The Settings I Use For 90% Of My Street Photography

While every shooting situation is different, I’ve found that having a reliable “default” setup removes friction and helps me be ready for unexpected moments. Here’s the starting point I use for most of my street photography sessions.

Boy on Father's Shoulders at White House

Aperture: f/8 - f/11
I prefer a deeper depth of field when shooting fast-moving scenes. It gives me more margin for error without making the image feel flat. This range keeps subjects sharp while still creating some separation from the background.

Shutter Speed: 1/250–1/500
Street scenes rarely stay still. Even subtle gestures—hand waves, head turns, or drifting fabric—can blur if the shutter is too slow. If I’m shooting cyclists or runners, I’ll bump up to 1/1000.

ISO: Auto, capped at 6400
I like prioritizing speed and aperture over ISO. Modern sensors handle noise surprisingly well, and a little grain can add character. Letting the camera decide the ISO frees up my attention for composition.

Woman and Dog at Washington Monument, Washington, D.C.

Focus Mode: Continuous Autofocus + Single Point
People move unpredictably. Continuous AF tracks motion reliably, and using a single focus point gives me far more control than multi-point modes, which often guess wrong.

Drive Mode: High-Speed Burst (sparingly)
A quick burst helps capture expressions or gestures that happen in a split second, but I avoid overusing it so editing doesn’t become a chore.

This “90% recipe” isn’t meant to be rigid—it’s just a dependable starting point that balances speed, sharpness, and spontaneity.
What about you? If you have a go-to street setup or a favorite setting trick, share it in the comments—I’d love to compare notes.