Have you discovered the joys of Manual mode? In this presentation, we offer a quick tutorial to get you up to speed on Manual mode - including the basics of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. If you're looking to bring greater flexibility and artistry into your photography, this presentation is for you.

1. Using Your Camera
Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO

2. The Joys of Manual Mode
As more and more people give up their point and shoots for
digital SLR and
compact ILC cameras,
they learn the versatility
and creativity afforded by
switching their cameras to
manual mode.

3. The Aspects of Manual Mode
When you switch your camera into manual mode, you take
control of the amount of light that gets let into your
camera. And in photography, light is everything.

4. Aperture
Together with shutter speed and ISO, your camera’s
aperture helps control the amount of light that enters
your camera.
The smaller the aperture, the larger the opening, and the
more light that gets in.

5. Shutter Speed
If aperture governs the amount of
light that enters the camera,
shutter speed controls
the amount of time that light
has to reach the camera’s
sensor.
Photographers can use a slower shutter speed to slow
down a chaotic scene, and a higher shutter speed to
capture action shots.

6. ISO
ISO is the number that regulates a camera’s light
sensitivity. The lower the ISO, the lower the light
sensitivity; the higher the ISO, the higher the light
sensitivity.
Higher ISOs enable the camera
to capture images in low light
without the use of a flash.
Note: ISO can be tricky. Dial
it up too far, and you increase
the likelihood that your
photos will appear grainy.

7. So, What’s the Perfect Setting?
Unfortunately, there is no aperture-shutter-speed-ISO
“sweet spot.” Light conditions, subject variabilities, and
your purpose for the photo will determine which
combination you use.
If you let too much light in, for example, you will
overexpose your image; don’t let enough light in, and
your image will be underexposed.

8. Our Advice? Play.
It’s important to play around in with your camera. Treat it
like a musical instrument. You would never expect to
pick up a guitar and play it perfectly the first time. The
same is true with photography. So, practice,
remembering that you’re not capturing images, you’re
capturing light.

9. Using Manual Mode
Ready to play? Switch your camera’s setting into Manual
Mode by turning to M on the main dial. Then, use your
camera’s owners’ manual
for instructions on
setting aperture, ISO
and shutter speed.
For more information about
aperture and depth of field,
please visit our blog.

10. About Cameta
Cameta Camera is a true
brick-and-mortar camera store
in Amityville, NY. We’ve been
selling photography equipment
and distilling advice to professionals
and hobbyists alike more than 25 years.
For more photography tips, visit our blog at
Cameta.com/blog.