Aperture setting for portraits?

[mson]

Is there a general rule for the best aperture range for shooting portraits? I like to shoot around 2.8 to get good bokeh but I have a hard time getting enough of the shot in focus. I'm not sure if it's my technique or if I'm just trying to large of an aperture. I know focal length and distance make a difference, maybe I need to try different distances?

[Fyerfytr]

usually around f8-f-11 for me, I like the bokeh more for outdoor portraits.

[John E]

An aperture of f/2.8 makes for a very narrow depth of field. At that aperature it's possible to that a person's nose and ears will be out of focus, even though his eyes are perfectly focused. Also, the image quality at f/2.8 is usually not as good as with a larger aperature. Most lenses have a sweet spot around f/5.6-8. Finally, the camera is less focus forgiving when using a large aperture, and your focus has to be spot on.

Aperture size is also dependant on the length of lens you use. Using f/2.8 with a telephoto lens makes for a narrower DOF than a wide angle lens.

If I use multiple flashes or studio lights and am not concerned with blurring the background, and have enough light to work with, I will use f/8-11. However, if I want to blur the background, or need more light, I will usually use f/2.8-4.

Hope this helps.

[airfrogusmc]

I really depends if the background is important or any number of reasons like effect I'm trying to achieve. I usually shoot my portraits on a backdrop with the subject out 6 ft maybe more if I have the room and between 2.8 and 4 to soften the background. 5D, 85mm lens. If I'm doing environmental portraits it just depends on what I'm trying to say. If the background is real important I'll stop down and make it sharp if its not important or distracting I'll open it up to a f stop to just soften it or totally blur it.

[mson]

Thanks for the info so far! I should add that this is for portraits taken outdoors.

[JeffreyG]

It really depends on the look you want. Somtimes I don't mind if some things get soft so long as the eyes are sharp. Other times I want all sharp.

I suggest f/4 on 1.6X and f/5.6 on FF minimum for shots where the nose to ears range is all sharp enough.

I like this one even though not much is in focus other than the eyes....f/2.

[airfrogusmc]

at 2.5 85mm
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_7206low.jpg

at 1.8 35mm
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_86721.jpg

2.2 85
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/IMG_6597.jpg

I do allot of portraits between 1.8 and 4.

[airfrogusmc]

Also don't limit yourself or your creativity to a set aperture. Do whats right for each situation. Sometime you might need to stop down, that would be the right choice and sometime you will need to open up do what you feel is right for the moment.

[mson]

Thanks for the examples airfrogusmc. I think I need to play around with aperture at different focal lengths so I know better what to expect.

[cdifoto]

f/32.

[airfrogusmc]

f/32.

I say f64....go heavy or go home.

[cdifoto]

I say f64....go heavy or go home.

:-D

[Thornfield]

Have a look here http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html it will give you an idea of what to expect with your camera/lens combinations.
using my 70-200 at 2.8 on the 1D MK2 N gives me no margin for error at all when doing headshots. 20% are keepers if I'm lucky. Having said that I love the look when I nail the focus.

[mson]

Have a look here http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html it will give you an idea of what to expect with your camera/lens combinations.
using my 70-200 at 2.8 on the 1D MK2 N gives me no margin for error at all when doing headshots. 20% are keepers if I'm lucky. Having said that I love the look when I nail the focus.

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