The only camera settings that matter.

Ditch the 300+ menu options on your Sony or Leica and discover the essential camera settings that simplify your workflow, improve your compositions, and help you focus on the art of photography. Shop Very Good Presets, LUTS, and gear: https://shopverygood.com/ Join the Very Good Discord:   / discord   Join the Patreon:   / daveherring   Visit me at https://dave.online/ Instagram:   / daveherring   Foto: https://the.fotoapp.co/dave Check out Harlowe Lighting and save using DAVE10: https://www.hobolite.com/discount/Dave10 My favorite strap (Use HERRING for 10% off): https://cleversupply.co?ref=9q5OV My favorite bag: https://backcountry.tnu8.net/k07qD0 insert for that bag: https://amzn.to/4fhbPf9 My Photo Kit: Leica M11P Safari: https://bhpho.to/4nqXyAa Leica M6: https://geni.us/H4NZTa Leica 28mm Summicron: https://geni.us/YAair Leica 35mm Summilux: https://geni.us/2xhIfkB Leica 50mm Summilux: https://geni.us/VtYro Leica 90mm Summarit: https://geni.us/sijs Cover Your RED DOT: https://geni.us/reddotcover/ My Video Kit: Sony A7SIII: https://geni.us/2ppkK Sony 16-35GM: https://geni.us/f5LTb Sony 50mm GM: https://geni.us/Etnf Sony 135GM: https://geni.us/PuyIF7 Mobile mic: https://bhpho.to/4dmP4WZ Studio mic: https://bhpho.to/49WxBlj Lens Accessories: VND#1: https://geni.us/wIwxkzI VND#2 (most used): https://geni.us/ULEmA CP: https://geni.us/DT5RBmt ProMist: https://geni.us/iB5zYbI My favorite mic: https://geni.us/4r7Q8xF My printer: https://geni.us/BbUcVOj Protect your gear: https://www.ppa.com/join/member-2-member I use Squarespace with a lot of custom coding for my website. Check out Squarespace here: https://squarespace.syuh.net/c/513183... Need additional footage? https://artlist.io/referral/6264182/Dave 00:00 Introduction: Snowy Morning at Garden of the Gods 01:06 500 Settings vs. The Simplicity of Art 01:56 Gear Check: Light Lens Lab 35mm Double Spherical 02:51 Embracing Auto Modes: Shutter Priority vs. Auto ISO 04:04 Setting Your ISO Limits (Leica M11P Performance) 04:39 The "2x Focal Length" Shutter Speed Rule 06:43 Surviving the Colorado Cold: Battery and Gear Management 07:12 Why You Should Use Fixed White Balance (5000K) 08:15 The Leica Tint Hack: 15 Clicks Toward Green 09:23 Setting Your Monitoring to High-Contrast Monochrome 10:47 Why Black and White Helps You See Better Compositions 11:49 Scouting Locations with Google Maps 12:52 Bonus Setting: Turn Off Auto Review 14:14 The Beauty of Delayed Gratification in Digital Photography 14:50 Final Thoughts and Photo Gallery Modern digital cameras like the Sony A7R5 and Leica M11 are packed with hundreds of menu settings that often serve as a distraction rather than a tool for creativity. In this video, shot during a rare snowstorm at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, we strip away the noise and focus on the only camera settings that actually impact your creative process. We discuss the practical "auto" modes you should embrace—like Auto ISO with set limits and the 2x focal length rule for shutter speeds—to ensure you never miss a shot. You'll also learn why shooting with a fixed 5000K white balance and monitoring your images in high-contrast monochrome can drastically improve your vision and color consistency. Finally, we talk about the "film mentality" for digital: turning off your auto-review to stay present in the moment. Whether you're shooting with a high-end Leica or a modern mirrorless system, these tips will help you move away from the technical manual and back toward the joy of making photos. DISCLAIMER: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you click it and buy the service or product, they give me a small commission for sending you. This is a small way I support this channel, and making videos like this one.