Where do you focus when you take a full body shot?

Also take some shots with MANUAL focus via Live View magnified, so we can see if there is any equipment issue...

no update on this one? i was just thinking that since he did mention this only happens in portrait orientation, i was thinking about the 550D's non cross type AF sensors were the issue?
also the first image posted looks like the focus is on the hair rather than the eyes of the subject. remember the focus point always grabs whatever is closer to the camera. if you let so much as even a tip of the focus point even get near to anything else other than the area you want to be in focus, it will grab that if its closer to the camera.

Eyes. Always the eyes.

Sorry for the late reply guys, Now I know what I did wrong
I learned so many things from you guys in this forum.
To get sharp pictures most important thing is the light. Now all my pictures are pretty sharp and I am happy with the results I am getting, though I need to improve my skills alot... Slowly slowly getting in to the correct track
This place is wonderfull full of great people around to help when needed... Thanks boys... have a nice sunday!!
Marco.

Also, be sure of what you think you are doing. You stated that the image from http://img846.imagesha​ck.us/img846/5748/img1​672y.jpg was done "eos 550 iso 400 at f4L IS @200mm 60 shutter speed." If you mean 1/60 sec then review your EXIF data because it states the shutter speed was 1/15 sec. f/4 (and ISO 100). Lots of differences between the EXIF and what you thought you did, although the shutter speed is the one most likely to affect the IQ.

They eye, always the eyes. I back button focus so it locks on when I release the button, don;t like it moving around when focus is under the shutter. I adjust my focus point to the closest one to the eyes. If you use the center point and recompose you can be changing the angle therefore changing that leg of the triangle or changing the distance from the subject. Not a big deal, but it can make a difference. Sometimes I find it easier to just focus manually so I don't have to move anything.

Jack