Focusing

minicoop503 · 1st of July 2006 (Sat)

Hi, I am starting to get into more complicated picture taking now and I would like to know how to get the subject in crisp focus but have the background blurred. Any help would be appreciated.

Stavhp · 1st of July 2006 (Sat)

have the lowest aperture you can have, this will give you a small focus area
Use the AV on your camera and put it to lowest number which will give you the higest aperture

minicoop503 · 1st of July 2006 (Sat)

ok, thanks a lot

frenchdub · 3rd of July 2006 (Mon)

Hi there

Wide aperture is just one aspect of what you are looking for.
Also use a longer lens 80-200 zoom at f2.8 or f4 will give you a nice soft background on a portrait say...

Make sure you background is as far away as possible from your subject... this too will exaggerate the difference in the focus between the subject and background.

Finally by avoiding distracting detail and colour in the background this too will make your subject stand out... so too will having the background much darker or much lighter than you subject...here with careful metering you should get a nice shot...

Regards
Gareth

sharpshootr987 · 3rd of July 2006 (Mon)

Make sure to focus on the subjects eyes, something i forgot when I was starting out.

Mike R · 3rd of July 2006 (Mon)

All the replies are great. I would just like to add that if you are new to DSLR photography you may want to pick up a copy of the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and published by Amphoto. It's great and very easy to understand. This is a book that you will learn from unlike some books which are more of a "look what I can do" type . You can find it at most major book stores in the US, It is also available on Amazon.com
Best of luck

minicoop503 · 3rd of July 2006 (Mon)

Thanks for all of your replies, Im going to go and try it!

-Aaron

1st of July 2006 (Sat)	#1
minicoop503 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 16	Focusing Hi, I am starting to get into more complicated picture taking now and I would like to know how to get the subject in crisp focus but have the background blurred. Any help would be appreciated.

1st of July 2006 (Sat)	#2
Stavhp Goldmember Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Posts: 2,303 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Focusing have the lowest aperture you can have, this will give you a small focus area Use the AV on your camera and put it to lowest number which will give you the higest aperture __________________ Canon 7D, sigma 17-70, Canon 50mm F1.8, Canon 70-300mm IS http://www.flickr.com/photos/stav-p/ Last edited by Stavhp : 1st of July 2006 (Sat) at 19:04.

1st of July 2006 (Sat)	#3
minicoop503 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 16	Re: Focusing ok, thanks a lot

3rd of July 2006 (Mon)	#4
frenchdub Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: France Posts: 63	Re: Focusing Hi there Wide aperture is just one aspect of what you are looking for. Also use a longer lens 80-200 zoom at f2.8 or f4 will give you a nice soft background on a portrait say... Make sure you background is as far away as possible from your subject... this too will exaggerate the difference in the focus between the subject and background. Finally by avoiding distracting detail and colour in the background this too will make your subject stand out... so too will having the background much darker or much lighter than you subject...here with careful metering you should get a nice shot... Regards Gareth

3rd of July 2006 (Mon)	#5
sharpshootr987 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 190 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Focusing Make sure to focus on the subjects eyes, something i forgot when I was starting out.

3rd of July 2006 (Mon)	#6
Mike R Goldmember Join Date: May 2006 Location: 06478, CT Posts: 4,275	Re: Focusing All the replies are great. I would just like to add that if you are new to DSLR photography you may want to pick up a copy of the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and published by Amphoto. It's great and very easy to understand. This is a book that you will learn from unlike some books which are more of a "look what I can do" type . You can find it at most major book stores in the US, It is also available on Amazon.com Best of luck __________________ Mike R www.mikerubinphoto.com

3rd of July 2006 (Mon)	#7
minicoop503 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 16	Re: Focusing Thanks for all of your replies, Im going to go and try it! -Aaron

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