Preparing your DSLR for portraits

Whatever flavour of portrait you prefer, here’s a simple setup to rely on

Portrait photography means different things to different people. But whether you’re partial to classic studio shots, informal family portraits or candid shots of people on the streets, there’s a standard way to set up your camera for a better chance of catching the moment.

First, set the camera to Aperture Priority or Manual as this gives you direct control over the aperture, and consequently the depth of field. Depth of field is an important consideration for portraits, as it determines how much of the background appears to be sharply focused. You’d typically want a shallow depth of field so that the backdrop ‘melts away’ and all attention is on the face.

When it comes to focusing, avoiding SESN (Soft Eyes, Sharp Nose) is key! If you leave it to the camera to focus, it might lock onto the nearest point on the face: the tip of the nose. The closer you are to a person, the greater the risk of this happening. The best option is to manually select an AF point that lines up with one of the eyes. Aim at the eye closest to you if the person is at an angle.

In terms of exposure, Evaluative metering can provide a good starting point. It biases the exposure towards the area in focus, so you might need to be make the shot brighter or darker, depending on the person’s skin tone. Take a test shot and check the histogram, then use exposure compensation (in Aperture Priority) or adjust the shutter speed and/or ISO in Manual.

Finally, use the high-speed continuous drive mode and fire in short bursts, to catch subtle changes in expression.