Camera settings for film are considered the key to perfect image quality in photography. Correct settings ensure pure detail representation and atmosphere of the image, while inappropriate settings can lead to unexpected errors. Both beginners and photographers looking to improve their shooting techniques will find it useful to master the principles of settings. This article will explain the logic of settings regarding exposure and color.
Exposure plays a crucial role in the brightness contrast of images. Whether overexposure, underexposure, or correct exposure – all are directly influenced by it. Three key elements of the exposure triangle are aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which can be flexibly adjusted depending on the practical shooting situation.
Aperture: the valve controlling the amount of light entering the lens
The lens aperture controls the amount of light, and its opening size is indicated by the f-number: the lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light can enter the lens, which results in a shallower depth of field and is ideal for low-light photography. The higher the f-number, the smaller the aperture. The increased depth of field is suitable for shots with a sharp background.
For portrait and still life photography, the photographer should choose a large aperture because it creates a creamy bokeh and can emphasize the main subject. Regarding bokeh, SIRUI Saturn is characterized by a strong sense of compression, separating the subject from the background and giving the film an artistic touch, while producing a beautiful and sharp image.
For landscape photography, it is recommended to use a smaller aperture; this keeps both the subject and background sharp and clear. In low light conditions such as indoors and at night, a large aperture is suitable as it captures more light and minimizes image noise caused by high ISO settings.
Shutter speed: essential parameter in the exposure triangle
Shutter speed is a measure of the duration of light exposure on the sensor or film through the camera shutter, controlling the length of time the shutter is open, allowing light to hit the image sensor. Shutter speed significantly affects whether moving objects are captured sharply or shown with motion blur.
A short shutter speed, e.g., 1/4000 s or faster, is suitable for freezing fast movements like flying birds or athletes. This results in a sharp image without motion blur. With a longer shutter speed, the shutter remains open longer, and more light is captured, which is necessary in dark environments or night shots. This also creates motion blur, which can be artistically used to generate dynamics, like flowing water from a waterfall.
ISO: balancing sensitivity and noise
ISO is the sensor's sensitivity to light. That means, depending on the ISO value, the sensor reacts differently to light. The higher the ISO value, the more light it captures during photography and the brighter the images are, but noise also increases, and clarity is strongly reduced by disturbing noise. At a lower ISO value, the photo is darker.
When setting ISO, you should first determine the aperture and shutter speed. In daylight, low ISO values like 100–200 ensure minimal noise. In weak indoor light, you can initially use a large aperture; if the shutter speed is still too slow, you should increase the ISO value to ensure sufficient exposure with acceptable noise.
For night shots like a cityscape in darkness without a tripod, handling is central. To create a sharp shot, it is ideal to set the ISO value higher so that enough light can be captured despite short shutter speeds.
Color mode: adjustment of the final image's color style
In camera settings in film, the color mode is also indispensable. The standard mode achieves a natural color reproduction and is suitable for scenes that require a sense of reality – such as documentaries or portraits.
The vivid mode can enhance contrast and saturation, making it ideal for landscapes or food photography – the shots thus appear more striking and appealing.
In neutral mode, saturation and contrast are reduced, preserving more details. It is especially suitable for color post-processing of landscapes or still lifes.
Conclusion
There is no so-called single answer when it comes to camera settings in film. For example, a large aperture can reduce the depth of field, and a fast shutter speed sometimes also leads to unexpected noise. The most important thing is to set the camera timely and appropriately according to practical needs.
If you can consciously perceive the light as well as the composition of the images and become familiar with the camera setting technique, then a perfect shot is definitely not a problem.
