Basic Camera Symbols

Basic Symbols for camera settings

Macro/Close-Up this mode used for taking close-up pictures.
Party/Night longer exposures to capture darker scenes. Usually used with flash, and some nice motion effects can be created.
Portrait To attempt to blur out the background, camera will try to use the fastest available lens setting (aperture).
Landscape camera will attempt capture detail in foreground and background by using high f-stop (aperture) settings.
Sports To freeze motion, camera will use the highest shutter speed possible.
Aperture Priority Photographer sets the aperture (f-stop) and the camera will attempt to deliver a good exposure. Some cameras use an “A” icon instead of “Av”

Manual Full manual mode, the photographer must set both the shutter and the aperture. mode.

Auto The camera will completely control flash and exposure. On most cameras this is labelled “auto”, on others simply “A”. Some cameras only have (P)rogram.