Portrait Photography: Camera Settings for Professional Results

If portraiture is something you’re interested in starting, don’t worry about all those details just yet. Let’s first tackle the basics: camera settings. Mastering these will help you build confidence as you ease into portrait photography. After all, you can’t build a house without a solid foundation, and the same goes for great portraiture skills. So, let’s get started and learn the best camera settings to kick off your portrait shoots!

The Exposure Triangle

Let’s dive into one of the basic fundamentals of understanding your camera: the exposure triangle. It comprises three key elements:

• Aperture

• Shutter Speed

• ISO

If you truly want to elevate your portrait photography, getting comfortable with manual mode and mastering these settings is essential. Let’s take a closer look at what each setting does for your photos.

Aperture

This controls the amount of light coming through your lens and is measured by an ‘f-number.’

• Smaller numbers (e.g., f/1.4–f/2.8): This means your lens is wide open, letting in a great deal of light. It creates a shallow depth of field, making it perfect for isolating subjects, such as models, against beautifully blurred backgrounds. It’s at this range you want to be focusing on when taking portrait shots.

• Larger numbers (e.g., f/8–f/16): This means your lens is much narrower and lets in less light. This setting is ideal for capturing scenes with a deep depth of field, like landscapes, where you want everything in focus, from foreground to background.

Shutter Speed

This controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light when you press the shutter.

• Quick shutter speeds (e.g., 1/500–1/2000): Ideal for freezing motion, whether you’re working in bright conditions or shooting fast-moving subjects.

• Slower shutter speeds (e.g., 1/30–1/125): Allows more light into your camera, perfect for low-light conditions or when shooting stationary subjects. Be careful, though, slower speeds can introduce motion blur if your subject or camera moves.

ISO

ISO determines how sensitive your camera is to light. This should be the last setting you adjust. While increasing ISO can brighten your image, it also introduces noise, which reduces the quality of your photos. Use it sparingly to avoid grainy results.

Getting comfortable with the exposure triangle will significantly enhance your photography skills and deepen your understanding of light. Mastering these elements takes practice, but it becomes second nature the more you shoot. Don’t shy away from the learning curve, it’s worth the effort!

Essential Settings for Different Lighting Conditions

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all combination of settings that works for all lighting conditions and shooting styles. It all depends on the amount of light available in your environment. Whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, you’ll need to adapt your settings accordingly. Both options have their pros and cons, and your choice will largely depend on what you have access to.

Shooting indoors, such as in a studio, can be a significant advantage for photographers. You have a lot of control over your surroundings, especially if you’re using artificial lighting. But that’s not your only option, you can also utilise natural light through windows. However, access to indoor spaces isn’t always easy and may come with costs, not to mention the expense of artificial lighting equipment.

The outdoors offers endless accessibility and variety. With an ever-changing backdrop and dynamic weather, outdoor shoots can provide incredible opportunities. However, the unpredictability of the weather and the sun’s movement throughout the day can make outdoor portrait photography a bit of a gamble. Time constraints can also feel limiting as you chase the perfect light before the sun sets or disappears behind clouds.

Both environments are fantastic for portrait photography, each with its own set of challenges and benefits. If you don’t have access to a studio, don’t worry, outdoor shoots are just as professional and widely used by seasoned photographers.

Now, let’s look at some essential camera settings tailored to different environments.

Outdoor Settings

Let’s begin with outdoor photography, as it’s the most common starting point for beginners.

Bright, Sunny Days

Sunny conditions offer plenty of light, but managing it carefully is key to avoiding overexposed shots.

• Aperture: f/2.8 – f/4. If you want a shallow depth of field to separate your subject from the background, stick to this range. If the light becomes overwhelming, consider increasing the aperture to f/8.

• Shutter Speed: 1/250 or higher. A faster shutter speed will help balance your exposure with a wide aperture.

• ISO: 100. With ample light, you can keep ISO low and avoid noise altogether.

Cloudy Days

Clouds act like a natural softbox, creating flattering, even light. However, low-light conditions can pose a challenge.

• Aperture: f/2.0 – f/2.8. A wide aperture will let in more light and help your subject stand out against the background, especially on flat, cloudy days.

• Shutter Speed: 1/125 – 1/250. Strike a balance between proper exposure and sharpness.

• ISO: 200 – 400. Use this range to bring in more light without introducing too much noise.

You may also like: Cloudy Weather Portrait Photography: Tips & Settings for Pro Results

Golden Hour

Golden hour’s warm, flattering light is a favourite among photographers, but it’s also low light, so adjustments are crucial.

• Aperture: f/2.0 – f/2.8. Keep the aperture wide to maximise light intake.

• Shutter Speed: 1/125. Avoid slower speeds to minimise blur while still letting in light.

• ISO: 200 – 400. As golden hour progresses and light diminishes, you may need to increase ISO slightly.

Indoor Settings

Shooting indoors allows for greater control, especially when working with artificial lighting. If you’re using window light, follow the outdoor settings mentioned above, but be mindful of shadows on the side of your model that faces away from the window.

Indoor Portrait Settings

• Aperture: f/2.0 – f/4. This aperture range is perfect for portraits, and if you have control over artificial lighting in your room, you can adjust the intensity of those light sources to get the correct exposure. 

• Shutter Speed: 1/125 – 1/250. Adjust according to your subject’s movement. Stationary models allow for slower speeds to let in more light.

• ISO: Use as needed. If you have powerful lights, you can keep ISO low and maintain sharpness without noise.

Pro Tips

• Experiment and Review: Each environment will present unique challenges. After each shoot, review your images carefully and note which settings worked best in that specific scenario.

• Trial and Error: Don’t hesitate to experiment! Portrait photography is as much about creativity as it is about technical precision.

You may also like: Mastering Studio Lighting for Portrait Photography: Tips and Tricks

With these settings in mind, you’ll be well on your way to capturing beautifully lit portraits, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.

Focus Settings for Portraits: Get Sharper Shots

There are different focus options available depending on the type of portraits you wish to capture. Let’s take a look at some of the modes you can use:

• Eye Autofocus: If your camera has this functionality, it’s an excellent tool for ensuring your model’s face stays sharp and in focus. This mode automatically recognises and locks onto your subject’s eye, which is particularly helpful for close-up portraits.

• Single Point Focus: Many cameras allow you to select the focus point manually using a touchscreen or a control button. This mode is ideal for stationary subjects, especially if the camera is struggling to lock onto your model’s face.

• Continuous Focus (AF-C): For moving subjects, continuous focus is your best bet. This mode tracks your model as they move through the scene, keeping them in focus. It’s perfect for capturing dynamic, action-oriented shots.

With these focus settings, you’ll be equipped to handle a variety of portrait styles, ensuring sharp and professional results.

White Balance Settings

White balance, often referred to as “temperature,” controls how cool or warm your images appear. It’s best not to leave this setting on auto, as varying light conditions, especially if they change during your shoot, can cause inconsistent results in your photos.

• Use daylight mode for outdoor shots. Most cameras also offer specific settings for cloudy or sunny conditions to match the natural light accurately.

• White balance indoors will depend on the kelvin settings of your lights. If you’re working with lights that emit warmer or cooler tones, adjust your white balance to match for consistent results.

Post-Processing Tip: If your white balance varies throughout the shoot, you can correct it easily in post-processing by adjusting the temperature slider. While this is a straightforward fix, it’s always advisable to get your white balance right in-camera to save time and ensure consistency across your images.

Find out more: The Ultimate Guide to Editing Portraits | Steve Roe 

The Bottom Line

Mastering the settings on your camera is the foundation for capturing fantastic portraits. Once you’re comfortable with these settings and understand the exposure triangle, you’ll have the confidence to explore other aspects of portrait photography. Knowing how to operate your camera effectively will give you the tools to consistently achieve great results. So, congratulations on taking this important step, and enjoy the process of learning and growing as a photographer!