Why a Refresher?

We'll also talk about:

• Fast and slow shutter speeds
• Shooting with kit lenses vs. fast prime lenses
• Adapting your aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to match your creative goals

My Camera & Lens Setup

I use two main Sony bodies:

• Sony A7III – Max shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Sony A7C – Max shutter speed: 1/4000 sec

I prefer fast lenses (f/1.2, f/1.4), but I’ll also show examples with slower lenses (f/2.8, f/3.5, f/5.6).

Step 1: Understand the Exposure Triangle

Shutter Speed

Controls how long your shutter stays open.

• Fast Shutter Speed freezes motion
• Slow Shutter Speed introduces motion blur

Aperture

Controls how much light enters through the lens and affects depth of field.

• Wide Aperture (e.g., f/1.2) = More light + More background blur
• Narrow Aperture (e.g., f/5.6 or f/8) = Less light + More in focus

ISO

Brightens or darkens your image digitally.

• Keep ISO low (100) for cleaner images
• Raise ISO only in low light (indoors, golden hour, etc.)

Step 2: Choose Aperture First (Creative Control)

I shoot in manual mode, but I start by choosing aperture—just like in Aperture Priority Mode.

Example 1: Portrait with Background Blur

• Set aperture to f/1.2 or f/1.4
• Adjust shutter speed until exposure looks right
• ISO stays at 100 (outdoors)

Example 2: Full-Body Fashion Portrait

• Set aperture to f/2.8 or f/3.5 for more depth of field
• Adjust shutter speed for proper exposure
• Keep ISO low if possible

Step 3: Adapt for Different Light Conditions

Scene 1: Shooting in the Shade

• ISO: 100
• Shutter Speed: Start around 1/500 or 1/640
• Aperture: f/1.8 for creamy background

Scene 2: Backlit Portraits

• ISO: 100
• Aperture: f/1.8
• Increase Shutter Speed (e.g., 1/640) to retain highlight details

Scene 3: Using Slower Lenses (f/3.5, f/5.6)

• Aperture: f/3.5
• Shutter Speed: Lower to 1/200 or slower (watch for blur)
• ISO: Increase slightly (e.g., 250) to balance exposure

Scene 4: Harsh Sunlight on Face

• ISO: 100
• Aperture: f/1.8
• Shutter Speed: Increase up to 1/8000
• If limited to 1/4000: Stop down aperture to f/2.8 or f/4 to prevent overexposure

Bonus Tip: What If It’s Windy or the Subject Is Moving?

If you're worried about motion blur:

• Keep shutter speed at or above 1/200
• If light is low, increase ISO instead of lowering shutter speed

Final Thoughts

I hope walking through these examples helped you understand how I approach shooting portraits outdoors in manual mode. If you have questions, leave a comment. I’m happy to help!

Thanks for reading and see you next time!