For portrait, where should focusing pt be when using big aperture eg f1.4, f1.8?

[novello76]

Can anyone advise. I just want to see if I have been doing it right as I aim centre of eye, but most time, the image looks out of focused around eye area. Not sure if this is correct or if its due to some back focus issue.

[haagen_dazs]

the observer is always first drawn to the eyes of a portrait.
eyes should generally be in focus.

you have to be really careful coz the dof is very small.
if you are consistently getting it oof, might be because the cam is not accurate enough (eg 1 series canon vs other canon dslr) or your lens has back/front focusing issues...

[jOhO]

well the "rule" is that u should focus on the eyes... after that u can break it if you want.. just like any other rules in photography...

[TMC]

The EYES have it!!!!

[eow]

did u focus and shifted/recompose after locking on the eye?
if yes that a common mistake as the depth is very shallow..chances are it out of focus every time u shifted..try to choose yr focusing point manually

[dragos]

eyes...

[reachme2003]

focus between the eye white and eye ball. happy shooting.

[Deadpoet]

Focus on the eyes, they must be in focus. However, make sure you have sufficient DOF to cover the nose and the rest of the face.

[wind30]

Originally Posted by Deadpoet Focus on the eyes, they must be in focus. However, make sure you have sufficient DOF to cover the nose and the rest of the face.

Will one has enough DOF to cover if using a 85mm lens shooting at f1.4? Usually if one is using a 85mm lens, what aperture do you usually set for portraits to get nice OOF background and in focus face. When I had my 50mm f1.4, I found it hard to use at f1.4 or even f2.0 as the face is sometimes slightly OOF.

[Deadpoet]

Originally Posted by wind30 Will one has enough DOF to cover if using a 85mm lens shooting at f1.4? Usually if one is using a 85mm lens, what aperture do you usually set for portraits to get nice OOF background and in focus face. When I had my 50mm f1.4, I found it hard to use at f1.4 or even f2.0 as the face is sometimes slightly OOF.

I can only talk about the EF50 1.4 and EF85 1.2L.

Head shot, the DOF for the 85 (wont use the 50) at 1.2/1.4 is about 1.5-2 cm, very difficult to use for a traditional/classical headshot. If you are shooting an European, figure from the tip of the nose to the back of the ear to be approx 10-12cm. I have to open it up to 4-5.6, sometime even to 8. Still can get a decent bokeh, if needed.

For a full body shot, you can go all out to 1.2/1.4 for both lens, but becareful with your focusing technique. If you focus with the middle focusing point and then reframe the picture, the slight pivot may throw the focus off if you are shoot at 1.2/1.4.

I rarely go below 2.8 for either lens. But, that bokeh thrown out by the 85 at 1.2 is like an impressionist painting. If done right, it's amazing. And I am tempted every time.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by wind30 Will one has enough DOF to cover if using a 85mm lens shooting at f1.4? Usually if one is using a 85mm lens, what aperture do you usually set for portraits to get nice OOF background and in focus face. When I had my 50mm f1.4, I found it hard to use at f1.4 or even f2.0 as the face is sometimes slightly OOF.

I personally prefer it stopped to f4 or so... less chance of oof

[unseen]

Originally Posted by wind30 Will one has enough DOF to cover if using a 85mm lens shooting at f1.4? Usually if one is using a 85mm lens, what aperture do you usually set for portraits to get nice OOF background and in focus face. When I had my 50mm f1.4, I found it hard to use at f1.4 or even f2.0 as the face is sometimes slightly OOF.

The DOF chart for the 2 lenses (85 1.2 + 50 1.4). To find the DOF, take the (far distance - near distance), and that's the amount of DOF you have.
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/c...l_usm_dof.html
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/c...4_usm_dof.html
To get the OOF background, you have to understand how it's formed, and place the subject accordingly..

[yyD70S]

Thanks for the enlightenment!

Originally Posted by Deadpoet I can only talk about the EF50 1.4 and EF85 1.2L. Head shot, the DOF for the 85 (wont use the 50) at 1.2/1.4 is about 1.5-2 cm, very difficult to use for a traditional/classical headshot. If you are shooting an European, figure from the tip of the nose to the back of the ear to be approx 10-12cm. I have to open it up to 4-5.6, sometime even to 8. Still can get a decent bokeh, if needed. For a full body shot, you can go all out to 1.2/1.4 for both lens, but becareful with your focusing technique. If you focus with the middle focusing point and then reframe the picture, the slight pivot may throw the focus off if you are shoot at 1.2/1.4. I rarely go below 2.8 for either lens. But, that bokeh thrown out by the 85 at 1.2 is like an impressionist painting. If done right, it's amazing. And I am tempted every time.