Camera settings can be a distraction. Many people fixate on the perfect aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, thinking they hold the key to great images. They don’t. What truly matters is understanding your subject and how you want to capture it. No universal setting will guarantee a compelling photo.
Coming to you from Andrew Banner, this refreshingly blunt video challenges the obsession with so-called best settings. Banner walks through an industrial riverside area, reflecting on the way he sees the shapes, textures, and tones around him. Instead of rattling off camera settings, he emphasizes intuition. He feels the scene in black and white, not because a rulebook says so, but because that’s what resonates in the moment. He reminds you that settings don’t make an image—the way you compose and interpret a scene does. This kind of approach forces you to stop relying on formulas and start thinking about what works for the specific moment.
The video also dismantles the idea that knowing someone else’s settings will help you recreate their shot. Banner argues that if you’re searching for the “right” settings, you’re likely missing the bigger picture. Light, subject, and intent shift constantly. What worked in one moment won’t work in another. His point is clear: learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact, but don’t expect them to hand you a shortcut to good photography.
Banner takes this idea further by experimenting in the field. He plays with exposure, adjusts his approach based on changing conditions, and even considers blending multiple exposures. His process is fluid. He doesn’t lock himself into one technical method. He’s reacting, adapting, and making decisions based on what he sees—not what a settings guide might recommend. This mindset is crucial for anyone who wants to improve their craft beyond the basics. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Banner.
