Ever wonder how amateurs with their new fangled high end toys like the Nikon D40’s or Canon EOS Mark II’s get awesome photos? How can an amateur who doesn’t understand apertures, lenses, framing and shutter speed take show stopping photos like a professional photographer?

Let me tell you a big secret of professional photographers. Come closer… come on closer… not that close… it’s called the automatic mode of SLR digital cameras.

Almost every digital camera has an automatic mode. Professional photographers use this feature often.

If you own a digital camera where do you find your auto mode? On most digital cameras, look for a green box or green camera on your menu or dial.

The auto mode is your short cut to fantastic photos. The next time you see a media photographer or somebody with a very expensive looking SLR, don’t be intimidated. If they can use automatic mode to take great photos, so can you.