Focusing multiple objects

[Rishka78]

I am sorry I could never find the answer to this question. ( I am still very new)

When you photograph say 2 people close-up where do you focus to get both faces very sharp? I know larger F-stop would gives better DOF and focusing on person's eyes sharpness. But I can figure out where to focus in case of 2-3 people. I am trying to take a pictures of my husbund plaing with the baby. I always get one face sharp and another ... not so sharp ( especially if there is a little distance between them)

Thank you

[bobbyz]

You can shoot them at wider apertures if you shoot from a distance. But stopping down will help. Post an example shot and can then recommend where to focus.

[Rishka78]

Thank you for the reply. I am posting an example. This was kind of a snapshot but gives you an idea what I mean (hopefully). When I take pictures like this I always get one person's face sharper than the other. I try to focus on one person and recompose but it doesn't fix the problem. Where should I focus in this case?

Thanks again

[The Moose]

What you mentioned in the first post is pretty much spot on. They're not in line with each other so it focuses either closer or further away. Obviously playing with a baby he'll be moving around often, but if you can move so that they're in line with each other when he's holding him up it should help.

[egordon99]

That looks ok to me re. the sharpness of both people. What aperture did you use? I routinely shoot at f/1.4-2, and I REALLy have to keep an eye on my composition to keep it from one person being really sharp, and the other person being a complete blur. I would he happy with the shot you posted. If you want them both to be sharper, not much you can do except (1)Keep them closer to being in the same focal plane, and (2)Use a smaller aperture.

[Captain_Vimes]

Hi Rishka,
I too have had this problem and it's so frustrating! As far as I can understand it, (and I could be totally wrong!) wherever you choose to focus (the eyes usually), the depth of field will extend 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind your focus point so what I usually do is focus on the eyes of whoever is nearest to the camera, so that the depth of field will then cover 1/3 in front of them, getting their nose etc in focus, and will also cover 2/3 behind them, getting the second person in focus (if your aperture is stopped down enough). In the example you posted I'd prob have focused on the baby's eyes as the baby is closest to the camera, and as you get more depth of field behind the focus point, it should hopefully cover your husband too.

Not sure I've explained that v well but hope it makes sense and hope it works!

(Also, I know ppl will disagree with me but I never use focus-recompose with my kids as they just move around too much, I manually select the nearest focus point)

[Yaamon]

Rishka78, try to step down the lens F5.6 to F8 and try and focus at the midpoint of the subject.

When you are shooting at a wider angle <24mm you will get good depth of focus with F5.6.

When you shoot at longer focal length you need smaller aperture >F5.6-F8.

[Rishka78]

Thanks so much everybody! I will use your suggestions. This is one of the main thing I am struggling with.

[Hinson]

Rishka; according to the Exif data, you shot this at F8 at 1/30 and lens at 42mm.

Here is where the problem comes in. On your camera, 42mm is longer than normal. (a normal lens for a crop body would be about 31mm) The longer you go, the less depth of field you will get when you are shooting up close like this.

It appears that the baby's eyes are about 3-4 inches closer to the camera than hubby's.

When shooting like this, try to have baby's and hubby's eyes on the same plane. Also, you might want to try F11 to get a bit more depth of field.

[Rishka78]

Guys, you are great! I've learned so much from you!

[Lutefisklover]

Is this really a DOF issue, or could it be motion blur from the low ss? Is this handheld, or with a tripod?
If you are shooting at f8 and 1/30, my guess is that you have sufficient DOF at f8. I'd suggest a tripod and something like f5.6 and 1/60, or f4 and 1/125. Depending on your ISO setting, you may want to bump it up to get a few more stops of shutter speed and/or aperture to work with.

[Hinson]

Ya know, I have to agree with lute..., in fact, on closer examination, the whole image seems just a bit soft.