There are several modes and features in your digital camera. In addition, the hardware also comes with a manual filled with different photographic terminologies, which are difficult to understand. However, sound knowledge and understanding of the modes on your camera are essential for clicking epic pictures. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss one of the most vital modes on your camera – the Aperture priority (Av) mode. You will also learn everything you need to know about this mode and how and when to shoot images with it.
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Understanding The Av Mode On Your Digital Camera
The Av mode on your camera stands for Aperture priority mode. The aperture priority mode is a semiautomatic mode or program that allows the user to select the most ideal or suitable aperture value. And on the other hand, the camera automatically selects an appropriate corresponding shutter speed. This means that, in aperture priority mode, the photographer sets the aperture and the camera automatically handles the shutter speed settings. Av mode is the opposite of the shutter priority (Tv) mode.
The shutter priority (Tv) mode is essential when shooting fast-moving photographic subjects. In contrast, the Aperture priority mode is useful when shooting in natural light or when using continuous lights. This mode is suitable for shooting in natural light because it gives you total control over your aperture value. Therefore, you can easily regulate the amount of light entering your image sensor.
Although both Av and Tv modes are suitable for clicking photographs of unpredictable subjects, the aperture priority mode is commonly used by photographers. Because the camera will give more priority to your set aperture value and thus creates room for more exposure and field of depth. Generally, aperture priority mode is a suitable compromise between auto and full manual modes.
Recall that in auto mode, your camera will automatically evaluate and decides the most suitable exposure (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) settings based on the scene. On the other hand, in manual mode, you are in total control of all the settings. However, most photographers prefer clicking images in almost all scenarios using the Av mode. Nevertheless, the aperture priority mode is not suitable for all forms of photography. Some situations require shooting in full manual mode, shutter priority mode, or even in auto mode; to get the best exposure and thus capture evenly lit and well-detailed images of your subjects.
Realistically, digital cameras are difficult to understand and operate. The Menu systems are filled with several options, making it difficult to get a perfect uniform setting. However, one must understand them to capture good photos.
We know that understanding the various types of cameras, settings, and techniques can be overwhelming if you are new to the photography industry. Thus, we have provided this master article – camera 101, to help all beginners and even experienced photographers understand their cameras.
Click Below to know all about Cameras, From start to end.
Nonetheless, the Av is the most suitable mode for shooting epic landscape and portrait photographs of your subjects. Therefore, let us have a glance at how to set and use the aperture priority mode on your camera.
How To Set And Use The Aperture Priority (Av) Mode On Your Camera
Aperture priority is one of the easiest options on your digital camera. Although many amateur photographers often find it difficult to distinguish how to set and use the Av and Tv modes, respectively. Nevertheless, here is an easy step-by-step guide to setting and using the Av mode.
1. Switch Your Camera’s Mode Dail To A or Av
Once you have a subject and are ready to shoot in aperture priority mode, gently rotate the mode or PSAM dial of your camera to A or Av. In this mode, your camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to correspond with your set aperture. This enhances your exposure.
2. Set An Appropriate Aperture Value
In aperture priority mode, you manually choose the most suitable aperture value for the shooting scene. Thus, to get the best experience, you must have sound knowledge and understanding of aperture.
The aperture controls the amount of light entering your image sensor. It is usually expressed in f-numbers such as f/2.8, f/5.6, f/22, etc. Changing the f-number changes the size of the opening through which light enters your image sensor through the camera lens. Higher f-numbers or narrow aperture opening allows less light into the camera, and a lower f-number or larger opening lets in more light into the device.
A quick tip: To adjust your camera’s aperture opening, rotate the command dial left for larger openings and right for narrower openings.
The higher the f-number, the greater the depth of the image that appears to be in focus. In contrast, smaller f-numbers reduce the distance between the closest and farthest objects that appears to be in focus. This is commonly referred to as depth of field. Thus, by manually adjusting the aperture, you are determining the field of depth in your pictures. And in aperture priority mode, your camera will never change whatsoever aperture value you set. Therefore, ensure setting an appropriate value for your desired depth of field.
Generally, you should use a large aperture when you want lots of background blur when doing portrait or macro photography. Using a larger opening allows you to isolate the subject from the background and place greater emphasis on one or more areas of the photographs. On the other hand, a small aperture opening is more suitable for landscape photography or other scenes when you want to have several subjects at various distances in focus. That is when you want more depth of field in the images.
Normally, an opening around f/5.6 to f/11 should be ideal when you need depth of field. However, you will notice that your shutter speed changes as you adjust the aperture. The lower your aperture value, the more the camera automatically increases the shutter speed to let in enough lighting and thereby create a balanced exposure.
Note: You will need a tripod when shooting with a long shutter speed. Otherwise, you might have image blur. In addition, a low shutter speed may also result in blurriness. Therefore, ensure there is balance. You can use the Auto ISO option to counter camera shakes and image blurs.
You can learn more about shutter speed in the article: How To Change Shutter Speed On Nikon And Canon Camera?
3. Set An Appropriate ISO
Another thing you must set manually in the aperture priority mode is the camera’s sensitivity to light (ISO). The normal range of a camera’s ISO is about 100 to 1600. However, with an advanced camera, you come low to 50 or as high as three million, depending on the camera model.
Generally, ISO brightens and darkens your snapshots. A low ISO (about 100 to 200) can help capture good photographs in overly lit conditions. On the other hand, a higher ISO value (about 800 to 1600) helps you to capture bright pictures when clicking in poorly lit scenes.
However, a higher ISO value can introduce noise to your photographs. Therefore, you must set an appropriate value that will result in optimal exposure.
Perhaps your subject is static in natural lighting; in that case, you consider using a base ISO value (100). We recommend between 400 to 800 ISO values if you are shooting in poorly lit scenes. However, if you are still unsure of the most appropriate value to set, you can use exposure compensation. This will help you to determine the best exposure.
Therefore, you might be interested in our article What is Flash Exposure Compensation? How to use this feature?. In addition, you can also learn more about ISO in our article A Guide To Set ISO For Low Light. Low Light Camera Settings.
4. Adjusts Other Camera Settings
For maximum output in aperture priority mode, you must also adjust other options in your camera. Some of these may include white balance, focus, image quality and size, and others.
You might be interested in our article: Settings For Indoor Photography With And Without Flash
Understanding When To Use The Av Mode On Your DSLR Camera
There are a few instances when you can shoot in aperture priority instead of shutter priority or program modes. You can use the Av mode when:
1. You are taking landscape shots and want everything to be in focus
You can use aperture priority mode to capture landscape photographs, especially when you want depth of field in the images. You can use a large f-number when there is a reasonable gap between the closest and farthest elements in the frame. This will ensure that everything is in focus. Typically, an aperture opening of about f/8 to f/16 is ideal for such epic shots. With this, you can easily click the shots from a distance.
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2. You want to create a dramatic background effect
Shooting in the Av mode can help you create creamily or bokeh background effects that will make your subject interesting and distinguishable from everything else around it. You can use the smallest possible f-number to get the creamiest or dramatic blurry background effects.
You might be interested in our article: What Is Framing In Photography? How To Use It?
3. You want more control of the light entering the camera
Another instance to use the aperture priority mode is when you want to control the amount of light entering your image sensor. This is ideal when you are shooting in natural light and need to regulate the lighting.
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Generally, aperture priority mode is also suitable for shooting wildlife photographs, sports shows, landscape, and portrait shots.
When Should You Avoid The Av Mode On Your Camera?
Av is mostly preferred over manual mode. However, you should avoid it when shooting in low light without flash. In such a scenario, you will need a wide aperture, and this will make your camera automatically choose a slower shutter speed, thereby leading to blurry photos.
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Which Is The Best: Aperture Priority (Av) Mode Vs Shutter Priority (Tv) Mode?
Basically, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The shutter priority (Tv) mode is the most suitable for taking great photos of fast-moving subjects. Several photographers often use the Tv for sports and wildlife photography. On the other hand, aperture priority (Av) mode is the most suitable for landscape, portrait, and macro photography. Several professional photographers employ the Av mode because of the depth of field it creates in photographs.
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Therefore, it depends on what you are clicking, your scene (lighting conditions), and how much control you want over the camera. However, if you are just starting out in photography; in that case, we recommend aperture priority mode because it is a great way to learn about aperture speed and how it affects your photos.
Nevertheless, you can learn more about shutter priority mode in our article: What Is Tv (S) Mode On My DSLR Camera? How And When To Use It?
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