In this post, you’ll learn how Program Mode photography gives you both speed and creative control. Plus, I’ll share real-life examples that prove how powerful and practical this setting can be.
This is my 150th blog post! 🔥 Time to celebrate by looking back at some of my earliest DSLR photos and what I learned from them.
While I’d owned a Canon film SLR since the mid-1980s, I didn’t invest in a Digital SLR until 2008!
I appreciated the difference immediately.
I could finally practice without having to pay to print the photos.💰 And I quickly learned how valuable the camera settings were in the metadata. Now I could troubleshoot my images and really learn from them!
The first thing I did with my new Canon 40D was to switch from Auto Mode to Program Mode. I reasoned that it would be the perfect mode for learning my new camera. And I was right!
If you’ve ever thought Program Mode was just a stepping stone between Auto and Manual Mode, think again. It’s one of the most underrated camera settings—and it might just become your new favorite.
What Is Program Mode Photography?
Program Mode (marked “P” on your camera) allows the camera to select a well-balanced aperture and shutter speed for your scene—but the creative control stays in your hands.
With Program Mode photography, you can:
- Choose your focus point
- Adjust exposure compensation
- Set your ISO manually (or use Auto ISO)
- Decide whether or not to use the flash
It’s like having a fast, flexible assistant—your camera handles the math while you stay in charge of the vision. 😎
Why Program Mode Photography Is Worth Learning
1. Capture Fleeting Moments with Speed
Program Mode photography is perfect when you’re short on time and long on inspiration.
This red-shouldered hawk appeared on our roof, and I only had seconds to respond. I was starting out with my new Canon 40D, and this was the 108th photo I’d taken. With Program Mode, I could lock focus on the hawk and ignore the closer tree branches, capturing the moment clearly and confidently. ISO 400, f/16,1/250 sec.
2. Stay in Creative Control
Unlike Auto Mode, Program Mode lets you override critical settings.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that happened while we lived in Seoul. During a visit to the Joint Security Area at the DMZ, I wanted to capture the gravity of the scene. I wasn’t yet confident using advanced modes, but with Program Mode photography, I could adjust exposure and focus on the soldier, without fumbling and missing the moment. Photo #296, ISO 400, f/11, 1/250 sec.
These buildings are built on the border, with half being in the north and half in the south. You can see the border running between the buildings, behind the MP’s waist.
If you look carefully at the top of the photo, you’ll see three dark doors. There’s a North Korean guard standing in front of the door to the left.
3. Handle Challenging Light with Ease
From dark interiors to bright sun, Program Mode photography shines in unpredictable lighting.
Skip was working in London for a few weeks, and we decided to treat our daughter to a ride through the Chunnel to Paris. At London’s St. Pancras Station, I used Program Mode to shoot in early morning light without triggering the flash. I bumped the ISO and added +0.33 exposure compensation for brightness.
I love how it captures both her stillness and the movement of the commuters around her. Photo #6983. ISO 800, f/4.0, 1/15 sec, .33 EV.
4. Build Confidence While You Learn
Program Mode photography is a great stepping stone if you’re not ready for Manual Mode. It teaches you to think like a photographer without getting overwhelmed by technical choices.
This Eiffel Tower shot was taken on our trip to Paris. Program Mode let me experiment with angles while trusting the camera to get a balanced exposure. It remains one of my favorite travel photos. It’s hung in art galleries, and a print of it hangs in our house. Photo #6985. ISO 400, f/10, 1/200 sec.
When I first printed this photo, I couldn’t understand the inconsistent colors. Then I learned that the tower is actually painted in different colors as it rises, to increase the illusion of height!
More Program Mode Photography in Action
This bontebok came dashing through a sunlit field on a safari in the Cedarberg Mountains of South Africa. He really seemed to bounce as he ran! To focus on him, I used a single focus point and Program Mode to stay locked on the animal’s eye—and I captured the joyful motion with crisp detail.
Photo #8052. ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/500 sec.
This photo really shows the strength of Program Mode. We were eating dinner in the restaurant on the top floor of the Westin Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. I saw the waiter going around the room and lighting candles for the tables.
When he arrived at our table, I was ready with my camera and asked if I could take a photo. Because the flash didn’t go off, the candlelight lit his face and hands. The slow shutter speed captured the flare of the match. And I was able to focus on our waiter’s face. A flash would have ruined the ambiance.
Photo #8408. ISO 800, f/4.5, ¼ sec.
Tips to Master Program Mode Photography
- Use Auto ISO to keep it simple, or set it manually for more control
- Adjust brightness using the Exposure Compensation (+/-) dial
- Switch to Single Point Focus to tell your camera exactly where to focus
- Your flash won’t fire unless you turn it on!
Now It’s Your Turn
These photos were all taken within the first 15 months of owning my new camera. Can you imagine paying to print almost 8500 photos??? I was also experimenting with all the other modes. And a lot of my photos weren’t good, but I had the metadata to learn from. Now? I generally leave my camera set to Aperture Mode at f/4.0. It’s my favorite place to start.
That’s the advantage of a digital camera. You can experiment and see your settings to learn what you like the best.
If you’re stuck in Auto Mode but not ready for the more advanced modes, Program Mode photography could be your sweet spot. It offers the speed of auto with the creative control of the pros.
🎓 Ready to take full control of your camera?
Join my Camera Mechanics Workshop and learn how your camera works—so you can confidently capture the moments that matter.
Grab my free Quickstart Guide to Program Mode here. It helps you see the path to follow as you try Program Mode.
And if you’d like to read about photo number #2787, the one I missed in Shanghai, click here. It does have a happy ending! 😃
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