PhotographyMar 18, 20268 min readKamero Team
Camera Settings for Event Photography: A Quick Reference Guide
Event photography moves fast. You don't have time to fiddle with settings when the first dance starts or the CEO walks on stage. Here are the settings that work for every common event scenario — memorize them and you'll never miss a shot.
Indoor Events (Banquet Halls, Hotels)
- Mode: Manual or Aperture Priority
- ISO: 1600-3200 (auto ISO with ceiling at 6400)
- Aperture: f/2.8 or wider
- Shutter: 1/125 minimum (1/200 with flash)
- Flash: Bounce off ceiling at 45 degrees. TTL mode.
- White balance: Auto or Tungsten (most banquet halls use warm lighting)
- Focus: Continuous AF (AF-C), single point or zone
Outdoor Events (Daytime)
- Mode: Aperture Priority
- ISO: 100-400
- Aperture: f/2.8-f/5.6 (wider for portraits, narrower for groups)
- Shutter: 1/250-1/1000 (plenty of light available)
- Flash: Fill flash at -1 to -2 EV to soften harsh shadows
- White balance: Daylight or Shade (shade adds warmth)
- Tip: Shoot in open shade when possible — even, flattering light
Stage and Performance Events
- Mode: Manual
- ISO: 3200-6400
- Aperture: f/2.8 (you need all the light you can get)
- Shutter: 1/250 to freeze movement, 1/125 for slower performances
- Flash: OFF. Stage lighting IS your light source.
- White balance: Auto (stage lights change color constantly)
- Metering: Spot metering on the performer's face
Sports Events
- Mode: Shutter Priority or Manual
- ISO: Auto (let the camera adjust)
- Aperture: f/2.8 (for subject isolation and light)
- Shutter: 1/500 minimum (1/1000+ for fast action like cricket, football)
- Focus: Continuous AF with tracking (AF-C + zone or wide area)
- Burst mode: High-speed continuous. 10+ fps if your camera supports it.
- Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8 is the workhorse. 100-400mm for field sports.
Wedding Ceremony
- Mode: Manual with Auto ISO
- ISO ceiling: 6400
- Aperture: f/1.4-f/2.8 for emotional close-ups, f/4-f/5.6 for wide ceremony shots
- Shutter: 1/125-1/200
- Flash: Depends on venue rules. Many ceremonies prohibit flash. Use available light.
- Silent shutter: Use electronic shutter if available — no click sound during vows.
Golden Hour / Sunset Portraits
- Mode: Manual
- ISO: 100-200
- Aperture: f/1.4-f/2.8 for dreamy bokeh
- Shutter: 1/200-1/500
- Position: Shoot with the sun behind the subject (backlit). Use a reflector or fill flash for the face.
- White balance: Shade or Cloudy to enhance the warm tones.
Kam-Sync Camera Configuration
When using Kam-Sync for real-time upload, configure your camera's built-in FTP client with the Kam-Sync credentials. Photos upload automatically as you shoot — no workflow change needed. The same settings above apply; Kam-Sync works with any camera that supports FTP transfer (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm).