IIf you recently bought a digital camera and are getting acquainted with it, you should see a dial with the letters M, A, S, P, and the word AUTO. This is the exposure mode dial. In AUTO, the camera is in point and shoot mode where exposure functions are set automatically, M is for manual mode. This gives you full control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. S stands for Shutter Priority. In this mode you pick the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture and ISO. A is for Aperture priority. This mode allows you to choose the aperture while the camera sets the appropriate Shutter Speed and ISO. Program mode, marked as “P” on the mode dial of many digital cameras, is a semi-automatic exposure mode where the camera automatically selects both the aperture and the shutter speed based on the lighting conditions to produce a well-exposed image. Unlike full Auto mode, Program mode still gives you some creative control.
Getting Started: exposure Settings and the Mode Dial
Whether you have a beginner-friendly camera or a more advanced model, learning how to control your camera’s exposure settings will make a huge difference in your photos. Most camera brands have a mode dial on top with letters such as M, A, S, P, and AUTO. These refer to modes that control the three key exposure settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Understanding these modes will help you move beyond simple point-and-shoot snapshots toward creating photos that truly capture the action, light, and beauty of wildlife.
Exposure Modes Explained: auto, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Program
AUTO Mode: Point and shoot
Manual (M): Full Control of aperture, shutter speed and ISO
Aperture Priority (A): You select f stop – camera sets the shutter speed and ISO
Shutter Priority (S): You select shutter speed – camera sets aperture and ISO
Program (P): Semi-Automatic
Why Beginners Should Practice Manual Mode in Wildlife Photography
Manual mode might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s a powerful tool—especially for wildlife photography, where lighting and action can change quickly.
For example, with Manual mode, you can freeze motion of a bird mid-flight, keep the right exposure during sunset, or create stunning portraits of animals with blurred backgrounds—all by choosing your settings yourself.
You may not yet be ready to commit to shooting entirely manual and that’s alright. You can start out with the A (Aperture Priority) or the S (Shutter Priority) as your training wheels. Doing this will give you control of the aperture or shutter speed while allowing the camera to choose the other two.
Regardless of the level of camera you start out with, understanding the concepts behind these modes will help you improve no matter what you shoot with.
What’s Next: Mastering the Exposure Triangle
Learning the mode dial is just the beginning. Once you’re comfortable choosing between AUTO, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Program, the real craft begins: learning how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together. In the following post on using Manual Mode and the Exposure Triangle, I’ll show how these settings work together so you can set your camera with intention and capture wildlife the way you experienced it.
Keep learning, practicing, and most importantly, enjoying every moment you spend photographing wildlife!
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