Settings for walkabout photography

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Siberdib

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Richard
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I had a very basic question asked to me the other day and was stumped in how to answer it. My friend has recently brought a DSLR and is a complete novice so I was explaining a few basics about aperture, shutter and ISO. Once I had explained about the difference in a landscape photo and portrait, he asked what would the settings be for a general walkabout photo? Although I said it depends on the exposure and creative effect required, I was stumped to explain what would be a best starting ground for a picture as simple as the Big Ben clock face.

I explained that being hand-held you would need to start at a minimum shutter of 1/100 for his lens type, but what would be the best starting point in either aperture or shutter priority be? Simply, if you aren't looking for a particular creative effect and want a simple picture, why wouldn't you start in automatic mode?

Thanks in advance :thumbs:.
 
For me it's not easy to know what I am going to photograph on a walkabout. It might need to be a quick shot and I dont have time to adjust the settings.

So I generally have my 18-200mm lens on and either ISO200 or ISO400 depending on the weather. I set the camera on 'P' because this will automatically change the ratio between the aperture and speed depending on the zoom length (ie if I set the zoom at 200mm it will increase the speed and open the aperture). If I want to change either the speed or aperture myself I can do it easily using the same dial. It works for me.
 
Strangways said:
For me it's not easy to know what I am going to photograph on a walkabout. It might need to be a quick shot and I dont have time to adjust the settings.

So I generally have my 18-200mm lens on and either ISO200 or ISO400 depending on the weather. I set the camera on 'P' because this will automatically change the ratio between the aperture and speed depending on the zoom length (ie if I set the zoom at 200mm it will increase the speed and open the aperture). If I want to change either the speed or aperture myself I can do it easily using the same dial. It works for me.
Click to expand...

Just about what I do!
If you just want 'quick snaps' then auto is fine, but then again, why buy a DSLR? You may as well buy a P&S!
Using all the modes/speeds/aperture/settings is part of the learning, have fun, so what if you don't get it right!
 
Auto ISO up to 1600, aperture priority, lens open nice and wide.

That's about it when I haven't got time to worry about settings.
 
I use:

Aperture priority
Auto ISO
Chose an f-number dependant on what I'm shooting (i.e. ~f/8 for landscapes, f/2.8 for more portraity things).

Then up the iso if shutter speeds aren't quick enough, and alter the aperture if DOF isn't what I had pictured in my head!
 
Thanks for the replies all it makes a lot of sense to put the camera into program mode for walkabout photos. It just bothers me that I constantly aim to hit my lenses sharp point in certain situation - around f8 - as I look to shoot at 50mm. Does the focal length play a strong part in determining the aperture setting in each mode?
 
noneforit said:
I usually have mine set on apeture priority mode with ISO200
Click to expand...

:agree:

I use the same settings as above, and adjust the ISO and/or aperture to suit. It only takes a second and I would rather do this and know I have more control over the image than my camera does in Programme mode. Incidentally, I shoot RAW also.
 
Aperture priority
f/4
and the rear dial set to quick ISO so I can spin it to the right if I need a higher ISO for a faster shutter speed

My walk abouts are usually in the hills so I have time to check my settings, I guess it would be different if I was in an urban enviroment.
 
P mode and tweak settings as necessary/required. Need more speed - dial in what you want; more DoF, again, spin that wheel! If you are stopping for a rest, then start playing with A or S or even M if you want to.
 
You honestly don't really need anything more than Program Mode + Auto ISO as most modern cameras have 'smart program' which means you can change the aperture within usable limits anyway.
 
Siberdib said:
I had a very basic question asked to me the other day and was stumped in how to answer it. My friend has recently brought a DSLR and is a complete novice so I was explaining a few basics about aperture, shutter and ISO. Once I had explained about the difference in a landscape photo and portrait, he asked what would the settings be for a general walkabout photo? Although I said it depends on the exposure and creative effect required, I was stumped to explain what would be a best starting ground for a picture as simple as the Big Ben clock face.

I explained that being hand-held you would need to start at a minimum shutter of 1/100 for his lens type, but what would be the best starting point in either aperture or shutter priority be? Simply, if you aren't looking for a particular creative effect and want a simple picture, why wouldn't you start in automatic mode?

Thanks in advance :thumbs:.
Click to expand...

I normally leave my ISO setting at 400. This means that in acceptable light right up to very good light on sunny days, I get shutter speeds that are good enough to avoid camera shake - even on non IS lenses. It also means that low light photography can expose well without having to open the shutter for a day and a half. Noise does begin to creep in ever so slightly at ISO 400 on some cameras (mine included) but it is barely noticeable in the best of situations and a touch of NR will get rid of it.

Use F/8 to get a good amount of sharpness from the lens, and still some DOF effect if taking shots of things closeup. Then just alter shutter speed to expose. This is pretty much how I use my camera, I think of it as 'ISO priority mode', as grainy photos are my worst nightmare and I will compromise almost any other setting to avoid it, except in special circumstances where a grainy photo can work .
 
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