A self portrait in natural light

[Bruce A]

I set up a sheet of black foam core board near the patio door for a backdrop, took a couple of test shots using manual focus and a remote cord. Looking at the LCD screen I had thought I'd nailed the focus even when magnified (maybe I need new glasses), but I was not too happy although at least apart from my left eye. I believed an f/10 stop would have ensured both eyes would be in focus, but the right is a little soft as you can see. So, do you think this works or is it imperitive to get both eyes tack sharp in a portrait? Any other criticisms gratefully accepted from you knowledgeable people. Thanks.


Just some guy by banphotography, on Flickr

Camera Nikon D700
Exposure 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 70 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash
Exposure Program Manual
Max Aperture Value 2.8
Subject Distance 1.12 m
Metering Mode Spot

[graciousness]

I think for this shot, both eyes needed to be sharp.

The very first thing I noticed is the softness of the focus on that left eye (camera left). My eye went for that eye, too, not only for the softness but because the light fell on that side of your eye/face and of course naturally, we are drawn to the lightest part of the image.

I do think that the whole image is soft, though. The right eye may seem to be sharper because there is more contrast there from the eye being in the shadow. But if I look at your whole face, it all seems soft to me.

Your neck, however, seems to be the sharpest part of the image.

I would have thought f/10 would have been enough, too, to get your whole face in focus? Perhaps you moved your head and caused the softness?

[Bruce A]

Yes, I think you nailed it Grace. Taking into account the shutter speed I'd say that's most like what happened. Thanks.

[Niresangwa]

I rather think the lack of sharpness has something to do with your ISO, in combination with the treacle-like shutter speed!

That said, I really like the tones in this...it's not often you see such rich shades of green on a shot like this, and I really dig it...

Also nice to put a face to a name too..

[autofocus]

Bruce, hope you don't mind, but I did an eye transplant plus a little high pass sharpening

[sk66]

Originally Posted by ccting

haha,, i wander if one can capture oneself pic much better with D4 with its communication capability... What do you think? I believe you can bring a laptop and put in front for WYSIWYG..

I love D4 as it looks like a computer for me..rather than merely a camera... "Connected" Camera.. rather than a independent device.

OMFG! Will you please STOP!?? As you've been told several times by Os, every Nikon since the D1 could be controlled by a laptop "remotely".
Go buy a D4 and be happy (but I suspect you would not be).

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I rather think the lack of sharpness has something to do with your ISO, in combination with the treacle-like shutter speed!

That said, I really like the tones in this...it's not often you see such rich shades of green on a shot like this, and I really dig it...

Also nice to put a face to a name too..

Thank you, I was using that ISO to maintain arounf f/10 without going slower on the shutter. Guess I should have gone around 1600. The green is reflected from the sunlit vegetation outside (I hope).

Originally Posted by ccting

haha,, i wander if one can capture oneself pic much better with D4 with its communication capability... What do you think? I believe you can bring a laptop and put in front for WYSIWYG..

I love D4 as it looks like a computer for me..rather than merely a camera... "Connected" Camera.. rather than a independent device.

Thanks, it can be done with the D700, D7000, D90 and maybe more models I'm not familiar with.

Originally Posted by autofocus

Bruce, hope you don't mind, but I did an eye transplant plus a little high pass sharpening

I'm coming to you instead of my opthamologist Doug
I don't mind at all - nice improvement, thank you. I had used a high pass sharpening in post also.

[sk66]

Bruce, I think it's a combination of mis-focus and movement. I don't think ISO had anything to do with it @ 800 on the D700.

I see a lot of weird color stuff going on with this image. Is it in sRGB? Even if it is, if it doesn't have the exif tag I might have issues on my MAC.

[sk66]

BTW, what was the shooting distance? 8ft? f/10 should have been plenty. @8ft f/10 would give you almost 2.5ft DOF. Even if you were at 5ft f/10 is still almost 1ft DOF. I don't think you needed to be at f/10 and could have used a faster SS.

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by sk66

BTW, what was the shooting distance? 8ft? f/10 should have been plenty. @8ft f/10 would give you almost 2.5ft DOF. Even if you were at 5ft f/10 is still almost 1ft DOF. I don't think you needed to be at f/10 and could have used a faster SS.

It's in the exif data: 1.2 mts. I have just had a reshoot, around the same distance, same ISO and still at f/10. Used a white reflector board this time and shot at little faster ss. I'll see if there's an improvement and post something if there is. Thanks.