How I Set Up My Camera For Best Results (and how YOU can too!)
Want to know the secrets behind my camera settings? I'm sharing my complete setup, plus tips for beginners! Stick around to the end for a simplified setup if you're not shooting in manual yet. And don't forget to grab my FREE manual settings cheat sheet to master aperture, shutter speed, and ISO!
Let's break down my setup, step by step:
My Advanced Setup (Manual Mode Mastery!)
Shooting Mode: M (Manual). I primarily shoot in manual for maximum control. Occasionally, I'll use Aperture Priority (Av or A) if needed.
Key Settings: Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are all adjusted manually based on the specific shooting situation. (Check out my FREE cheat sheet for examples and explanations!)
Custom Controls: I've customized a button for back-button focusing, which I highly recommend.
Picture Style: Neutral. If you shoot in RAW, this only affects JPEGs.
White Balance: Custom or Kelvin. I use a gray card or Expodisc for custom white balance, or Kelvin when I don't have those tools.
File Format: RAW. Shooting in RAW gives you much more flexibility in post-processing, allowing you to recover highlights, shadows, and correct white balance.
Autofocus Mode: AF-C on Nikon (which is AI Servo on a Canon). I choose the appropriate mode based on whether my subject is moving or stationary.
Metering: Spot Metering. This gives me precise control over exposure.
Burst Mode: Low-speed continuous. Great for action shots, but be mindful of battery usage and write speed.
Beginner Camera Setup (A Stepping Stone to Manual)
If you're new to photography, starting with a fully manual setup can be overwhelming. Here's a beginner-friendly approach:
Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority (Av or A). This lets you choose the aperture while the camera selects the shutter speed and ISO (which you should set to Auto initially). Here is a FREE guide to aperture priority mode!
Exposure Compensation: Use this to fine-tune the exposure if your images are too dark or too bright. Increase for brighter images, decrease for darker ones.
Picture Settings: Neutral (for JPEGs). If you're editing photos, switch to RAW as soon as possible.
White Balance: Auto. As you gain confidence, explore the presets or learn custom white balance.
Metering: Evaluative/Matrix Metering. This is a good starting point before moving to spot metering.
Focus Mode: AI Focus (Dynamic Area on Nikon). This automatic mode will select the appropriate focus mode for your scene.
A Path to Manual Mode
Starting with Aperture Priority is a great way to learn the relationship between aperture and depth of field. Gradually, you can take control of ISO, then shutter speed, ultimately progressing to full manual mode. Don't be afraid to experiment and practice! My free cheat sheet is a great resource to help you along the way.
Thanks for reading, and happy shooting!
