Using Tripod for shooting potraits

[danielyamseng]

How many of you guys select focus point to shoot potraits using a tripod? I found out that it's difficult to align the focus point to the subject even if I choose the focus point.

[asysin2leads]

It depends on what type of portraits you're talking about. I usually use a tripod if I'm not shooting small kids. If I don't have to worry about the subject moving, I will. If I'm trying to catch the tasmanian devil on the run, I don't use a tripod. That's just me.

[danielyamseng]

Shooting a model in a studio. Tried out once with 5D mark II 9 focus point, I have to adjust the tripod every time the model change her pose. The model was a little annoyed having waiting quite a while for me to adjust the tripod.

[Wilt]

Good reason not to use wide open apertures when shooting portraits! DOF then provides a means to focus once, and as long as the model is sitting on the same stool (even rotated into a different orientation relative to the camera) they remain in focus.

[danielyamseng]

No wonder most studio shoots at f8 or smaller. Is this is the main reason studio shoot use small aperture?

Another thing is If I use small aperture, then most probably I dont even need to use a tripod, unless I don't use any studio lights/flash.

[Wilt]

No wonder most studio shoots at f8 or smaller. Is this is the main reason studio shoot use small aperture?

Another thing is If I use small aperture, then most probably I dont even need to use a tripod, unless I don't use any studio lights/flash.

The main reason for a smaller aperture is that portrait clients are not as 'artistic' as the photographer...the photographer might like the look of one eye in focus (and little else), but the client wants the whole head to be in focus...and you shoot what sells.

A tripod makes it so much nicer to walk to the subject to adjust lights or the pose, and to use a radio remote to trigger the shutter with your hand in your pocket while you are not near the camera, so that the subject (who is more relaxed after hearing the shutter click the first time) is captured a second later with a less artificial expression on their face!

[danielyamseng]

Wilt, that made sense. But If that's the case then most probably the lens mounted on the tripod is a zoom lens. Otherwise I'd have to move the tripod forward or backward, unless I limit the model movement.

[bjyoder]

Wilt, that made sense. But If that's the case then most probably the lens mounted on the tripod is a zoom lens. Otherwise I'd have to move the tripod forward or backward, unless I limit the model movement.

Consider as well that, with a camera like a 5D MK II, you could set the frame to capture the entire model, and crop to the proper framing you see in your head (assuming you're going to print 8x10s, and not going to make a billboard from the shot).

[Wilt]

Wilt, that made sense. But If that's the case then most probably the lens mounted on the tripod is a zoom lens. Otherwise I'd have to move the tripod forward or backward, unless I limit the model movement.

As already indicated, cropping -- after the shot is made -- is a choice. Portraiture was done for many decades, on tripods with fixed focal length lenses! After all, the frame aspect ratio (3:2 for APS-C or FF)) is very different from the final print ... 5:4 (4x5", 8x10", 16x20"), 7:5 (5x7"), 14:11 (11x14")!

[danielyamseng]

Used to shoot without cropping the shoots. But the problem is if I shoot a lot, then cropping out these shoots would be quite a hassle.

[Wilt]

Used to shoot without cropping the shoots. But the problem is if I shoot a lot, then cropping out these shoots would be quite a hassle.

Few shots are made in the camera, which would not be compositionally improved with judicious cropping in post processing. We used to do it all the time in the darkroom, when shooting film. As I just posted, the frame aspect ratio (3:2 for APS-C or FF)) is very different from the final print ... 5:4 (4x5", 8x10", 16x20"), 7:5 (5x7"), 14:11 (11x14") so you have to crop, unless you want to leave it up to the commercial printer or drugstore high school part timer!

[RDKirk]

Shooting a model in a studio. Tried out once with 5D mark II 9 focus point, I have to adjust the tripod every time the model change her pose. The model was a little annoyed having waiting quite a while for me to adjust the tripod.

If you have a 5D2 on a tripod, the optimum technique is shooting with Live View. Seriously, it will change your world.

Thirty years ago, I was shooting portraits with a TLR and a view camera. Viewing the image on a groundglass is a significantly different experience from "peerin' through a tiny 'ole." You're actually looking at the picture, and see it as a set of compositional elements much more clearly.

The 5D2 screen is large enough and sharp enough to bring back that ol' groundglass feeling. Like a groundglass, you can move back and see the picture as a picture. Like a groundglass, your face is not glued to the back of the camera, but you can look over it and interact directly with the subject (good for all subjects, invaluable for children and animals).

It's even better than a groundglass because it's brighter and...for the first time...the depth of field preview is actually useable down to the smallest apertures. That is a huge thing.

If you're on a tripod, it's better than the viewfinder because (aside from not "peerin' through a tiny 'ole") you can select and magnify nearly any point of the image area for precise focusing (as we could using a loupe with a view camera groundglass), and you know it's sharp because you're focusing at the true sensor plane.

If you're shooting in available light (say, window light with a reflector) you can set the camera to "exposure simulation" mode. I haven't tested this to see how accurate it is, but it will at least show you immediately if your exposure is 'way off (for shooting with flash, you'll want to turn that feature off, though). You can also turn on the histogram to get "real time" exposure information.

On a tripod with a 5D2...go with Live View. It's a genuine "game changer."

[René Damkot]

It's a genuine "game changer."

Except for the longer shutter release drag (is that the word?)...

[HappySnapper90]

No wonder most studio shoots at f8 or smaller. Is this is the main reason studio shoot use small aperture?

Another thing is If I use small aperture, then most probably I dont even need to use a tripod, unless I don't use any studio lights/flash.

A tripod makes you ready to take a photo at any instance and your arms might get tired from holding your camera up to your eye for a whole session. By using a tripod and cable release, you can talk to your subject more naturally before taking the photo and also take photos when your subject is more relaxed not trying to be "ready" which may make for an even better portrait.