How to adjust Canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography settings?

Let’s get this straight first; for the job, you need proper equipment. If you don’t already have one, get a lens specifically designed for portrait photography of the Canon 5D Mark IV (Hey! It’s on Amazon)

With a 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a powerful DIGIC+ 6 image processor, the Canon 5D MARK IV is loaded with rich features. A total of 61 AF points for the Canon 5D MARK IV (41 cross-type). They are linked to this camera’s metering system that allows you to detect and track colored objects, but also to perform face recognition. There is a bright and large viewfinder with 100 percent coverage. You’ll be able to shoot up to 7 frames per second. The native ISO range can be extended up to 102400 from ISO 100-32000 and can be reduced to 50 again.

A portrait photo captured with canon 5D MARK IV proper settings

STEP 1. A wide aperture always helps

If you want to take good portrait shots, it is important to use a wide aperture sometimes. The wide angle aperture generates a shallow field depth and gives a subtle blur to the background of your subject, making your captured photograph unique and flawless. In addition, some special portrait lenses can even be used to give you a wider aperture (around f/1.4-f2.8), helping you to blur the background extensively.

STEP 2. Experiment with different angles

The photo is very engaging and improves the eye contact between the subject and the audience by capturing portrait photographs with eyes being the subject. But sometimes, from above, choose a different angle where the focus would fall on the face rather than the body, or that makes your subject taller and larger below the eye level. Continue to experiment with these viewpoints and bring a new perspective to the image.

STEP 3. Use a reflector

Canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography settingsNeewer 5 in 1 Portable Multi Camera Lighting Reflector

Canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography


A quick and cheap way to brighten up your portraits and give them a professional look is to use a reflector. To bounce back the light on your subject and fill up the unwanted shadow portion, use them outdoors or indoors (near the windows).

Double-sided or detachable covers come with many reflectors. From a wide range of reflectors available on silver, white and gold surfaces, you can use the best ones according to your needs.

STEP 4. Use higher ISO

canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography - ISOISO portrait photography canon 5D MARK IV
When you photograph individuals, the facial expression will blink or change. There is nothing worse than a photo where, instead of smiling, someone is half-blinked or glowing. You need a fast shutter speed to avoid these kinds of problems and prevent motion blur from appearing on your captured images. By avoiding camera shakes, it will also assist in getting sharp shots.

STEP 5. Shoot in RAW and B&W

Shooting in the raw format is advised when taking portraits. It creates a digital negative while shooting in a raw format that preserves details and then produces high-resolution images that can be easily edited.

In your captured photos, you can also shoot in black and white to highlight different textures and add more drama. For photographers who are trying to get a different effect from every portrait photo they click for any given photoshoot, this is highly advisable.

canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography - RAW and B&Wcanon 5D MARK IV portrait photography – RAW and B&W

canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography - B&Wcanon 5D MARK IV portrait photography – B&W

STEP 6. Use gels on your Speedlite

canon 5D MARK IV portrait photography - gel

Gel portrait photography, Canon 5D MARK IV
The mood of your photographs can change by adding CTO (orange) or CTB (blue) gels. Using a CTB (BLUE) gel will sometimes help to warm up the entire environment when taking photos in a cloudy and blueish environment, if you can correctly adjust the white balance of your camera. CTO (orange) can also emulate sunlight, too.

These are a few of the key steps to take with each shot to get the best Canon 5D Mark IV portrait photography. You can always experiment with the one bet that suits your specific needs and background.

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