Second Attempt at Child Portrait with 430EX II - CC's please

[PRAMOS67]

Well, here is a pic from my second attempt at a child portrait of my son. So far I am pleased with what I am seeing, but I feel I am still lacking something to make the images outstanding.

My current setup is a 430EX II on camera – I have an umbrella, but am still waiting for delivery of my wireless trigger.

This is image was processed slightly in DPP to increase the brightness, but nothing more. It was shot in AV mode with my nifty fifty with the following settings – f8.0, ISO 100, 1/200. I also bounced the flash almost straight down.

I shot about 20 photos all with slightly different apertures as I am trying really hard to understand what it does. I believe my second problem with all my shots is the focus point. I have read tons of posts on this forum stating focus on the eyes. The pic attached is one that gave me the most trouble. When I focused on my son I held the shutter button halfway like normal until it finds the AF points but these are hardly ever were on the eyes so almost every pic the shirt is perfect but the eyes/face are soft. I am sure this is something easy to cure but I just can’t get it. I am using One-Shot AF, but wonder if AI Servo AF is any better. I also wonder if I should change the AF point to the center and if so how do you correctly recompose when taking portraits especially with a child that is moving around?

As you can see I am really confused - Any help on this focusing issue and CC’s on the picture would be greatly appreciated.

[DerekW]

I always use the center focus point only instead of letting the camera do it. Center on the eyes, half depress the shutter to lock focus, then re-compose. You should be able to set that on your camera, not sure how to do that your model. Stay on one shot AF.

[DerekW]

Also, try to move him farther from the background

[advaitin]

You need some separation from your background. You don't have to cover the object on which the child sits, but if you do, it doesn't have to be the same sheet. Once you have the separation you can put a small slave and flash behind the object to light the background, washing out any wrinkles, texture, etc. All things being equal, if you can't get the AF to do what you want, manually focus, since the subject is relatively still.

[ottonova]

I also set the AF to the center point instead of auto. For head shots I use a larger aperture like f/3.5 to isolate the subject more from the background, but I don't know if you get everything in focus when doing a full body shot. The problem with f/3.5 and larger is that you cannot recompose that easily without losing focus. Can you post one with f/4 or larger?

[bobbyz]

Since you using hot shoe flash you can always shoot at wider apertures. That will help blur the bg more.

No AI servo mode, just use one shot. If you can focus using the * button at the back, it will help as it separates shutter trigger from focussing.