Many digital cameras provide the facility to take pictures in Program or Auto, a choice normally available from the mode dial, and whilst both deliver an accurately exposed image, there are important differences.

Auto is the factory default setting where the camera will use preset controls such as White Balance and ISO Sensitivity which cannot always be altered. At this setting a glance at the camera menu will reveal that some choices are now blanked out leaving the photographer without the facility to tweak the controls for further creativity.

Program makes these choices available. They are options, but using Program is essential if the photographer wishes to follow the advice offered elsewhere in this Tuition, particularly Exposure Compensation and ISO Sensitivity.

More recent advanced cameras have a facility called Program + Shift. Whilst exposure in this mode remains automatic the photographer is able, via a control, to set the aperture or shutter-speed whilst in Program without the need to switch to Aperture or Shutter Priority.