The Mode Dial and Histograms – Jason's Photography class portfolio

What are the options on the mode dial? The mode dial on a camera provides a variety of different modes that adjust to different lighting, ISO settings, aperture, etc.

©Jason Camera: iPhone 13 Pro Exposure: 1/40sec @ f/1.8 and ISO-1000 Taken: 2025-10-28 14:46:57

How and when would you use the mode dial? Using the mode dial would be useful when you are looking for a specific photographic effect. For example, if you are looking to freeze motion you could use the sports mode setting on a mode dial.

Portrait Mode

Landscape

©Jason Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 Exposure: 1/400sec @ f/2 and ISO-400 Taken: 2025-10-21 14:48:06

©Jason Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 Exposure: 1/200sec @ f/10 and ISO-100 Taken: 2025-10-21 14:51:08

Portrait Mode

Sports Mode

©Jason Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 Exposure: 1/1000sec @ f/2 and ISO-100 Taken: 2025-10-21 14:52:09

©Jason Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 Exposure: 1/1000sec @ f/4.5 and ISO-100 Taken: 2025-10-21 14:50:47

Which mode feels most natural to use? Landscape mode felt most natural for me.

When might you choose manual mode over an automatic one? When you want to manipulate a photo’s exposure settings and shutter speed to your specific liking you are better off using a manual mode.

Featured Image

I chose this image as the featured image because of its representation of a manual mode. It displays the sports mode on the mode dial and shows how it freezes the motion in the photo by making the shutter speed very fast.