Aperture priority mode

Using Aperture Priority mode is like being a conductor leading an orchestra.

Just as a conductor determines the balance and intensity of each instrument, Aperture Priority mode allows you to control the depth of field in your photographs, orchestrating the perfect harmony between the foreground and the background.

Just as the conductor shapes the mood and emotion of a musical piece, Aperture Priority mode empowers you to shape the narrative and atmosphere of your images...

What is aperture priority mode?

Aperture Priority mode, also known as Av (Aperture Value) or A (Aperture) mode, is a camera shooting mode that offers a perfect balance between manual control and automation, granting photographers the freedom to control one critical aspect of their photographs -- the aperture.

In order to truly understand Aperture Priority Mode, you must know what aperture is.

Aperture refers to the opening in the lens that determines how much light will enter the camera. Think of the aperture as the gatekeeper that regulates the amount of light that will reach your camera's image sensor. Your aperture plays two major roles in your images: it controls the exposure and depth of field.

1. Controlling exposure

As we've touched on in previous guides, the exposure in your images is essentially how bright or dark your image will be. The exposure triangle consists of three elements: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These control exposure.

2. Controlling depth of field

Along with being an element within the exposure triangle, the aperture also controls the depth of field in your images.

Aperture is measured in f-stops, and the lower the f-stop number, the wider the aperture (e.g., f/1.8), and the higher the f-stop number, the narrower the aperture (e.g., f/16).

Wider apertures allow you to capture sharp focus on a specific point. They are great for portrait photography, headshot photography, or product photography, where you are trying to emphasize one subject. Wide apertures are also what will allow you to capture that bokeh look.

Narrower apertures allow you to capture the whole scene in focus, which is great for group photos, street photography, or landscape photography.

Now that we know what Aperture Priority Mode is, let's examine when to use it.

When to use aperture priority mode?

In short, you will want to use Aperture Priority Mode when you want to manually control your aperture while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed and ISO for you.

Capturing a beautiful photograph consists of you making many correct micro choices. However, one choice that plays a big part in whether to use Aperture Priority Mode is based on what genre or niche of photography you are photographing.

That said, let's examine example niches that are great for using Aperture Priority Mode.

Portrait photography

As mentioned earlier, when capturing portraits, it's all about isolating your subject and creating a pleasing background blur (also known as bokeh).

By using Aperture Priority Mode and selecting a wide aperture (small f-number), such as f/1.8 or f/2.8, you can achieve a shallow depth of field, ensuring your subject stands out sharply against a beautifully blurred background. This technique directs the viewer's attention to the main subject, emphasizing their presence and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

Macro photography

In the world of macro photography, Aperture Priority mode can be a game-changer.

When shooting intricate details of small subjects like flowers, insects, or jewelry, using a narrow aperture (large f-number), such as f/11 or f/16, ensures that a larger portion of the subject remains in focus. Or if you want to capture a specific detail, such as the eye on an insect, then using a wide aperture (small f-number), such as f1/.8, is the way to go.

This allows you to capture fine textures, patterns, and nuances, creating visually striking images that showcase the subject's delicate beauty.

Landscape photography

Using Aperture Priority Mode is great for landscape photography.

When capturing sweeping vistas or vast landscapes, you typically want everything from the foreground to the background to be in sharp focus. To achieve this, you can select a narrow aperture (large f-number), such as f/11 or f/16, which will maximize the depth of field.

This allows you to create images that showcase the intricate details throughout the entire scene, from the nearest rocks to the distant mountains.

How to use aperture priority mode?

Using Aperture Priority Mode is fairly simple; you switch the knob on your camera to Aperture Priority Mode, and voilà! Okay, while that is true, maybe it's not as simple as that...

Here are the steps you should follow to use Aperture Priority Mode correctly. These are the same exact steps I take into consideration when using this mode.

1. Set your camera to aperture priority mode

The first step is to set your camera to Aperture Priority Mode. In order to do this, turn the mode dial on your camera to select "Av" (Aperture Value) or "A" (Aperture) mode. Check your camera's user manual if you're unsure about the specific dial or menu option for Aperture Priority Mode on your model.

2. Choose your desired aperture

When using Aperture Priority mode, you can select the aperture setting that best suits your creative vision. Use the control dial or buttons on your camera to adjust the aperture value. As mentioned earlier, a small f-number (e.g., f/1.8) represents a wide aperture, resulting in a shallow depth of field, while a larger f-number (e.g., f/11) signifies a narrow aperture, yielding a greater depth of field.

3. Observe your exposure settings

As you change your aperture value (f-stop), note how the camera adjusts the other exposure settings, such as shutter speed and ISO. Aperture Priority mode maintains proper exposure by automatically adapting these settings to achieve a well-exposed image. Keeping an eye on these adjustments ensures that your images are properly exposed under different lighting conditions.

4. Monitor the depth of field

Aperture Priority mode empowers you to control the depth of field and, consequently, the sharpness and blur in your images. As you select different aperture settings, visualize the effect on the depth of field through the camera's viewfinder or LCD screen. A wider aperture creates a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject and blurring the background, while a narrower aperture increases the depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.

5. Consider your lighting conditions

When using Aperture Priority mode, be mindful of the available light.

In low-light situations, widening the aperture (using a small f-number) allows more light to enter the camera, enabling faster shutter speeds and reducing the risk of camera shake or motion blur. In bright conditions, narrowing the aperture (using a larger f-number) helps to control the amount of light and avoid overexposure.

6. Experiment and refine

Aperture Priority mode provides a platform for experimentation and creativity. Try using different aperture settings for various subjects and compositions. Explore the interplay between depth of field, focal point, and background blur.

Refine your technique by reviewing your images and analyzing how the chosen aperture setting influenced the overall aesthetic. Now that we know how to use Aperture Priority mode let's dive into some tips I recommend to all beginners when they start using Aperture Priority Mode.

When to avoid aperture priority mode?

While Aperture Priority Mode is a valuable tool, there are certain situations where it may not be the ideal shooting mode.

1. Fast-paced action photography

The first scenario you may want to avoid using Aperture Priority Mode is fast-paced action photography.

If you're capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife, Aperture Priority mode may not be the best choice where the objective will be to match the speed of the fast-moving subject. In these situations, using Shutter Priority mode (Tv or S mode) or Manual mode allows you to prioritize a faster shutter speed to freeze the action and avoid motion blur.

By manually setting the shutter speed, you can ensure sharpness and capture those split-second moments with precision.

2. Low-light photography without a tripod

The second scenario you may want to avoid using Aperture Priority Mode is with low-light photography without a tripod.

In challenging lighting conditions, such as a nightclub or at night where you don't have a tripod or external light source, relying solely on Aperture Priority mode may result in slower shutter speeds. This can lead to unwanted camera shake and blurred images.

In such scenarios, switching to Manual mode or using a shooting mode specifically designed for low-light situations (such as Night mode or Bulb mode) allows you to have better control over both the aperture and shutter speed.

3. Consistent background exposure with flash photography

The third scenario you may want to avoid using Aperture Priority Mode is with artificial lighting, such as an off-camera flash or studio strobes. When using artificial lighting, such as off-camera flash or studio strobes, Aperture Priority mode might not provide consistent background exposure.

In such cases, using Manual mode gives you precise control over both the aperture and flash power, ensuring a balanced exposure between the subject and the background.

In conclusion, Aperture Priority mode proves invaluable for various photography genres, serving as a valuable asset rather than a substitute for manual mode.

It offers a quicker approach to achieving optimal manual settings, even amidst changing conditions, while minimizing the risk of exposure errors. Naturally, there are instances when Aperture Priority mode may not be the most suitable choice.

Nonetheless, the advantages of Aperture Priority mode remain noteworthy. With a solid understanding of its capabilities, photographers can yield a higher number of successful shots and achieve superior exposure, all within a significantly reduced timeframe.