Exposure settings and what they mean

Program mode: (P)

Cameras such as the Minolta X-700 or the Canon AE-1 Program have fully automatic exposure controls known as program mode. When you press the shutter button, the camera will determine the most appropriate aperture and shutter speed to use in order to properly expose your image.

Note: You may still need to set the ISO on the camera body according to film that you have inserted.

 

Aperture priority: (Av)

A semi-automatic form of exposure control. Before taking a photo you will need to choose what aperture you want to shoot at. When you press the shutter button, the camera will determine the most appropriate shutter speed for you.

The aperture is usually selected on the lens itself and goes from a low number such as f/1.8, up to a high number such f/22. The lower the number the more light is let in. It also causes the background to become more blurry (similar to portrait mode on your phone).

Shutter speed priority: (Tv)

Another form of semi-automatic exposure control. Before taking a photo you will need to choose what shutter speed you want to shoot at. When you press the shutter button the camera will determine the most appropriate aperture for you.

The shutter speed refers to how fast the shutter opens or closes. It can either be found on a dial on the camera body, or on a ring around the lens. It should range from a high number such as 1000, down to a lower number such as 2. 1000 is actually shorthand for 1/1000 of a second and 2 would actually mean 1/2 of a second, therefore the higher the number, the faster the shutter speed. A fast shutter is useful for taking pictures of sports or fast moving subjects such as dogs. You may need to use a slower shutter speed if the sun is setting as more light needs to be let in in order to properly expose the image.

Note: Make sure to use a tripod for shutter speeds lower than 1/60 or else your images may be blurry

Aperture priority (Orange) and Shutter priority (Green) on a Minolta XD-7

Manual exposure: (M)

Found on almost all SLRs, this setting requires you to set the ISO when you insert the film, then set the aperture and shutter speed before taking your photo.

Cameras such as the Pentax K1000 are fully manual but may have an inbuilt light meter to help you choose the correct setting. If your camera does not have an inbuilt light meter it may be beneficial to purchase an external light meter such as a KEKS light meter.

Where to find the aperture and shutter speed on a Pentax K1000