Semi-Automatic Control - Creativity Even in Auto Mode

>garbage can, do I want all the garbage can in
In the old days, when someone mentionedfocus?  No.  I only want to see my
"f-stops", we knew they were going to talk aboutgranddaughter, so I choose a “Small” Depth
"Depth of Field". To those of you who haveof Field. If on the other hand, this cute kid is
never seen an f-16, don’t worry,playing in Zion’s National Park in front of a
it’s not your fault.  In this world ofwaterfall, do I want both child and water fall in
automatic cars and power windows, it stands tofocus?  Yes.  That’s when I use a
reason that automatic cameras, would some daylandscape mode (the small mountain and cloud),
dominate the market.  That day has come. Itbecause that’s when the camera would
occurs to me, that if I mention the phrasepick a “Large” Depth of field. The easiest
f-Stops, there are a growing number of youngway to remember this is:  small child equals a
photographers who don’t know whatsmall amount in focus.  Large Mountain equals a
I’m talking about. That’s not bad, iflarge amount in focus.  The small runner is a
you know what they do.  In the old days, whensports mode.  This allows the camera to pick a
someone mentioned "f-stops", we knew theyfast shutter speed which can stop action. The
were going to talk about "Depth of Field". Toopposite would be the person with a star. 
those of you who have never seen an f-16,Although basically meant as a night shot mode, it
don’t worry, it’s not your fault.  Inalso forces the camera to use a slower shutter
this world of automatic cars and power windows,speed, good for dreamy effects on moving
it stands to reason that automatic cameras,water. The flower is a close-up mode - which is
would some day dominate the market.  Thatsimilar to the portrait mode, but on a much closer
day has come. In most cameras you now seescale. In most cases, the Depth of Field is fairly
several "automatic settings". These include: thesmall.  Remember that close-up generally means
green rectangle, the small child’s head, thetaking pictures within a foot or two, NOT an inch
mountain with a cloud, the small runner, a flower,or two.  To get that close you either need a
and a person with a star over one shoulder.Thespecial Macro Lens . . . or a set of Close-Up filters
green rectangle means go.  Quick, don’tto increase your magnification. The person with a
think about the settings, just startstar over one shoulder indicates a long
shooting. Unfortunately, this gives you very littleexposure.  Don’t even play with this
creative control. It is a great mode for snap shotsmode unless you are using a tripod.  This is
or someone who is too intimidated by cameras inwhere you start shooting in full seconds, full
general. The girl’s head is a portrait mode;minutes, or even hours.  Great for fireworks or
meaning the camera will pick a small f-stop, givinglightning, but not something you want to hold by
you a small depth of field.  Before I go too far,hand. Knowing what the symbols are for, gives
let me explain the idea of depth of field better.you much more creative control than always
Hold a pencil out at arms length and stare at theshooting in green mode. Remember your camera
tip. Now look beyond the pencil. As the sharpis like a paint brush to the painter, you control
pencil tip becomes soft and the soft backgroundhow much light to apply to the photo.  Point and
becomes sharp this is "Depth of Field". The humanshoot cameras that offer NO adjustments, are
eye can only focus on one point at a time; butfor tourist not photographers.  As long as your
how wide that area of focus is, does varycamera has options; whether they are manual or
greatly.  If I want to take a picture of my cuteautomatic you still have choices.
granddaughter who’s playing beside the