good SLR camera settings?

Question by Branden: good SLR camera settings?
i just want to know if anyone knows any good SLR settings for portraits,
now ive been told 1000 times that “theres no magic settings”
but i mean settings that you think might be good or the ones you use most of the time,

i have a canon rebel XSI, EF-S 18-55 IS kit
and i also have a canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 lens.
hope that helps

thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Sam
True, there are no magic formulas, but try the 50mm lens at f/1.8. Focus sharply on your main subject and let the background go blurry. 50mm translates into a “classic” portrait equivalent of 80mm on your XSi. It lets you get a little bit of distance between your subject and the camera so you are not all up in their face and they can relax. It is a flattering focal length as well. Yes, you have this on your kit lens, but at 50-55mm, you will be at f/5.6 and it will be harder to throw the backgound out of focus.

So…

Use the 50mm, using Av or aperture priority choose f/1.8 and see where the shutter speed ends up.

You might want to use your pop-up flash at (-1.0 or -0.7 ev) if there is a problem with shadows on the subject’s face.

I won’t go into any more about lighting, as your question tells me that you are just starting out in this type of photography. Although… Outdoors on a cloudy day is great. (Don’t forget to use the cloudy day white balance setting.)

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