Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Camera settings for studio portraits aren’t magic numbers. The right aperture, shutter speed, and ISO depend on the portrait being created and how those settings affect the final image.
In this episode of Adorama TV, photographer Gary Hughes explains the mental shift that can make studio lighting much easier to understand. Instead of changing the camera settings to match the existing light, Gary chooses the settings based on what the portrait needs—and then adjusts the lights to match.
Using two dramatically different self-portraits, Gary demonstrates how aperture affects depth of field, shutter speed controls motion and ambient light, and ISO influences image quality and the amount of power required from the strobes.
The portraits require completely different settings, but the decision-making process remains the same:
1. Decide what the portrait needs.
2. Choose the settings based on those needs.
3. Adjust the lights to match.
4. The portrait drives the settings. The settings drive the light.
FREE STUDIO PORTRAIT SETTINGS FIELD GUIDE
Gary has created a free Studio Portrait Settings Field Guide to help photographers choose their settings with purpose instead of copying a list of magic numbers.
Sign up for Photographers Only, Gary’s free weekly photography newsletter, and the field guide will be delivered automatically:
tinyurl.com/2vmx7sp4
Photographers Only also includes a weekly professional photography tip, Gary’s latest videos, and information about his upcoming classes and speaking appearances.GEAR FEATURED
GO DEEPER ON ADORAMA TV
High-Speed Sync with Gavin Hoey
youtu.be/mRF7ocz8K5E
High-Speed Sync with David Bergman
youtu.be/HeSJzjhAmOU
High-Speed Sync with Samuel Bouret
youtu.be/EBCNeM9ee0w
Creative Movement with Slow Shutter Speeds with Gavin Hoey
youtu.be/u8Jzp9WYJn4
How to Use a Light Meter with Ab Sesay
youtu.be/iTlFiSB3NEA
The next time camera settings appear in a photography tutorial, don’t just ask what settings the photographer used. Ask why those settings made sense for that photograph.
Subscribe to Adorama TV for more photography tutorials, lighting demonstrations, gear advice, and professional education.
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Fujifilm GFX 100S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/fujifilm-gfx-100s-ii-102-mp-mirrorless-camera/p/ifjgfx100sm2
Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM WR Lens
adorama.com/fujifilm-gf-45-100-mm-f-4-r-lm-wr-lens/p/ifjgf45100
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II TTL R2 Outdoor Flash, Godox AD300pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Glow EZ Lock Quick Octa Large Softbox With Bowens Mount (36")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-octa-softbox-bowens-mount-36-inch-silver/p/glsbez36octa
Godox KNOWLED F200R RGB Flexible LED Light Mat (2 x 2')
adorama.com/godox-knowled-f200r-rgb-flexible-led-light-mat-2-x-2-ft/p/gof200r
Manfrotto 290 Xtra 3-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod
adorama.com/manfrotto-290-xtra-3-section-carbon-fiber-tripod-legs/p/bgt290xtc3us
#portraitphotography #studiolighting #photographytutorial #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Cinema youtube.com/@AdoramaCinema
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gary Hughes on Social
Instagram: instagram.com/garyhughesofficial
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCuVtQHQx3gbeRkm8UmugYng
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Camera settings for studio portraits aren’t magic numbers. The right aperture, shutter speed, and ISO depend on the portrait being created and how those settings affect the final image.
In this episode of Adorama TV, photographer Gary Hughes explains the mental shift that can make studio lighting much easier to understand. Instead of changing the camera settings to match the existing light, Gary chooses the settings based on what the portrait needs—and then adjusts the lights to match.
Using two dramatically different self-portraits, Gary demonstrates how aperture affects depth of field, shutter speed controls motion and ambient light, and ISO influences image quality and the amount of power required from the strobes.
The portraits require completely different settings, but the decision-making process remains the same:
1. Decide what the portrait needs.
2. Choose the settings based on those needs.
3. Adjust the lights to match.
4. The portrait drives the settings. The settings drive the light.
FREE STUDIO PORTRAIT SETTINGS FIELD GUIDE
Gary has created a free Studio Portrait Settings Field Guide to help photographers choose their settings with purpose instead of copying a list of magic numbers.
Sign up for Photographers Only, Gary’s free weekly photography newsletter, and the field guide will be delivered automatically:
tinyurl.com/2vmx7sp4
Photographers Only also includes a weekly professional photography tip, Gary’s latest videos, and information about his upcoming classes and speaking appearances.GEAR FEATURED
GO DEEPER ON ADORAMA TV
High-Speed Sync with Gavin Hoey
youtu.be/mRF7ocz8K5E
High-Speed Sync with David Bergman
youtu.be/HeSJzjhAmOU
High-Speed Sync with Samuel Bouret
youtu.be/EBCNeM9ee0w
Creative Movement with Slow Shutter Speeds with Gavin Hoey
youtu.be/u8Jzp9WYJn4
How to Use a Light Meter with Ab Sesay
youtu.be/iTlFiSB3NEA
The next time camera settings appear in a photography tutorial, don’t just ask what settings the photographer used. Ask why those settings made sense for that photograph.
Subscribe to Adorama TV for more photography tutorials, lighting demonstrations, gear advice, and professional education.
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Fujifilm GFX 100S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/fujifilm-gfx-100s-ii-102-mp-mirrorless-camera/p/ifjgfx100sm2
Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM WR Lens
adorama.com/fujifilm-gf-45-100-mm-f-4-r-lm-wr-lens/p/ifjgf45100
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II TTL R2 Outdoor Flash, Godox AD300pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Glow EZ Lock Quick Octa Large Softbox With Bowens Mount (36")
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-octa-softbox-bowens-mount-36-inch-silver/p/glsbez36octa
Godox KNOWLED F200R RGB Flexible LED Light Mat (2 x 2')
adorama.com/godox-knowled-f200r-rgb-flexible-led-light-mat-2-x-2-ft/p/gof200r
Manfrotto 290 Xtra 3-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod
adorama.com/manfrotto-290-xtra-3-section-carbon-fiber-tripod-legs/p/bgt290xtc3us
#portraitphotography #studiolighting #photographytutorial #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Cinema youtube.com/@AdoramaCinema
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gary Hughes on Social
Instagram: instagram.com/garyhughesofficial
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCuVtQHQx3gbeRkm8UmugYng
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
