Put your subject in open shade facing the bright sky, stand about 1.2 m away at 45 mm and f/5.6, and make sure there is at least five metres of nothing behind them. Focus the near eye. That is a good portrait, on this kit, in one sentence.
A mode 45 mm f/5.6 1/250 s min ISO auto ≤3200 ASTIA
The setup
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | A | Depth of field is the decision that matters |
| Focal length | 45 mm | Natural facial proportions, narrowest background, most blur |
| Aperture | f/5.6 | Wide open at 45 mm; f/8 if you want maximum detail over separation |
| Auto ISO | Bank 1, max 3200, min shutter 1/250 s | People sway, and 1/250 s covers a shift of weight |
| Focus | AF-S, single point, face and eye detection on | 10 to 24 cm of depth of field means the eye must be exact |
| Metering | MULTI | Drive brightness with compensation instead |
| Compensation | 0, or +2/3 for pale skin against dark greenery | The meter renders bright subjects grey |
| Dynamic range | 200% | Bright sky, shaded face — exactly what DR200 is for |
| Film simulation | ASTIA/SOFT, or CLASSIC CHROME for a documentary look | ASTIA is the flattering one; avoid Velvia on skin entirely |
| White balance | AUTO | Reliable outdoors, and RAW protects you |
Step by step
- Find the light first, then the background. Open shade at the edge of a building, under a tree canopy, or on the shadow side of a street. Have them face the open sky — that is your soft light source.
- Walk them away from the background. Five metres minimum, more if you can.
- Zoom to 45 mm and step to 1.2 m for head and shoulders, or 2 m for the upper body.
- Check the corners of the frame for bins, poles and strangers before you press.
- Tap the near eye, half-press, confirm green, and take three frames — people blink.
- Give a direction, not a command. “Look back at me over your shoulder” produces something; “smile” produces a rictus.
When it goes wrong
| Problem | Cause | Fix, in order |
|---|---|---|
| Face dark, background bright | Meter averaged in the sky | +1 to +2 EV; or move them so the bright area is out of frame |
| Harsh shadows under the eyes | Direct overhead sun | Move to shade; or turn them so the sun is behind and expose for the face |
| Background still busy | Not enough distance, or wrong focal length | More distance behind them, then 45 mm, then f/5.6 |
| Eyes not quite sharp | Focus on the nose or the hair | Eye detection on; tap the eye; three frames |
| Skin looks orange or ruddy | Velvia, or heavy warm bounce from a brick wall | ASTIA or PRO Neg. Std; move off the warm surface |
Variations
- Bright sun, no shade available: backlight them, +1 EV, DR400 at ISO 640, hood on, hand shading the lens.
- Overcast: compensation 0, DR100, keep the white sky out of frame, CLASSIC CHROME for mood.
- Golden hour: side-light for texture or backlight for a rim; DAYLIGHT white balance to keep the warmth.