Shooting photos in auto mode is a safe bet—you don't have to worry about the lighting or remember to set one of the hundred settings on your camera. And your photos will turn out okay in the end.

As much as the auto mode is helpful, it can also be limiting for your creativity. That's why experienced photographers urge you to get out of it. But, before going fully manual, give other modes on your camera a chance.

Shutter priority mode is one such mode that will give you creative freedom without overwhelming you. Let's learn all about it below.

What Is Shutter Priority Mode?

Have you tried taking a picture of a fast-moving subject like a speeding car, only to find that the image is all blurry? That's because your camera's shutter speed is too slow to freeze the car's motion. You have to increase the shutter speed to capture it.

In such scenarios, you can use shutter priority mode on your camera. It is a semi-automatic mode, similar to the more famous aperture priority mode. In shutter priority mode, you set the shutter speed and ISO while the camera takes care of the aperture.

In most cameras, shutter priority mode is denoted as S on the camera dial. If you own a Canon camera, you can see it as Tv. Here's how to change the shutter speed and aperture on Canon cameras.

Why You Should Use Shutter Priority Mode

Here are some reasons why you should consider using shutter priority mode over manual mode.

Ease of Use

Women with camera

The main reason why you should opt for shutter priority is that it is an easy mode to learn. Unlike the manual mode, where you're in charge of all the settings, you only have to worry about the shutter speed in S mode.

To understand this better, let's brush up on our lesson on the exposure triangle. The aperture, shutter speed, and ISO must be perfectly balanced to get the correct exposure.

In manual mode, you have to be fiddling with all three parameters. This is bad news when working with fast-moving subjects or when the light is rapidly changing. If you're not quick, you may end up losing the shot.

Capture Motion

Wildlife Photographer

With shutter priority mode, you only have to concentrate on the shutter speed because your priority is to capture your subject in sharp focus. The S mode is quick and convenient for this reason. Your camera will take care of the aperture, and you can leave the ISO at the base value of 100.

If your subject is moving fast, you must aim to keep your shutter speed over 1/250th of a second to get sharp images.

Access to Other Settings

Camera Settings

Shutter priority is a semi-automatic mode, so it gives you a lot of control. Are your images looking too dark or bright? Tweak the exposure compensation settings to get the right look. With the exposure compensation settings, you can tell your camera to let in more or less light than its light meter values.

Also, you can set auto ISO, so you don't have to check it often. Plus, you can select the maximum ISO value if you don't want your ISO to go higher than a specific value.

When You Should Use Shutter Priority Mode

Now that you know why to use shutter priority, let's look at some real-life scenarios where this mode can be handy.

Birds and Wildlife Photography

Hummingbird

If you've tried wildlife photography before, you know how crucial each moment is. Birds and animals are adept at hiding and scurrying away, so you have no time to let your guard down.

You can choose a fast shutter speed and forget about the other settings. However, if you're worried about getting a very shallow depth of field, bump your ISO to a moderate value.

Freezing Water Photos

Waterfalls Slow Shutter Speed

When you want to take dreamy and creamy water photos, turn your camera dial to S mode. Instead of opting for a higher speed, you will choose a slow shutter speed, often in seconds, to freeze the motion of water.

The aperture value can be a dealbreaker in landscape photography—you want corner-to-corner sharp photos. So, make sure to adjust the ISO or switch to auto ISO such that the depth of field is not too shallow.

Sports and Action Shots

Motorsport

Sports photography can be challenging because you must make split-second decisions and get the right shots at the right time. So, S mode is preferred for any action photos because you can freeze the action and capture the moment perfectly.

Shooting From a Moving Vehicle

Taking photo from car

Shutter priority can be helpful when you're moving. Imagine when you're in a moving boat or car, your shutter speed should be relatively high to capture the outdoor scenes. If your shutter speed is low, you will end up with a blurry mess.

Shutter priority mode lets you take quick shots without touching the other settings when you're on the move.

Child Photography

Girl playing

Kids are adorable but can also be sneaky when you want them to pose for a photo. When your subject is a high-energy, bouncing kid, go for shutter priority mode.

How to Use Shutter Priority Mode

Using shutter priority mode is pretty simple. Most cameras have the S mode on the camera dial. However, in some cameras, you may have to search for the mode by navigating the menu. Check your camera manual for more information.

Set your ISO to a lower number, like 100. Adjust your ISO to a higher number when you're in a low-light situation. If you want to keep things simple, switch to auto ISO. Then, adjust the other settings like white balance, focus modes, and so on. Finally, set your shutter speed to the desired value.

When you half-press the shutter button, you will be able to see the aperture and ISO value. Just check if you're happy with the settings, and take the shot.

If you're unhappy with the image, try adjusting the shutter speed value. If that doesn't give you desired results, try changing the ISO or dial-in exposure compensation.

Consider Shutter Priority Mode for Capturing Fast Subjects

While learning to work in manual mode is highly desirable, don't overlook the helpful modes like shutter priority. It can make your life a little easier and help you nail the focus on difficult subjects.

You can understand how the exposure triangle changes when you work with easy modes like shutter priority or aperture priority. Then, with enough practice, you can work confidently and level up to manual mode.