Aperture priority is a mode which makes the process of learning photography easier for beginners, but still enables you to learn everything you need to know, in order to shoot in full manual as well further down the line if you want to.
All modern cameras have a ‘light meter’ which assesses the available light in the scene and then either:
a) chooses what it thinks are the correct settings for you (if in auto or Program/P mode), or;
​
b) gives you a scale or a set of numbers at the bottom of the screen that shows you when it thinks the shot is correctly exposed (if in Manual/M mode) - enabling you to change the settings yourself
This light meter can also be used in other ways by selecting one of two ‘priority’ modes, which are aperture priority (Av on the mode dial on Canon and Pentax, A on all other makes) and shutter priority (Tv on the mode dial on Canon and Pentax, S on all other makes).
You can then set either the aperture or the shutter speed (depending on which priority mode you're using) and the light meter will automatically adjust the other one to ensure the shot is correctly exposed.
​
This makes the process of learning photography much easier, and also helps to keep beginners more engaged in the process - as you will end up with a far greater number of shots that you are happy with, especially in the early days.
I always recommend using aperture priority rather than shutter priority. This is because, for every shot you take, you need to make a conscious decision about the aperture you want, so you have the correct depth of field for the image. But, unless something in your image is moving (which in the majority of cases it isn't) then the shutter speed doesn't make a difference to the artistic outcome - as long as it's fast enough to hand hold.
The other thing to bear in mind with this approach is that you can override the exposure setting that the camera’s light meter chooses, if you think the shot is too dark or too light. This is done using something called 'exposure compensation', which is covered later on in the Initial Set-up section of the app. So in effect, aperture priority + exposure compensation basically gives you all of the same control as full manual.
​
Many professional photographers use aperture priority on a day to day basis, including professionals. You will however come across some people who tell you that you 'must learn in full manual', and while they are entitled to their opinion of course, don't ever think that using aperture priority is a bad thing.
​
Return to the PTiYP app to continue.
For information on my 1-2-1 tuition services - which are available in person, or online via Zoom - please visit my photography tuition page.
I can help with anything from off-auto level tuition and learning how operate your specific camera, through to advanced skills, image editing and portfolio reviews.