For a long time I have been a RAW file shooter but recently I have started to shoot JPEG and to leave my Lumix G9 in iA mode (Intelligent auto) and also make use of my camera’s custom settings function, C1, C2 and C3.

In iA mode the camera sets the optimum settings for the scene allowing me to concentrate on picture taking and makes full use of the technology built into my G9.

I have been impressed by the results I have got when using my camera’s iA function and shooting in JPEG. When using iA it is better to shoot JPEG as part of the optimum settings and processing done by your camera includes the use of picture styles, portrait and landscape for example, picture style JPEG settings would not be captured if you were to shoot RAW.

Of course there are times when using iA is not practical or appropriate and to quickly switch between using iA and other camera shooting modes I have made use of my camera’s custom setting function C1, C2 and C3 as below.

• C1 – Programme mode and (RAW file)
• C2 – Sports (RAW file)
• C3(1) – Portrait (RAW file)
• C3(2) – Wildlife (RAW file)
• C3(3) – In camera HDR (JPEG)

This way I can quickly change between using iA and other camera modes without having to worry about changing my camera settings.

Of course, I always keep an eye on three things when using iA, aperture, shutter speed, and my histogram. I do not worry too much about ISO unless I am shooting in very low light.

I have found that many people ignore this function on their cameras. However, if you have it, it’s a very useful function.

Custom mode, is a camera setting that allows you to instantly recall a saved camera setup configuration, saving you time and effort when setting up your camera for different shooting scenarios.

Using your cameras custom function, allows you to store different shooting modes and features in the cameras custom memory. By doing so, you will be able to quickly change the settings of your camera to suit a range shooting scenarios.

You can configure just about any combination of camera setting that you like and save them to your custom settings. Some camera may have fewer settings than others.

I have a Panasonic Lumix GX8, I can save up to 5 different shooting preferences on my camera.

I have them set up like this.

Using the set-up, I can quickly change my cameras setting to suite my shooting needs. C1, is for every day shooting, quick shots, if you like. I have set the other custom settings for shooting, portraits, scenery, sports, and HDR.

Setting up all of the above manually each time I wanted to shoot a portrait, landscape, or set up my camera for an HDR shot, would be cumbersome, there are 60 variables to think about.

It’s a good idea to keep a note of the settings so you can easily recall what setting you have changed. I sat with my camera and an excel spreadsheet to do this.

It’s easy to forget to change settings on your camera (well for me anyway) and if you are shooting JPEG this can be a disaster.  For example, if you are shooting a portrait  indoors with incandescent light and your white-balance has been manually set to ‘incandescent’ and you then go outside to shoot, but forget to change your white-balance, your pictures will have a colour cast, spoiling your shots. Of course, if you are shooting RAW you can adjust the white-balance later.

Using your cameras custom setting function, means that you can instantly recall the correct settings for a particular shooting scenario and that you will be less-likely to forget a setting-change needed when shooting different subjects.

So, if you haven’t done so, check out your cameras manual and set up your custom functions now.