Aperture Priority Mode USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Aperture Priority Mode Aperture Priority Mode, often abbreviated as "A" or "Av" on camera mode dials, is a semi-automatic shooting mode available on many digital cameras. In this mode, the photographer manually sets the desired aperture value, while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to achieve a proper exposure based on the selected aperture and the camera's metering system. Aperture priority mode is favored by photographers who prioritize controlling depth of field, as it allows them to determine the size of the lens opening (aperture) to regulate the amount of light entering the camera and influence the focus range from foreground to background.

By adjusting the aperture, photographers can achieve creative effects such as shallow depth of field for portraits or landscapes, or deep depth of field for architectural or landscape photography. Aperture Priority Mode offers a flexible approach to exposure control, empowering photographers to concentrate on composition and creative vision while the camera handles exposure adjustments automatically.