How to get focus for little cropping with rot.....

[NicolaB]

I am experimenting with composition (rot and diagonal method) this week but it has raised a few questions in my mind.

I want to start to take a shot as I see it - leaving only a small amount of cropping to maximise pixels.

So for eg sooc

[IMG][/IMG]

What I want to be able to take is:
[IMG][/IMG]
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 70 mm
ISO Speed 200

Usine diagonal (bottom left) and rot I could then crop on the right only (or should I get into the habit of leaving room at the top too for error?) - but none of the focal point fall on her eyes.

As i am shooting wide open if I recompose, at that distance surely the dop would move the sharpest focus off her face?

I haven't used the dop button yet - would this be accurate enough to show the sharpest focus on the eyes? Is that the answer?

So many questions. Hope it makes sense?

[RichardTaylor]

I would get in real close and almost fill the frame with your subject.

I would focus, on the eyes, (either manually or one shot) & recompose.
Keep in mind that when shooting at wide apertures DOF will be minimal so if either you or your subject move, on the z axis, then you may not still be focussed on the eyes.

If you are shooting wide open, or near wide open, the DOF preview will not look much different than the normal view., At smaller apertures it will give you an idea at least of what to expect.

[NicolaB]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

I would get in real close and almost fill the frame with your subject.

I would focus, on the eyes, (either manually or one shot) & recompose.
Keep in mind that when shooting at wide apertures DOF will be minimal so if either you or your subject move, on the z axis, then you may not still be focussed on the eyes.

Whoosh - and that one went right over my head - lol

z axis being depth?

So is it possible to get this image - as in the crop, but sooc. As you say, if I recompose that close, the chances are that I will loose focus right?

When you say get in really close, do you mean to get the best focal shot but not composed like the second image? Am I missing your meaning?

Do I have to accept that many images NEED cropping if I am going to get a reliable focus?

Another thought this has just raised, if that is the case, would I be as well to use the more reliable central focus point? Why do they make it the most reliable focus point. It is after all a semi pro camera - and pro photography is rarely centred.

[RichardTaylor]

Yes, Z = means depth.

I almost always use centre focus point only, and almost always use one shot focussing only when shooting people. Yes it is possible to loose focus.

When I mean get close, have the person filling at least a fairly large part of the frame, at least top to bottom, unless you are shooting an environmental portrait.

Most of my portraits are candids or non formal vacation captures.

(1) This is what I men about almost filling the frame with the person.
It's a vacation capture.

Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture f/4
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash Flash did not fire

(2) and another vacation one.


Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/4
Focal Length 105 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Flash did not fire

Most of my pics are cropped, mostly for compositional purposes, as I usually don't have a lot of control over my subject or my shooting position. However I try to keep the cropping to a minimum.

(3) This candid has been cropped for compositional purposes.


Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/2.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire


Hope this helps.

[kristenh]

Nicola, what about moving your focus point around using the keypad at the back of the camera? mine, anyway, will let you choose your focus point, doesn't have to be center. i have tried center focus then recompose shooting wide open and have found it to be nearly impossible because dof is so shallow. another dps poster once suggested that, for kids, i use the center point focus and then autoservo- its called something else in nikon, but the name escapes me- but the camera follows the focused-on subject. that works for me frequently. my kids are very wild, though, perhaps yours are less so?

[NicolaB]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

.....

I almost always use centre focus point only, and almost always use one shot focussing only when shooting people. Yes it is possible to loose focus.

When I mean get close, have the person filling at least a fairly large part of the frame, at least top to bottom......

Most of my portraits are candids or non formal vacation captures.

(1) This is what I men about almost filling the frame with the person.

Most of my pics are cropped, mostly for compositional purposes, as I usually don't have a lot of control over my subject or my shooting position. However I try to keep the cropping to a minimum..

Thank RIchard for taking the time. I have tried again today based on your tips. My head was whirring with exposure, changing focal points, fill the frame (I even tried to throw in leading lines for good measure - lol) That plus a 21 month little girl trying to get 'into' the duck pond left me frustrated! I WILL try and implement your tips another day! In your images, I feel as if I am at dinner with you all. What are we ordering? Thank you for your help .

Originally Posted by kristenh

Nicola, what about moving your focus point around using the keypad at the back of the camera? .... i have tried center focus then recompose shooting wide open and have found it to be nearly impossible because dof is so shallow. another dps poster once suggested that, for kids, i use the center point focus and then autoservo- its called something else in nikon, but the name escapes me- but the camera follows the focused-on subject. that works for me frequently. my kids are very wild, though, perhaps yours are less so?

I have been trying this, but the images still seem in soft focus. I am not sure if this is because I am not close enough in - as per RIchards post. SS are high enough to discount shake. I had Al servo set - I wonder if it should be Al focus - will recheck manual - Thanks ps they 'wildly' run from the camera - lol

[RichardTaylor]

Just keep practicing, you will get there in the end..

That was from our 2008 vacation. It was our first night in Paris and we were in a local bistro. One of us had rabbit, I can't remember what the other meal was. My wife had a glass of wine & I had a beer.

[NicolaB]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

...........One of us had rabbit, I can't remember what the other meal was. My wife had a glass of wine & I had a beer.

lol I am impressed you can remember what you all ate and drank for a meal in 2008 lol. I guess photos do anchor these things. When we were last in Paris the boys had steak tartare - PUKE!