely a useful aid in achieving the desired image impression.