- The mode dial is on top of virtually every model of DSLR camera.

- The mode selected will determine how you are going to take your shot and should be picked based on your working environment.

- The two major factors in each shot you take are the aperture value and shutter speed.

- Aperture values indicate how wide the aperture will open and how much light is let in through the lens.

- Shutter speed determines how long the shutter stays open and how much time light has to travel through.

- M is for manual, A or Av is for aperture priority mode, T or Tv is for shutter priority mode and P is for program mode.

- Other settings include full auto, portrait, macro mode and more, depending on your model.

- In the various scene modes the camera will be set to optimize those particular conditions.