Is there a typical order for choosing camera settings before taking a photo?
Asked 4/18/2011
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2 answers
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When preparing to shoot with a DSLR, is there a standard sequence for setting things like ISO, white balance, aperture, shutter speed, composition, and autofocus? Or does the order depend on the subject and the kind of image you want to make? I'm not asking about artistic style so much as the practical workflow: if you start with a camera and need to set everything up, what usually comes first, what depends on what, and does this change from shot to shot?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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I never really thought about it, and I don't really think there's a right sequence, but I guess my typical sequence is:
- White balance: I shoot raw, and almost always leave the camera in Auto White Balance, because it's usually an OK starting point, and precise adjustment will be done in raw development.
- Shooting mode: Most often Aperture Priority (Av)
- "Independent variable": That is, for Aperture Priority, I set the aperture that I want to shoot
- First guess at ISO: Based on my perception of the light
- Check "dependent variable": Point the camera at a "typical" or "approximate" version of the shot's composition and see if the camera-selected exposure variable (shutter speed in Av mode) is acceptable. Adjust ISO if not.
- Exposure compensation: Adjust +/- exposure compensation based on subject matter (e.g. + compensation for snow scenes) and/or a test shot
- Focus, compose, and fire: I would not typically want to be worrying about exposure any more when making the final composition.
Originally by user2138. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2138
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There isn’t one universal “correct” order. The usual workflow depends on what matters most for the photo you want.
A common approach is:
- Decide on the image first: composition, viewpoint, and subject emphasis.
- Choose the setting that matters most creatively:
- aperture for depth of field/background blur
- shutter speed for motion/action
- Set exposure mode accordingly (often Aperture Priority if aperture is the priority).
- Set ISO based on available light and the shutter speed/aperture you need.
- Check the camera’s resulting exposure and adjust ISO or exposure compensation if needed.
- White balance is often left on Auto, especially if shooting RAW, since it can be refined later.
- Choose focus point/focus settings, then shoot.
So your list isn’t wrong, but it’s not fixed. In some scenes aperture comes first; in sports, shutter speed may come first; composition and position often come before either. Think less in terms of a rigid sequence and more in terms of: decide the look you want, set the most important variable first, then adjust the others to support it.
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