Which aperature to use?

[safehaven]

I need to take a very basic "mug shot" to send to a magazine editor to place next to an article. Basically, torso up and on a white background.

I am thinking that a narrow depth of field is not the best for this? Maybe there isn't a definitive answer to this. I am assuming that I'll be using my 17-50 or 50mm.

Thanks!

[Michael_Lambert]

Depends on personal preference,

I would use the 50mm bring a prime it would be sharper and shoot around F4.

[StewartR]

It's digital so it doesn't cost anything to experiment. Shoot at f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11. Decide which one works best for you and keep it. But don't immediately bin the rest. Post them here for people to see and compare. Share your newly-gained knowledge here for the benefit of others.

[Raphael Emond]

I normally use f/5.6 for these types of shots. Good DOF, Sharp on every lens.

[Mark_Cohran]

I normally use f/5.6 for these types of shots. Good DOF, Sharp on every lens.

That would be my recommendation as well.

Mark

[Longwatcher]

for default, go with f5.6 as mentioned.

For the obsessive compulsive, figure out how much DoF you need to get all of the subject in focus and then blur the rest - that will determine your aperture.

Somewhere they have software that does this and Canon has look-up tables for the lenses. I printed them out and carry them in one of my bags. I think the look-up tables are either in the camera museum site or on beBit.

[Jarrad]

Maybe I'm weird, but I usually shoot these in the f11-18 range. :)