In a method for generation of magnetic resonance exposures and a control device for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, a number of coils are available in the apparatus, the coils being are positioned at various locations relative to the examination subject. Initially a radio-frequency signal is emitted and a spatially-resolved signal intensity distribution is measured with at least one or some of the available coils. An automatic determination of a three-dimensional exposure profile of the appertaining coils is made based on the received signals. A selection of one or more of the appertaining coils for a subsequent magnetic resonance measurement is made on the basis of the determined exposure profiles of the coils as well as the measurement region to be acquired in the magnetic resonance measurement.