Portraits

Portrait Photography

Settings for capturing people — from outdoor portraits to studio headshots

Outdoor Portrait

Most Common
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/1.8 – f/2.8
ISO 100 – 400
Focus Single + Eye AF
Metering Center or Spot
WB Shade (+warm) or Auto

Pro Tips

  • Shoot during golden hour for flattering warm light
  • Position subject with sun behind them for soft backlighting
  • Use a reflector to fill shadows on face
  • Focus on the eye closest to camera

Indoor Portrait

Natural Light
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/1.4 – f/2.8
ISO 400 – 1600
Focus Single + Eye AF
WB Custom Kelvin or AWB
Metering Matrix or Center

Pro Tips

  • Position subject near a large window
  • Sheer curtains create soft, diffused light
  • Turn off overhead lights to avoid mixed color temps
  • Use a white wall or reflector as fill

Studio Portrait

With Flash
Mode Manual
Aperture f/5.6 – f/8
Shutter 1/125 – 1/200
ISO 100 (base)
Focus Single + Eye AF
WB Flash (5500K)

Pro Tips

  • Shutter speed at or below flash sync speed
  • Aperture controls flash exposure; shutter controls ambient
  • Use a softbox or umbrella for flattering light
  • Start with key light 45° from subject

Group Portrait

2+ People
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/5.6 – f/8
ISO 200 – 800
Focus Single + Wide Area
Metering Matrix
Drive Continuous (for blinks)

Pro Tips

  • Narrower aperture keeps everyone in focus
  • Keep group on same focal plane if possible
  • Take multiple shots — someone always blinks
  • Tall people in back, shorter in front
Landscape

Landscape & Nature

From golden hour vistas to dramatic long exposures

Landscape

General
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 (base)
Focus Single, 1/3 into scene
Metering Matrix / Evaluative
Extra Tripod, remote trigger

Pro Tips

  • f/8–f/11 is the sweet spot for most lenses
  • Focus 1/3 into scene for maximum sharpness
  • Use a polarizer to cut reflections and boost colors
  • Bracket exposures for HDR in high contrast scenes

Golden Hour

Sunrise / Sunset
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/8 – f/16
ISO 100 – 400
Focus Manual or Single
WB Daylight (preserve warmth)
Metering Matrix, -1 to -2 EV

Pro Tips

  • Underexpose slightly to preserve highlights in sky
  • f/16 creates sunstars; f/8 for cleaner look
  • Arrive 30 min before golden hour to scout
  • GND filter helps balance sky/foreground exposure

Blue Hour

Twilight
Mode Manual
Aperture f/8 – f/11
Shutter 2 – 30 seconds
ISO 100 – 400
Focus Manual (Live View)
Extra Tripod essential

Pro Tips

  • Blue hour is ~20-40 min after sunset
  • City lights balance with sky light perfectly
  • Long exposures smooth water and clouds
  • Use 2-second timer or remote to avoid shake

Long Exposure

Silky Water
Mode Manual or Shutter Priority
Aperture f/11 – f/16
Shutter 1 – 30+ seconds
ISO 100 (lowest)
Extra ND filter (6-10 stops)
Stabilization Tripod + remote

Pro Tips

  • ND filter blocks light, allowing long exposures in daylight
  • 1-2 sec for slight blur; 30+ sec for silky smooth
  • Cover viewfinder to prevent light leaks on DSLRs
  • Use Long Exposure NR if your camera has it

Architecture

Buildings
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 – 400
Focus Single, on building
Lens Wide angle (14-35mm)
Extra Level horizon

Pro Tips

  • Use a tilt-shift lens to correct perspective
  • Shoot at dawn or dusk for interior lights
  • Enable grid overlay to keep lines straight
  • Correct perspective distortion in post

Waterfalls

Silky Flow
Mode Manual or Shutter Priority
Aperture f/11 – f/16
Shutter 0.5 – 5 seconds
ISO 100 (lowest)
Extra ND filter (3-6 stops)
Stabilization Tripod essential

Pro Tips

  • 0.5-1s for texture; 2-5s for silky smooth
  • Overcast days = natural diffused light
  • Polarizer cuts glare on wet rocks
  • Watch for spray on your lens
Action

Action & Sports

Freeze the action or create intentional motion blur

Sports / Action

Freeze Motion
Mode Shutter Priority
Shutter 1/500 – 1/2000
ISO Auto (cap 6400)
Focus Continuous + Zone
Drive Continuous High
Metering Matrix

Pro Tips

  • Pre-focus on where action will happen
  • Use back-button focus for continuous tracking
  • 1/1000+ for fast sports (basketball, soccer)
  • Shoot in bursts and pick the best moment

Birds in Flight

Wildlife
Mode Shutter Priority
Shutter 1/1600 – 1/3200
ISO Auto (cap 6400)
Focus Continuous + Animal Eye AF
Drive Continuous High
Lens 100-400mm or longer

Pro Tips

  • Use animal/bird eye detection if available
  • Track smoothly, don't chase the bird
  • Shoot against clean backgrounds (sky)
  • Morning light gives warm, directional light

Panning

Motion Blur Background
Mode Shutter Priority
Shutter 1/30 – 1/125
ISO 100 – 400
Focus Continuous + Zone
Stabilization Mode 2 (horizontal only)
Drive Continuous

Pro Tips

  • Match your pan speed to subject's speed
  • Rotate from hips, keep arms steady
  • Slower shutter = more dramatic blur
  • Many attempts needed — expect ~10% keepers

Street Photography

Candid
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/5.6 – f/8
ISO Auto (400–3200)
Focus Zone or Pre-focus
Metering Matrix
Lens 35mm or 50mm

Pro Tips

  • Zone focus: set distance and aperture, shoot without focusing
  • Smaller aperture = larger depth of field = more forgiveness
  • Shoot from the hip for candid moments
  • Anticipate moments, don't chase them
Low Light

Low Light & Night

When the sun goes down, the real magic happens

Night / Low Light

Handheld
Mode Manual
Aperture Wide open (f/1.4–2.8)
Shutter 1/60 or faster (handheld)
ISO 1600 – 6400
Focus Manual or Single (careful)
Extra Stabilization ON

Pro Tips

  • Fast prime lenses are ideal (f/1.4–1.8)
  • Accept higher ISO — noisy shot beats blurry shot
  • Brace against walls, poles, or ground for stability
  • Exhale and shoot between heartbeats

Aurora / Northern Lights

Astrophotography
Mode Manual
Aperture f/1.4 – f/2.8
Shutter 5 – 25 seconds
ISO 1600 – 6400
Focus Manual at ∞
Extra Tripod essential

Pro Tips

  • Faster shutter (5-8s) captures aurora movement better
  • Focus manually on a bright star using Live View zoom
  • Include foreground interest (trees, mountains)
  • Check Kp index forecast — Kp 5+ for best shows

Milky Way

Astrophotography
Mode Manual
Aperture f/1.4 – f/2.8
Shutter 500 Rule (e.g., 20s for 24mm)
ISO 3200 – 6400
Focus Manual at ∞
Lens Wide angle (14-24mm)

Pro Tips

  • 500 Rule: Max shutter = 500 ÷ focal length
  • Shoot during new moon, away from light pollution
  • Use an app to find Milky Way position
  • Stack multiple exposures for cleaner results

Concerts / Live Music

Stage Lighting
Mode Manual or Aperture Priority
Aperture f/1.4 – f/2.8
Shutter 1/200 – 1/500
ISO 1600 – 6400
Focus Continuous + Eye AF
Metering Spot (on performer)

Pro Tips

  • Spot meter on the performer's face
  • Underexpose slightly to protect stage light highlights
  • Watch for dramatic lighting moments
  • Shoot during quiet moments — less motion blur

Fireworks

Light Trails
Mode Manual
Aperture f/8 – f/16
Shutter Bulb (2 – 10 seconds)
ISO 100 – 200
Focus Manual (pre-focus on sky)
Extra Tripod + remote

Pro Tips

  • Pre-focus on infinity or where bursts will be
  • Open shutter just before burst, close after
  • Use black card technique to capture multiple bursts
  • Frame loosely — fireworks are unpredictable

Star Trails

Circular Motion
Mode Manual (Bulb)
Aperture f/2.8 – f/4
Shutter 30 min – 4 hours (or stacked)
ISO 400 – 800
Focus Manual at ∞
Extra Intervalometer, Polaris for circles

Pro Tips

  • Point at Polaris (North Star) for circular trails
  • Stack 30-second exposures to reduce noise
  • Use StarStaX or similar for stacking
  • Include interesting foreground silhouette
Specialty

Specialty Scenarios

Specific situations that require unique approaches

Product / Still Life

Commercial
Mode Manual or Aperture
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 (lowest)
Focus Single, manual fine-tune
WB Custom / Kelvin
Extra Tripod + remote

Pro Tips

  • Use a lightbox or diffused window light
  • Tether to computer for instant review
  • Shoot extra DOF for focus stacking if needed
  • Gray card for accurate white balance

Food Photography

Culinary
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/2.8 – f/5.6
ISO 100 – 800
Focus Single, on hero element
WB Daylight or Custom
Lens 50mm or 85mm

Pro Tips

  • Side or backlight creates appetizing texture
  • Use bounce cards to fill shadows
  • Focus on the "hero" — main dish element
  • Shoot quickly — food doesn't stay fresh looking

Real Estate / Interiors

Property
Mode Manual or Aperture
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 – 400
Lens Ultra-wide (14-24mm)
Focus Manual or Single
Extra Tripod + bracket

Pro Tips

  • Bracket exposures for windows and interiors
  • Keep camera level — correct verticals
  • Shoot from corners to show room depth
  • Turn on all lights, open all blinds

Macro / Close-Up

Detail Shots
Mode Manual or Aperture
Aperture f/8 – f/16
ISO 100 – 800
Focus Manual (critical)
Stabilization Tripod + mirror lockup
Extra Focus stacking for DOF

Pro Tips

  • DOF is paper-thin at macro distances
  • Move camera, not focus ring, for fine adjustments
  • Focus stacking combines multiple shots for deep DOF
  • Use a macro rail for precise positioning

Event / Wedding

Mixed Lighting
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/2.8 – f/4
ISO Auto (800–6400)
Focus Continuous + Face/Eye
Metering Matrix + Exp. Comp
WB Auto or Flash

Pro Tips

  • Bounce flash off ceiling for natural look
  • Second body with different lens ready
  • Scout venue lighting beforehand
  • +1 to +2 EV for white dresses

Snow / Winter

Bright Scenes
Mode Aperture Priority
Aperture f/8 – f/11
ISO 100 – 400
Exp. Comp +1 to +2 EV
WB Shade (warmer) or Custom
Extra Spare batteries (cold drains fast)

Pro Tips

  • Camera will underexpose snow — add +1 to +2 EV
  • Keep camera cold; warm up slowly to avoid condensation
  • Spare batteries in warm pocket
  • Shade WB prevents blue-gray snow

One-Line Quick Reference

Can't find your scenario? Use these rules of thumb

Shallow DOF? Open aperture (f/1.4–2.8)
Deep DOF? Close aperture (f/8–16)
Freeze motion? Fast shutter (1/500+)
Blur motion? Slow shutter (1/30 or slower)
Low noise? Low ISO (100–400)
Low light? Open aperture + raise ISO
Subject moving? Continuous AF
Subject still? Single AF
Image too dark? + exposure compensation
Image too bright? − exposure compensation
Orange indoors? WB to Tungsten (~3200K)
Blue in shade? WB to Shade (~7000K)