Understanding how to control your camera settings can make a big difference in portrait photography. The right combination of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture helps you capture well-exposed, sharp images.
Coming to you from Martin Castein, this informative video dives into some essential settings for both studio and outdoor portraits, but not before addressing a crucial aspect: lighting. Castein explains that many people believe the subject must be the brightest element in the frame. This isn’t always true. Instead, you should focus on how well the subject is lit, regardless of how bright they are compared to the rest of the image. He demonstrates this with a portrait where the subject isn’t the brightest, but she’s lit effectively using a mix of natural and street light. It’s about controlling the quality of light, not just cranking up brightness.
Castein also touches on a common misconception about aperture settings. Some believe creativity starts only when using wide apertures like f/1.4. But he argues that creativity doesn’t hinge on opening up your lens. Narrower apertures, like f/4 or f/8, can offer more depth, especially when you want to incorporate some of the background into the story. By experimenting with different apertures, you can find what suits your style best. Sometimes, a slightly wider depth of field will bring just the right amount of background detail without overpowering the subject.
Another significant point is how to manage shutter speed. Many overlook the need to set a faster shutter speed, especially outdoors. Castein suggests aiming for at least 1/400th of a second to freeze movement and prevent motion blur, even if it means bumping up your ISO. When shooting indoors or in low light, you can reduce the shutter speed, but you must communicate with your subject to move slowly. Properly managing shutter speed ensures your images stay sharp, even when there’s action.
In the studio, controlling external light sources becomes vital. Castein advises setting your camera to block out any unintended ambient light. Start by taking a test shot without any flash or artificial light to see if the image is completely black. This confirms that no stray lighting will interfere. Then, you can introduce your studio lights, ensuring complete control over the final image. If you notice unwanted lighting, like a green color cast or inconsistencies, it’s often because ambient light is slipping in. Fix this by turning off unnecessary lights or adjusting your settings to cut down on unwanted exposure. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Castein.
If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.
