New 85mm lense

[NicolaB]

I posted one of my best a couple of weeks ago, and was told it was a snap shot. He was right - it was but I didn't see that until it was pointed out.

I did a weekend course to learn how to take the camera out of automatic (!) and bought a portrait lense and this is the result.



Should have used a higher aperture perhaps f/4? All feed back good or bad goes into the pot to help improve my skills!

Thanks in advance.

Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[natek313]

I really like the concept of this photo. The focus is off slightly, though, and that's a bummer. But, you're shooting at f/1.8 (very small DOF) and at 1/60 second with a lens that is effectively 136mm on a 1.6x cropped sensor. Without IS, it's not going to be easy to shoot with that lens much below 1/100 second. Trust me; I have the same lens. Haha.

You could have bumped up your ISO to 400, which would have put your shutter speed at 1/125 second - assuming you keep the f/1.8 aperture. That would have reduced the chance of any slight camera shake. Also, nailing focus at f/1.8 isn't the easiest thing in the world. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll find it easier and easier.

Nice work!

[NicolaB]

Of course - you should match the shutter speed to your lense - doh! Mental note made. Thank you!

I was too busy trying to get the girls to keep still whilst oh too slowly working out right exposure.

You lost me at the "at 1/60 second with a lens that is effectively 136mm on a 1.6x cropped sensor" bit?

[Lois khalafalla]

I think the crop is great. She is beautiful! I think I would have bumped up the ISO to 400 though.
Overall, I think this is a great portrait!

[lputman]

In addition to what natek313 stated, you have to remember, especially when shooting wide open how the focal plane affects the photo. Half a step to your right and assuming he still was looking at you would have put his eyes on the same focal plane allowing for them both to be equally sharp.