Sony A 230 Manual

							Shooting images
51
Shooting with a suitable setting for the 
subject (Scene Selection)
Selecting an appropriate mode for the subject or the shooting conditions 
allows you to shoot the image with a suitable setting for the subject.
When you turn the mode dial, the explanation of the selected mode and 
methods of shooting are displayed on the screen (Help Guide disp.). You 
can clear the Help Guide (page 114).
Note The camera makes appropriate judgments on the situation to adjust the settings. 
Since the camera turns on the automatic setting function, many features will be 
unavailable, such as exposure compensation, ISO setting. 
						

							52
Set the mode dial to   (Portrait).
 To blur the background more, set the lens to the telephoto position.
 You can shoot a vivid image by focusing on the eye that is closer to the 
lens. 
 Use the lens hood (sold separately) to shoot backlit subjects.
 Use the red-eye reduction function if the eyes of your subject turn red 
from the flash (page 77).
 Set the flash mode to   (Flash Off) when you shoot without the flash 
(page 75). 
 Taking portrait photos
This mode is suitable for
zBlurring away backgrounds and 
sharpening the subject.
zExpressing skin tones softly.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Shooting images
53
Set the mode dial to   (Landscape).
 To accentuate the openness of the scenery, set the lens to wide angle.
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash 
(page 75).
 Taking landscape photos
This mode is suitable for
zShooting the entire range of scenery 
in sharp focus with vivid colors.
Shooting techniques 
						

							54
Set the mode dial to   (Macro).
 Get close to the subject and shoot at the minimum distance of the lens.
 You can shoot a closer subject using a macro lens (sold separately).
 Set the flash mode to   (Flash Off) when you shoot a subject within 1 m 
(3.3 feet).
 When shooting in macro mode, the SteadyShot function will not be fully 
effective. Use a tripod to achieve better results.
 Set the flash mode to   (Flash Off) when you shoot without the flash 
(page 75). 
 Taking small-subject photos
This mode is suitable for
zShooting close subjects such as 
flowers, insects, dishes, or small 
goods.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Shooting images
55
Set the mode dial to   (Sports Action).
 The camera shoots images continuously while the shutter button is 
pressed.
 Press and hold the shutter button halfway down until the right moment.
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash 
(page 75).
 Taking moving-subject photos
This mode is suitable for
zShooting moving subjects outdoors 
or in bright places.
Shooting techniques 
						

							56
Set the mode dial to   (Sunset).
 Used to shoot an image accentuating the red color compared with other 
modes. This is also suitable for shooting the beautiful red of the sunrise.
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash 
(page 75).
 Taking sunset photos
This mode is suitable for
zShooting the red of the sunset 
beautifully.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Shooting images
57
Set the mode dial to   (Night Port./View).
Set the flash mode to   (Flash Off) when you shoot a night view without 
persons (page 75).
 Take care that the subject does not move to prevent the image from 
blurring.
 The shutter speed is slower, so using a tripod is recommended.
Note The picture may not be taken properly when shooting a wholly dark night scene.
 Taking night view photos
This mode is suitable for
zShooting night scenes at a distance 
without losing the dark atmosphere 
of the surroundings.
Shooting techniques 
						

							58
Shooting an image the way you want it 
(Exposure mode)
With a single lens reflex camera, you can adjust the shutter speed (how 
long the shutter is open) and aperture (the range that is in focus: depth of 
field) to enjoy a variety of photographic expressions.
For example, you can use a fast shutter speed to shoot the ephemeral shape 
of a wave, or you can accentuate a flower by opening the aperture to put 
everything in front of and beyond the flower out of focus. These are a few 
of the effects you can enjoy with your camera (pages 61, 63).
Adjusting the shutter speed and aperture not only creates the photographic 
effects of movement and focus, but also determines the brightness of the 
image by controlling the amount of exposure (the amount of light the 
camera takes in), which is the most important factor in photo shooting.
Changing the brightness of the picture by the amount of exposure
When using a faster shutter speed, the camera opens the shutter for a 
shorter time. This means less time for the camera to take in light, resulting 
in a darker picture. To take a brighter picture, you can open the aperture 
(the hole through which the light passes) to some extent in order to adjust 
the amount of light the camera takes in at one time. 
The brightness of the picture adjusted by the shutter speed and aperture is 
called “exposure.”
This section will show you how to adjust the exposure and enjoy various 
photo expressions by the use of movement, focus, and light. You can find 
out the right way to shoot the image and the subject you like.
Amount of 
exposurelow high 
						

							Shooting images
59
When you turn the mode dial, the explanation of the selected mode and 
methods of shooting are displayed on the screen (Help Guide disp.). You 
can clear the Help Guide (page 114). 
						

							60
 Shooting with program auto
This mode is suitable for
zUsing the automatic exposure, while 
keeping the custom settings for ISO 
sensitivity, Creative Style, D-Range 
optimizer, etc.
1Set the mode dial to P.
2Set the shooting functions to your desired settings (pages 69 to 
93).
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash 
(page 75).
3Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.