Actually, some people keep asking me same question from time to time, what is my camera setting? Am I shoot in full manual? full auto? Which Film Simulation that I use (Film Simulation in Fujifilm Camera)? Which lens to use? etc, etc, etc.
To simplified my answer, let me create this post so I can share it to anyone who have interest to my camera setting. For your information (who do not use Fujifilm), in my camera there are 15 type of colour presets (while in newer type they have 16 types).
I do not think my style will suit everyone, as this custom settings are so subjective, however I just want to share how I like to set-up my Fujifilm camera:
Triangle Exposure
To put it short: I am an “Aperture Person”. I left ISO and shutter speed in program Auto. I let my camera do the metering job for me. However, I do play exposure dial quite a lot to get more creative shots. I do not think I can shoot with cameras that do not have dedicated exposure dial anymore.
ISO: Auto. Programable start from ISO 200 to ISO 6400.
Shutter Speed: Auto. Programmable minimal shutter speed is 1/500s. Means, my camera will use ISO 200 as long as I can get 1/500s or faster (1/1000s, 1/2000s, etc). Camera will raise more than ISO 200 to avoid shutter speed slower than 1/500s. In darker place, my camera will always try to push shutter speed minimal 1/500s, even if it means raise ISO to 6400.
Aperture: Always manual, I change aperture dial a lot when shooting out there. To decide how much depth of field I need when capture a scene. Do I need bokeh? Do I need sharp edge to edge? It is all based on my judgement (and mood) when I am on the scene. Lucky me, all Fujinon lenses that I have equipped with dedicated aperture ring for quick access.
In special cases, I override my setting manually to get more creative shots. Like in photo above, I know that I want to create a panning shot, therefore I change shutter speed dial to 1/30s manually to get movement effect. Thanks to Fujifilm cameras which have dedicated shutter speed dial, I do not need to dig into menu any more, and actually I can even change my setting without turn on camera first.
Focus
Due to my shooting style that keep change aperture a lot, I found that it was quite hard to use manual focus lenses. So, for now I keep myself to use only lens with autofocus.
Related article: Read here about Tracking Autofocus.
Raw vs JPEG
I shoot in RAW for all of my street photos, unless I was on long overseas trip and I did not have my laptop with me. Why RAW? Because I do not find any benefit using JPEG for my street projects.
My workflow:
– Move all images (that I like) to Lightroom catalogue
– Post process images with Fujifilm Film Simulation that we can find inside Lightroom
– Start to change settings like exposure, contrast, clarity, vibrance, etc.
Note: Even if I shoot JPEG, I will do the same workflow for my files (only minus apply preset).
Due to my workflow, for me processing RAW file has same amount of time as JPEG file. However RAW give me more freedom to tweak my photos as my liking. Street photography is all about moment, and in a split second difference great image can become a boring one. That is why, my working style is always click first and think later.
Even if my exposure at wrong level but the moment is there, then I will click my shutter first. Because I understand that I can post process exposure level, but a great moment is a great moment, I can not create it in my Lightroom.
In this case, the person inside photo above only gave me eye contact in less than half a second, then he started back to work again and totally ignored me. Unfortunately, I did not have time to adjust my exposure dial, I only use my reflex to clicked camera shutter while he saw straight to my camera.
These two photos above are an obvious example the benefit of shooting with RAW format. I simply could not recovery it that well with JPEG file (believe me, I tried).
Film Simulation in Fujifilm Camera
As I shoot with RAW, film simulation in camera is only for preview when I shoot my street project. However, I usually setting my camera to shoot with RAW + JPEG because I still use JPEG for photos that I do not plan to post process them. Like when I do snapshot random things or when I photograph my friends casually or simply documenting my daily life.
For colour style:
- Film Simulation Classic Chrome
- Colour +2
- Shadow +1
- Highlight +1
- Sharpness +2
- Noise Reduction -4
- Auto WB
- DR100
Sample images: (JPEG straight from camera)
and also check my previous post about Documenting Human Life at Traditional Shipyard. I shot all photos there in JPEG with setting above.
For Black and White:
- Film Simulation Black and White Red Filter
- Shadow +3
- Highlight +2
- Sharpness +2
- Noise Reduction -4
- Auto WB
- DR100
Sample images are photograph of my friends: (JPEG straight from camera)
Viewfinder or screen?
I use camera’s screen much more than viewfinder. Read here about Camera’s screen is better than viewfinder.
Choice of lens
I am a prime lens user, I do not have even a single zoom lens in my collection. Focal length that I use the most are (Full Frame Equivalent): 50mm lens and 35mm lens. I also do like 85mm and 24mm angle of view when I want to create something different than “normal looks”.
That is all about my camera setting. Find your own preference setting, always remember to set your camera become “disappear”, so it will help you to focus on shooting decisive moments out there.
Stay sharp and keep shooting everyday,
Nico Harold
Related articles:
Auto setting in camera is better than manual setting?
Fujifilm X-T2 for Street Photography
Fujifilm X-E3 for Street Photography
Fujifilm X100F for Street Photography