Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot)

amikhchi · 17th of February 2009 (Tue)

If i want to take a basic portrait shot of someone (not really glamor or anything, just as a memory of an event, etc.) should I be putting the camera at eye level? or more at chest level (with re-composing to keep eyes in focus) this will be done with a tripod so i'm not sure if recomposing is the best possible way to shoot these types of photos...

basically i just want to know if i should do it one of 3 ways:

A: have camera level with their chest and just focus and shoot

B: focus the eyes, and then aim back at chest and shoot

C: have camera level with their eye (or face, whichever is the right way to do it) and just focus and shoot

using rebel xs and either the 50mm 1.8 or the 18-55 IS kit lens (don't know if that matters, will most likely use the 50mm)

-thanks

david.p.livingston · 25th of February 2009 (Wed)

There is no set rule for this type of thing, there are lots of different ways to focus depending on the situation as well as the composition you want. From what I've read If I were you, I would set the focus to the center point, and focus on the eyes and then recompose the image.

Hinson · 26th of February 2009 (Thu)

If your subject is standing and you are doing a full length, then the camera should be at chest level. If you are shooting a head/shoulder shot, then the camera should be just a tad above eye level. Of course these are only guidelines.

iBeauty Photography · 8th of March 2009 (Sun)

+1 Hinson

Hinson · 8th of March 2009 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner Beauty Photography

+1 Hinson

Mmm, is that good or bad? Not sure I understand "+1" (it's an old age thing)

nuffi · 8th of March 2009 (Sun)

IT means that he agrees 100% with what you said and couldn't think of anything to add.

YORCHI · 8th of March 2009 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuffi

IT means that he agrees 100% with what you said and couldn't think of anything to add.

+1

Hinson · 8th of March 2009 (Sun)

Ahhh, thanks...

alemoine85 · 18th of March 2009 (Wed)

Thank you for the tips

Hinson · 19th of March 2009 (Thu)

I just noticed something in your initial post. Always focus on the eyes. If you are shooting a full or three-quarter length portrait where the subject is standing, the camera will normally be in the portrait position (sideways). This puts your top focus point (the one on the right side of the camera) at just about eye level. Additionally, when shooting a pose such as this, unless you are shooting wide open, you will probably be back far enough that the DOF will handle the small difference in focus.

plattepro · 22nd of March 2009 (Sun)

I would always focus on the eyes!

17th of February 2009 (Tue)	#1
amikhchi Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 97 IMAGE EDITING OK	Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) If i want to take a basic portrait shot of someone (not really glamor or anything, just as a memory of an event, etc.) should I be putting the camera at eye level? or more at chest level (with re-composing to keep eyes in focus) this will be done with a tripod so i'm not sure if recomposing is the best possible way to shoot these types of photos... basically i just want to know if i should do it one of 3 ways: A: have camera level with their chest and just focus and shoot B: focus the eyes, and then aim back at chest and shoot C: have camera level with their eye (or face, whichever is the right way to do it) and just focus and shoot using rebel xs and either the 50mm 1.8 or the 18-55 IS kit lens (don't know if that matters, will most likely use the 50mm) -thanks

25th of February 2009 (Wed)	#2
david.p.livingston Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Peoria, IL/Ames, IA Posts: 220 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) There is no set rule for this type of thing, there are lots of different ways to focus depending on the situation as well as the composition you want. From what I've read If I were you, I would set the focus to the center point, and focus on the eyes and then recompose the image. __________________ davidlivingstonphotography.com 1ds mark II - gripped 40d - 24-70 f2.8L - 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM - 50mm f1.8 - 70-200mm f4L IS USM - 430ex - Vivitar 285 - cybersyncs - strobist stuff..... rebel g

26th of February 2009 (Thu)	#3
Hinson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Germantown, Maryland Posts: 1,799 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) If your subject is standing and you are doing a full length, then the camera should be at chest level. If you are shooting a head/shoulder shot, then the camera should be just a tad above eye level. Of course these are only guidelines. __________________ Hinson Artist tools: Canon 60D, 28/2.8, 100/2.8 Macro, Tamron 28-300 Macro Blog: www.jerrywhitephotography.com ________________________________________________

8th of March 2009 (Sun)	#4
iBeauty Photography Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland Posts: 141	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) +1 Hinson

8th of March 2009 (Sun)	#6
nuffi Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 922 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) IT means that he agrees 100% with what you said and couldn't think of anything to add.

18th of March 2009 (Wed)	#9
alemoine85 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) Thank you for the tips __________________ Male Yeast Infection Help

19th of March 2009 (Thu)	#10
Hinson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Germantown, Maryland Posts: 1,799 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) I just noticed something in your initial post. Always focus on the eyes. If you are shooting a full or three-quarter length portrait where the subject is standing, the camera will normally be in the portrait position (sideways). This puts your top focus point (the one on the right side of the camera) at just about eye level. Additionally, when shooting a pose such as this, unless you are shooting wide open, you will probably be back far enough that the DOF will handle the small difference in focus. __________________ Hinson Artist tools: Canon 60D, 28/2.8, 100/2.8 Macro, Tamron 28-300 Macro Blog: www.jerrywhitephotography.com ________________________________________________

22nd of March 2009 (Sun)	#11
plattepro Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 510 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Rule of thumb (how to setup the shot) I would always focus on the eyes! __________________ Sally Ford ----------------------------------------------- PHOTOGRAPHY: www.sallyfordphotography.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sallyfordphotography

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Whats the Rule of thumb?	SUB1IM388	Canon EOS Digital Cameras	24	21st of November 2008 (Fri) 10:36
is there a rule of thumb for ...	azpix	Small Flash and Studio Lighting	5	17th of May 2008 (Sat) 21:53
Thumb rule for aperture?	pnalagonda	Canon EOS Digital Cameras	12	20th of May 2007 (Sun) 18:07
iso rule of thumb	mr michael	RAW, Post Processing and Printing	4	1st of January 2007 (Mon) 16:57
rule of thumb Q help.	frankthatank4418	Canon EOS Digital Cameras	11	26th of November 2006 (Sun) 22:57