Wrong focal point or Aperture too high?

[Shaun Fisher]

I am very new at doing this forum stuff properly so any help with the photo or even EXIF details needed would be greatly appreciated.

I feel I may have focussed on the wrong eye or not enough of the face.

Date & Time: 2009:11:07 14:33:14
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens Type: Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L or Sigma Lens
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 200 mm
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
ISO Speed: 800
No Flash

[Gaurav Prabhu]

I too agree that the focus is incorrect.
Focus more closely near the nose.

[inkista]

Ummmm... how did you get a focal length of 200mm with a 17-35 f/2.8 lens?

I'm not bothered by the far eye being the one in focus, but I think you're right--having the near eye in focus (and thus more of the face in focus, too) might be more effective. You probably can't stop down to f/8 for more DoF without having problems with camera shake, unless you've got the lens stabilized somehow.

[Echidna]

I think that the photo is good as it is however I would agree that the closer eye would be better to have been in focus.

If you want to increase the DoF reduce the aperture (larger number = smaller aperture). Another way to efficiently use your DoF is to remember that the DoF is about 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind the point of focus.

Enjoy.

[Shaun Fisher]

Originally Posted by inkista

Ummmm... how did you get a focal length of 200mm with a 17-35 f/2.8 lens?

Well spotted! I uploaded my photo at work & just copy pasted the photo details off of Flickr. My lens is 18-200mm F3.-6.3 DC OS.

Thanks for the imput. The next one will be better