I know I have (or maybe I dreamed it) read a thread somewhere that talked about this but I did a search and didn't find it. I just got my new camera and was wondering what camera settings are your favorite for outdoor portraits. I took a few snapshots outside yesterday but couldn't seem to find anything that worked well. My exposure was off. Also, do you try to use the natural light when you can or do you typically use a flash?

venusj13:

I know I have (or maybe I dreamed it) read a thread somewhere that talked about this but I did a search and didn't find it. I just got my new camera and was wondering what camera settings are your favorite for outdoor portraits. I took a few snapshots outside yesterday but couldn't seem to find anything that worked well. My exposure was off. Also, do you try to use the natural light when you can or do you typically use a flash?

Which camera?  I have tremendous luck with evaluative metering and center spot focusing.  I will switch to center spot metering if I am shooting something small at a distance and don't care about the background.  But on the 30D, evaluative is remarkably good. 

Tom_Steele:

venusj13:

I know I have (or maybe I dreamed it) read a thread somewhere that talked about this but I did a search and didn't find it. I just got my new camera and was wondering what camera settings are your favorite for outdoor portraits. I took a few snapshots outside yesterday but couldn't seem to find anything that worked well. My exposure was off. Also, do you try to use the natural light when you can or do you typically use a flash?

Which camera?  I have tremendous luck with evaluative metering and center spot focusing.  I will switch to center spot metering if I am shooting something small at a distance and don't care about the background.  But on the 30D, evaluative is remarkably good. 

 

Tom, I have the XTi. What mode (P, TV, AV, M) do you shoot in? Also what settings do you use to blur the background for outside portraits? Lol- I really am a beginner. I had a Rebel film camera but I always shot in auto mode. I have finally gotten serious about wanting to really learn so that is why I am asking such basic questions.

venusj13:

Tom, I have the XTi. What mode (P, TV, AV, M) do you shoot in? Also what settings do you use to blur the background for outside portraits? Lol- I really am a beginner. I had a Rebel film camera but I always shot in auto mode. I have finally gotten serious about wanting to really learn so that is why I am asking such basic questions.

For outdoor portraits, start in AV, set your aperture to about f/4, maybe f/5.6 depending on the shot and number or people in the shot, take the shot and evaluate it... you may need a flash, or set the ISO higher... The best advice is to play with all the settings, noting what each change does to the picture. (That way you also get to shoot a bunch more shots! lol!)

Dan

I'd point you to the book by Bryan Peterson: "Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera"

his is the best, easy explanation of all the factors you need to think about.

Dave

venusj13:

Tom, I have the XTi. What mode (P, TV, AV, M) do you shoot in? Also what settings do you use to blur the background for outside portraits? Lol- I really am a beginner. I had a Rebel film camera but I always shot in auto mode. I have finally gotten serious about wanting to really learn so that is why I am asking such basic questions.

Depends on what I am shooting.  For action, you need to control the shutter speed and make it fast, so Tv is my usual choice.  Otherwise I tend to use Av and control my depth of field.  Sometimes I just shoot in Program because I don't need that level of control, or am doing something that is not conducive to concentrating on photography the whole time (like sightseeing.)

Another book you really should consider is The Photography Bible.  It is easy to understand, covers the basics very well, is up to date and will get you to the next step where you can say you know more than most people with a camera in their hand.  From there, you can read plenty of others.  But this is a good starting point:

The Photography Bible

Dave W:

I'd point you to the book by Bryan Peterson: "Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera"

his is the best, easy explanation of all the factors you need to think about.

Dave

I totally agree!  He gave the best explanation, bar none!!   I think every photographer should own this book.

Actually....I just ordered both of the books (Understanding Exposure & The Photographer's Bible) yesterday because I read another thread where both of the books were recommended.