Chapter 6: Training Wheels Off: Going Beyond the Green Mode

Almost all digital cameras (there are some pro models that are exceptions) have a “green” or Automatic exposure mode — a mode that makes all of your exposure decisions for you, regardless of what your subject is or what types of situations you’re encountering. For the vast majority of camera owners, that’s exactly where the exposure-mode dial remains, unless, of course, their six-year-old gets a hold of it and starts spinning dials wildly (which might actually lead to some interesting experimental photos). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking pictures in the green mode because in a lot of ordinary situations, like the colorful and brightly lit little vignette that I shot in front of an antique store in Greenville, Maine, that mode ....