Question about focus point choice for portraits

[snyderman]

As in what focus points SHOULD I be using? Right now, I have my camera set for one shot, centerpoint focus and doing the focus, recompose to shoot tighter. This doesn't seem to be working well.

Please share your experience on what works best to get those eyes in total focus? Thank you very much!

dave

[phamster]

here is what i do.

single shot.
center point, locked and recompose.. (i don't know what you mean by shoot tighter? meaning you walk in closer?)

make sure you are at least f2.8 or higher for best results if you are 1/2 body length

but i usually am in the f3.5 or higher.. so sharpness is everywhere..

[snyderman]

here is what i do.

single shot.
center point, locked and recompose.. (i don't know what you mean by shoot tighter? meaning you walk in closer?)

make sure you are at least f2.8 or higher for best results if you are 1/2 body length

but i usually am in the f3.5 or higher.. so sharpness is everywhere..

Thanks Pham. Big help. Last night, I took a couple of snaps of my son before leaving for homecoming dance. Didn't turn out well.

In shooting tighter, I mean I don't want to crop much if at all possible. Also, I don't know how 'lock focus.' But this makes sense. Might help to review manual unless you can provide a 30-second overview for my 50D! ;)

Also, I usually choose f/8 so everything should be in focus. What seems to happen is that everything is equally OOF. I'm sure it's me and not the gear, though!

dave

[SuzyView]

I put into Talk. When you have an image to Share, then put that in Photo Sharing.

[Benji]

Here is how I get about 99% of my shots perfectly in focus.
1. Center point focus.
2. Aim the camera at the subject and press the shutter button down half way. Look at the composition and adjust for what you don't like. This will be done by zooming with a zoom lens or stepping forward or backing away from the subject if shooting with a prime lens. Once you get the composition the way you want it, aim the center point of the camera at one of the eyes of the subject and again press the shutter button 1/2 way down. Once the focus is locked CONTINUE HOLDING THE BUTTON DOWN and recompose the shot the way you had it a second ago then press the shutter button the rest of the way down. You cannot move forward or backward after pressing the button 1/2 way down or the shot will be OOF. You CAN zoom however.

Another reason for OOF shots is using too slow of a shutter speed. In ambient light the shutter speed should never be lower than the focal length of the camera. For example you are outdoors with your 200mm lens, your shutter speed must be more than 250. Another example. You are again outdoors but this time with your 50mm lens, the slowest shutter speed you should use is 1/60. If you are using a tripod you can use just about any shutter speed you want!

Benji