When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
How Do Nikon D3300 Portrait Settings Work
The Nikon D3300 is a versatile DSLR that offers features that enhance portrait photography beyond auto mode. Here are steps to refine your portrait photography skills.
Portrait Photography with Nikon D3300
Step 1. Determining the Light Metering Modes
The D3300 provides three light metering modes accessible via the settings menu by pressing the “i” button.
Matrix mode is the default, assessing light across the frame for balanced exposure. If results from Matrix mode are unsatisfactory, consider center-weighted or Spot Metering mode or manually adjust exposure compensation.
How Nikon D3300 Portrait Settings Work
Step 2. Optimum White Balance
Choose from various white balance modes. For mixed lighting, a preset manual white balance is advisable.
Auto white balance is the default setting. To adjust the white balance for different lighting conditions, navigate to the White balance option in the shooting menu and select Preset manual.
Step 3. Aperture Setting
Adjust the aperture value to control the depth of field in your portraits. An aperture of f5.6 or lower blurs the background, focusing on the subject. Change the aperture by rotating the rear Control dial. For a deeper depth of field, set a higher Aperture Priority of f9 or above, and the camera will automatically set the shutter speed.
Step 4. Accurate Shutter Priority
Set the shutter speed with the Command dial in Shutter Priority mode (S). The camera adjusts the aperture for correct exposure. Use a shutter speed of at least 1/30 or 1/60 of a second for handheld shots. Lower speeds may result in blurry images as Vibration Reduction has limits.
Step 5. Controlling in Manual Mode
Manual mode allows control over both shutter speed and aperture. The camera indicates if the exposure is off but won’t restrict shooting. As a beginner, balancing aperture and shutter speed may be challenging, but practice will improve your skill, enabling complex shots with ease.
Following these guidelines with the Nikon D3300 will enhance your portrait photography.
See Also