Cheat sheet · People

Camera settings for outdoor portraits

Shoot a short telephoto wide open in open shade or at golden hour; focus on the nearest eye.

ModeAperture priority
Aperturef/1.8–f/2.8
Shutter1/250 s+
ISO100–400Auto ISO with min shutter
FocusEye AF, AF-C
Lens85 mm (FF) / 56 mm (APS-C)
White balanceCloudy / ShadeWarm skin
Quick start: Shoot a short telephoto wide open in open shade or at golden hour; focus on the nearest eye.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 12. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/2000 s1/8000 stoo brighttoo bright
f/2.81/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 stoo bright
f/5.61/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/81/60 s1/250 s1/1000 s1/4000 s
f/111/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s

Step by step#

  1. Place the subject in open shade or backlight at golden hour.
  2. Separate subject and background by several metres.
  3. Bounce light back with a reflector.

Gear checklist#

  • 85 mm or 50 mm prime
  • Reflector
  • Diffuser

Pro tips#

  • Longer focal lengths flatter faces and compress the background.
  • At f/1.4, a slight head turn puts one eye out of focus — f/2–2.8 is safer.

Common mistakes#

  • Harsh midday sun on faces.
  • Distracting backgrounds — move the subject, not just the camera.
Golden hour portraitsBacklight with the low sun for glowing hair light, then fill the face with a reflector.… Headshots85–135 mm at f/4–f/5.6 keeps the whole face sharp; soft key light at 45°.…

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for outdoor portraits?

Aperture: f/1.8–f/2.8 · Shutter: 1/250 s+ · ISO: 100–400. Shoot a short telephoto wide open in open shade or at golden hour; focus on the nearest eye.

What gear do I need for outdoor portraits?

85 mm or 50 mm prime, Reflector, Diffuser.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources