Aperture priority is a mode which makes the process of learning photography easier for beginners. However it still enables you to learn everything you need to know should you want to shoot in full manual in the future.
Going back a step, when you decide you want to move away from using full auto, you have four main options to choose from. These are shown on the top mode dial as P, A, S and M - or P, Av, Tv and M if you're using Canon or Pentax. This is what they mean:
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M (Manual) - you make all the decisions about aperture, shutter speed and ISO
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P (Program) - the camera's light meter chooses the aperture and the shutter speed, but you have control over everything else (ISO, focus mode, flash and so on)
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A or Av (Aperture Priority) - you choose the aperture based on the type of shot you are taking, and the camera's light meter sets the shutter speed to ensure the shot is correctly exposed
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S or Tv (Shutter Priority) - you choose the shutter speed based on the type of shot you are taking, and the camera's light meter sets the aperture to ensure the shot is correctly exposed
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You can ignore all of the other symbols on this dial now!
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Using Aperture Priority (in preference to full Manual) makes the process of learning photography much easier, as you will end up with a far greater number of shots that you are happy with, especially in the early days - and this will help to keep you more engaged in the process.
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Why aperture priority rather than shutter priority?
I always recommend using aperture priority rather than shutter priority. This is because, for every shot you take, you need to make a conscious decision about the aperture you want, so you have the correct depth of field for the image. But, unless something in your image is moving (which in the majority of cases it isn't) then the shutter speed doesn't make a difference to the artistic outcome - as long as it's fast enough to hand hold.
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Adding 'exposure compensation'
The other thing to bear in mind with this approach is that you can override the exposure setting that the camera’s light meter chooses, if you think the shot is too dark or too light. This is done using something called exposure compensation, which is also covered in the Initial Set-up section of the app. So in effect, aperture priority + exposure compensation basically gives you all of the same control as full manual.
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Many professional photographers use aperture priority on a day to day basis, including professionals. You will however come across some people who tell you that you 'must learn in full manual', and while they are entitled to their opinion of course, don't ever think that using aperture priority is a bad thing.
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Return to the PTiYP app to continue.
For information on my 1-2-1 tuition services - which are available in person, or online via Zoom - please visit my photography tuition page.
I can help with anything from off-auto level tuition and learning how operate your specific camera, through to advanced skills, image editing and portfolio reviews.