Getting the right camera settings can be a challenge, especially if you think there’s always a perfect setting for every situation. But if you’re stuck chasing that ideal combination, it might hold you back from truly understanding how your camera works and how to adapt in the moment.
Coming to you from Luke Cleland, this refreshing video breaks down why searching for the “perfect” settings isn’t the key to better photos. Instead, Cleland explains that camera settings work more like ingredients in a recipe. Just like there are multiple ways to cook a meal, there are many combinations of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed that can lead to great results. Cleland encourages you to embrace this flexibility, rather than feeling boxed in by what you think the settings “should” be. This approach allows you to focus on creativity rather than obsessing over technical perfection.
Another significant takeaway is Cleland’s stance on ISO, a setting many are told to keep as low as possible. In the video, he challenges this advice, sharing examples of his own work where higher ISOs made sense. Particularly in fast-paced environments like weddings, where lighting conditions are constantly changing, using a higher ISO can be essential. Cleland gives you real-life scenarios where flexibility with your settings helped him capture the moment, even when the ISO was much higher than what conventional wisdom might suggest.
One of the best pieces of advice Cleland offers is the value of shooting in full manual mode. If you stick to auto modes, you might never get a true sense of how ISO, aperture, and shutter speed interact with each other. Cleland suggests that by practicing in manual, especially when you're not under pressure, you’ll develop a better understanding of how to balance these settings in different conditions. This kind of practice helps build the confidence needed to adapt quickly when situations change.
Cleland also walks through some specific examples from his work, illustrating how unconventional settings can still produce excellent results. Whether it’s a portrait with a higher ISO or a reception shot with a slow shutter speed, the key takeaway is that what matters most is the final image, not whether the settings followed a rigid set of rules. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Cleland.
People ask about the best settings. I would say, if there were a best setting then there wouldn't be settings.
If shooting in manual, I recommend setting your ISO at auto. It's much less complicated and in most cases, works just fine.