1. A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus comprising a front display unit on a front surface thereof in proximity to a lens inputting an optical signal, the method comprising: setting a self photographing mode; generating countdown information for self photographing; determining a subject distance, and comparing the subject distance to a reference distance; when the subject distance is shorter than the reference distance, displaying on the front display unit the countdown information in a first format in conjunction with a captured image based on the optical signal; and when the subject distance is longer than the reference distance, displaying the countdown information alone in a second format.