More portraits - not right this time?

Comments always welcome. I think both eyes should be sharp. I have been trying too shallow a dof.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

The DOF rule is; for maximum DOF focus 1/3rd of the way into the image. DOF will be 1/3rd in front of and 2/3rds behind the point that was focused upon. For more DOF use smaller apertures (usually between F 8 and F 16) or shorter lenses. In portraiture short lenses may distort the face if held too close.

Benji

#1 has good focus on the eyes - of the left person, but there's too shallow a DOF resulting in the person on the right being quite soft/OOF. You wanted a shot of both people - which is why the other person was in the shot. So try an appeture that'll work for both people - likely a flash needed for small appeture.

I agree - but Im trying to keep the background bokeh.

Very little margin for error when you shoot wide open, if you want nice blur in the background and have sharp subjects, I think the best option is to move subject further from background and set for smaller aperture.

Second option, use a longer Focal and move away from subject. DOF preview switch should give you
a good Idea of results.