Intelligent automatic: Opportunities and risks when photographing

If you want to take your photography to the next level, the mode of intelligente Automatik on your camera can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, this mode makes it easier to enter the world of photography by making many decisions for you. On the other hand, the lack of control can quickly prove to be disadvantageous. In this text, you will receive a comprehensive guide to intelligent automation so that you are informed about the advantages and disadvantages and can make optimal use of it.

Main insights

The intelligent automation mode allows photographers to focus on the subject while the camera adjusts the settings. The image is automatically exposed, which is very convenient for beginners. However, this mode also carries risks as you do not have full control over the settings. Especially in situations where precise exposure is required, this mode may fail. So you should know how and when to effectively use this mode.

Step-by-step guide to using intelligent automation

First, it is important to know that the intelligent automation may have different names depending on the camera. With Canon, you can find it under the green icon on your camera's mode dial. With Nikon, it may be similarly designed.

This feature gives you the freedom to operate the camera relatively easily. The mode measures the light and makes independent decisions about the necessary settings. This means that you only need to decide in which format (photo or time-lapse) you want to photograph – that’s it.

You can hold the camera in any direction and rely on the image being as well exposed as possible. Under optimal lighting conditions, this gives you the chance to take spontaneous photos. The camera tries to get the best out of the situation.

But be warned: This does not always work perfectly. In situations where there is a lot of light or strong contrasts in the image, the camera may not make the right decisions. You might find that the image is too dark or inadequately exposed.

Furthermore, you have little influence on the autofocus in intelligent automation mode. What happens if your main subject is not centered in the frame? In such cases, the image can become blurry as the camera may focus on the background. It is essential to consciously control the focus to ensure that your subject is sharply represented.

Another example: If you choose a different position or slightly rotate the camera, it may happen that the main subject is not correctly focused. So pay close attention to where the autofocus is currently "aiming".

While this function has the advantage that you do not have to adjust much, that can also be your biggest disadvantage. Why would someone invest in an expensive DSLR camera if they leave all decisions to the camera? However, if you are starting out, it would be advantageous to try this mode.

If you want to learn more about photography over time, it is advisable to adjust the camera settings yourself and to use the intelligent automation modes less frequently.

Summary – Learning to photograph: Understanding intelligent automation in detail

In intelligent automation mode, you can take photos with your camera without much difficulty. This greatly eases the process for beginners, as many technical aspects are simply handled by the camera. However, you should be aware that this also means limitations. You are restricted in your control over the settings, and the camera may not make the best decisions in challenging situations. Use the automatic function consciously and gradually begin to explore the manual options of your camera.