Cheat sheet · People

Camera settings for headshots

85–135 mm at f/4–f/5.6 keeps the whole face sharp; soft key light at 45°.

ModeManual
Aperturef/4–f/5.6Both eyes and ears sharp
Shutter1/160 sFlash sync
ISO100
Lens85–135 mm
LightingSoftbox 45°, reflector
Quick start: 85–135 mm at f/4–f/5.6 keeps the whole face sharp; soft key light at 45°.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 10. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 stoo bright
f/2.81/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/5.61/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s
f/81/15 s1/60 s1/250 s1/1000 s
f/111/8 s1/30 s1/125 s1/500 s

Step by step#

  1. Position the key light 45° to the side, slightly above eye level.
  2. Bring the chin forward slightly.
  3. Focus on the nearest eye.

Gear checklist#

  • 85–135 mm lens
  • Softbox or window
  • Reflector
  • Plain backdrop

Pro tips#

  • Catchlights at 10 or 2 o'clock bring eyes to life.

Common mistakes#

  • Wide lenses close-up distort noses.
Indoor portraits with window lightA large window is a giant softbox — turn the subject toward it and expose for the face.…

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for headshots?

Aperture: f/4–f/5.6 · Shutter: 1/160 s · ISO: 100. 85–135 mm at f/4–f/5.6 keeps the whole face sharp; soft key light at 45°.

What gear do I need for headshots?

85–135 mm lens, Softbox or window, Reflector, Plain backdrop.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources