1. A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus comprising a back display unit on a back surface thereof and 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 along with a captured image based on the optical signal, wherein the first format comprises a letter or a number having a first size; and when the subject distance is longer than the reference distance, displaying on the front display unit the countdown information alone in a second format, wherein the second format comprises a letter or a number having a second size that is larger than the first size.