Photo How To

Shutter Priority and Manual are the two exposure modes that stand out for capturing sharp images of fast-moving subjects, whether you're shooting sports, birds in flight, or energetic kids running around the house. This important tutorial from the Hamed Photography YouTube channel demonstrates how each mode works and when one delivers better results than the other.

Hamed regularly shares tips for mastering shooting techniques, demystifying camera settings, and improving visual story telling skills, and today's episode checks off all the boxes. In less than nine minutes he reveals the benefits and drawbacks of these two exposure modes and explains why your choice "can make the difference between a sharp, frozen moment and a burry disappointment."

You'll also learn how to employ Auto ISO with both modes to achieve perfect exposures without compromising on shutter speed or depth of field. Hamed also discusses why enabling Burst mode and AF Tracking can be a big benefit too.

Hamed begins with an overview of how Shutter Priority works, situations where this mode is your best choice, and a few shooting techniques to employ. He describe this mode as "fast, flexible and beginner friendly:" You simply select an appropriate shutter speed and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture to get the light right.

As Hamed explains,  Shutter Priority is ideal when motion-freezing is the top priority and when lighting conditions are changing rapidly. This mode is especially advantageous when you need to react quickly and don't have time to fumble around with other camera settings. One of the limitations, however, is when your lens is already wide open and dim light causes you're photos to be underexposed.

This is when Manual mode comes into play and provides maximum creative control for predictable results. As he says, "this level of precision is perfect for situations where lighting is unchanging and you want your results to be repeatable across multiple shots." Manual mode is also a great choice in backlit and other trickly lighting scenarios when consistent exposure is a primary goal.

Be sure to visit the Hamed Photography YouTube channel when this lesson concludes and check back frequently for more tips and techniques.

And on a related note, don't miss our earlier tutorial from a mobile photography expert who explains everything you need to know for capturing dramatic iPhone photos of subjects in motion.