I used to bring my Nikon with me on all my trips. The photos I took have been incredible!
However, this last summer, I went to Europe for a vacation that was longer than my typical vacation. I didn’t bring my camera in order to travel light. I brought my phone.
Just now, all my photographer friends groaned. Let me say, a phone will never be able to catch an image as beautifully as an SLR camera.
That being said, it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis.
Usually, I frame a picture or two to hang on my wall. From my most recent trip? I want to frame none from this trip. I mean, half of that is because it was cloudy for 12/14 days, but the other half was “the camera”.
I bought a phone that had great reviews of the camera. Why wasn’t I taking good photos?
While all the cloudy days didn’t help, even if I had all sunny days, I’m not sure I would’ve gotten any pictures unless by sheer luck.
Truth is, I didn’t know how to use my new camera. I never tinkered with it until my Duluth trip , where I finally figured it out.
Settings and Why
The settings should be able to stay the same in most conditions. I have them noted in the picture I took waiting for Real Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
I’ll note the settings from left to right. I have a Galaxy S7.
Exposure Compensation
This should rarely be used. When other settings are normal, this setting pretty much asks, “do you want your photo under or over exposed?”
It might be useful if you have one factor that disrupts the auto meter, such as a bright light, but I would suggest you change your meter source to a single point or something that gives you more control before you change exposure comp.
Aperture
This is what I have in auto mode, which sounds insane because aperture is the crux of quality photography. Generally, because the aperture can change so much, it’s often the difference between white overexposures, black underexposures, and nice photographs.
Since it tends to be very sensitive, I just leave it in auto mode. The right settings will open the lens, if possible.
ISO
Many people don’t know what ISO is. To explain it to my dad, who learned manual photography, I just said it’s like film speed. I think that’s reasonable, since they both have numbers like 200, 400, and 800. ISO is basically how sensitive the exposure is to the light.
My phone has ISO that goes up to 800. This isn’t high enough to make shots grainy, a common issue with SLR cameras, when running ISO of 2,000 or more.
It could likely be in auto, but in low light conditions, I usually make it as high as I can, otherwise there may not be enough light. The camera isn’t always perfect measuring light. Mine is usually on 800.
White Balance
Keep this on auto for 95% of conditions. There are some low light or weather situations with which you would use White Balance, but it can always be adjusted with a photo app, etc.
Autofocus
This should always be on. Turning it off is like wanting to twist your lense by hand to focus your camera.
Pallet
This is identical to a filter, like vivid or soft. I keep it at standard and leave it for post exposure.
C
This just means one saved these settings as Custom 1 and is not an adjustment.
Variability
The only thing from above that gives any room for play is ISO, which you might want to keep on auto.
The rest is up to you, your photographer’s eye, and your skills.
Good luck!
