This photo shows the camera mode dial on a Canon Powershot. I'll admit, I use mode #2 on occasion.

The operation modes of the camera are usually on a dial that is turned to set the mode desired.
On this camera, 1) program mode - allows setting various functions; 2) Auto mode - Camera sets itself for most pictures automatically; 3) Easy Mode - the "don't have to think about anything mode"; 4) Portraits mode; 5) Landscape mode; 6)Night-time mode; 7) Kids and Pets mode; 8) Special modes for specific scenes; 9) Movie mode

Your camera may have slightly different modes or icons representing them. Try them and compare results.

In this high contrast photo, the sky is slightly washed out, the foreground is lost in shadow. The whole photo seems dull.

By using a "recover" tool, more tone is brought back into the clouds and sky. The "fill" tool brings more tonal definition back to the foreground.

A potential problem in any style photography is proper exposure of all parts of a photo. This can be common in any scene that has high contrast between light and dark areas.
If you see this problem when reviewing a photo, try decreasing exposure compensation to help correct for the bright areas or increasing exposure compensation to help correct for the dark areas.

Some graphics programs for working with photo files make available a fill function tool that "stretches out" the number values for the darker areas and a recover function tool that "stretches out" the number values of brighter areas.

Above: Looking through the lens set for f 22.
Below: Looking through the lens set for f 4.

The higher the f-stop number, the smaller the aperture opening.

Smaller aperture (higher f-stop) requires slower shutter speed to allow sufficient light to strike the sensor plate for good exposure.

Higher ISO settings can allow quicker shutter speed, but at the cost of more noise (we used to call it grain) in the picture.

The smaller aperture will also give a greater depth of field (part of the subject for the next article)