The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/1000D Companion

Scene Modes Revisited

We will be returning to some exposure discussion when we get to Chapter 6 and a discussion of the XS's priority and manual modes. For now, though, you have all of the tools and understanding you need to shoot just about any situation, all from within Program mode.

In Chapter 1 you learned about the XS's scene modes, those special automatic modes that are designed for shooting in specific circumstances. Let's take another quick look at those with your new understanding of exposure.

Portrait mode

tries to choose an exposure that will blur out the background. So, you now know that what it's up to is trying to choose an exposure with a wide aperture (lower f-number), since a wider aperture produces a shallower depth of field. And, you also now know that if it's using a wider aperture, then it must use a faster shutter speed to compensate (a wider aperture lets in more light, so you need a shorter exposure time).

Landscape mode

does the exact opposite from Portrait mode. It uses a smaller aperture (bigger number) to increase depth of field. This will usually result in a slower shutter speed. When the shutter speed drops below what the camera thinks is appropriate for handholding the camera at your current focal length, then it will flash the shutter speed readout as a warning.

Close-up mode

opts for a shallower depth of field, just like Portrait mode. So, this means wider aperture.

Sports mode

aims for motion stopping power, which you now know means faster shutter ...