I purchased my OM-D E-M5 Mark III nearly five years ago. In that time, I thought I had learned most of the tips, tricks, and techniques — and knew when to use them.
I was wrong.
Live Composite: My Go-To Tool
Like many OM System users, I rely heavily on Live Composite — at least 95% of the time — when capturing moving lights in darkness. Depending on ambient light, framing the shot can be simple… or frustrating. I’ve often boosted ISO to the max, taken a test shot, reviewed it, adjusted, and repeated.
It worked. But it wasn’t efficient.
Revelation #1: Live View Boost
Somewhere in a conversation with ChatGPT, we stumbled on Live View Boost — a setting I had tried years ago and dismissed. Why? Because the display doesn’t reflect your current exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). It just brightens the screen.
But that’s exactly the point.
With Live View Boost turned on, I can now frame and compose in near-total darkness — something that’s often impossible using just the standard view. Yes, it doesn’t preview exposure, but it boosts the display brightness enough to see what I’m doing. I pair this with the INFO button to show the histogram and level indicators.
How I use it now:
- I enable Live View Boost for Live Composite, Live Time, and Bulb modes (in the menus).
- I use it purely for framing, not exposure judgment.
- It saves me test shots and time.
This one setting significantly improved my workflow.
Revelation #2: Setting the Right Shutter Speed for Live Composite
Another question lingered: What’s the best way to choose the base shutter speed for Live Composite?
Again, ChatGPT provided the path I hadn’t seen explained clearly elsewhere:
“Choose your aperture for the creative look you want, set your ISO for overall brightness, then use Live Time to preview how your exposure builds in real time. Once you find the exposure that looks good, use that shutter speed as your base for Live Composite.”
That method just makes sense. And it works.
My updated approach:
- Choose aperture for depth of field.
- Adjust ISO for scene brightness.
- Use Live Time to preview and time the correct base exposure.
- Set that shutter speed in Live Composite mode.
Why Olympus/OM System Stands Out
ChatGPT summed it up nicely:
“The Live Time (and related Live Bulb/Live Composite) feature found in Olympus/OM System cameras is unique in its implementation. It allows you to watch the exposure build in real time on the screen during long exposures — ideal for light painting, fireworks, and astrophotography.”
And:
“If real-time exposure monitoring is critical to your workflow (e.g., for fireworks, light painting, or nightscapes), OM System is the only brand with a truly integrated solution. Their Live Composite and Live Time tools remain unmatched in usability.”
Conclusion
After five years, I’m still learning new ways to get the most from this camera. Features I once ignored have become key parts of my night shooting process.
Oh, I love my Olympus.
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