How to focus for self-portrait?

[nategesner]

I've taken a few self-portraits and they're decent, but I have a hard time getting sharp focus with a short DoF. If I use the auto-focus, with or without face recognition, it's still hit-or-miss as to whether my eyes are in focus or if it grabs onto an ear, shirt, my bald head, etc. I have utilized stand-in objects, but the difficulty with that is I don't know exactly where my face will be once I jump into the frame and the camera might be focused on the wrong spot again.

My question is: how do you focus when taking self portraits? I appreciate any hints/tips you can provide me.

[OeterB]

Well, for me, it is part measured, part guess.

I tend to, if I can, use my lightstand as a replacement 'me'. I bring it up so the silver tip is level with where my eyes are, and focus on the tip -- I find it a great thing, as it's not big, and the silver reflects plenty of light so even in dark environments the camera focuses on it easily.

I mark the spot so I know where to stand, and set up whatever else (i.e. most cases, the actual lights on the lightstand I just used as a fill in). I then set my camera to take a burst of 5-10 photos, and move my head ever slightly back and forth to hit the sweet spot. And, on most ocassions, I only need those 5-10 photos to get one with the right focus.

[nategesner]

Thanks for the response. Although I didn't find an exact answer for my question via a search of the forum, I did learn that I'm probably using too large of an aperture. I thought portraits should be taken at the widest aperture, shortest DoF. But after reading some other threads, this isn't always the case and each lens can be different.

I tend to work with my lens wide open in an attempt to blur the background and my my primary object stand out. This is probably why I'm not getting the sharp images I'm seeking. I'll experiment with different aperture settings and see if this helps. I imagine a longer DoF would not only improve sharpness in general but it will make it easier for my main object to be in focus.

[OeterB]

Well, you can make your app slightly higher, but keep the background blurred. Or, you know, make your background interesting in itself. But an app of about 2.5-3.2 will keep the background blurred slightly, but make your DOF a bit more manageable with self-portrait focusing.

[mrdale]

An old school method is to use a string/cord/chain to set distance. Attach one end to the camera (or tripod), place the other end on your nose. Use a stand-in first to ascertain distance then cut string to length. Save the string, next time attach to the same spot on camera and you will have focus. I remember this from grade school era portraits.

dale

[nategesner]

Oeter B: the reason for blurring background is that I'm attempting indoor self-portraits with solid-print backdrops. Outdoors I would always shoot for an interesting background, even if blurring.

Dale, thanks for the tip! If I don't fix things with an aperture adjustment, I'll give the old-school string a try.

[inkista]

I like using a remote and a half press to focus the camera.

[kjonnnn]

Originally Posted by nategesner

I've taken a few self-portraits and they're decent, but I have a hard time getting sharp focus with a short DoF. If I use the auto-focus, with or without face recognition, it's still hit-or-miss as to whether my eyes are in focus or if it grabs onto an ear, shirt, my bald head, etc. I have utilized stand-in objects, but the difficulty with that is I don't know exactly where my face will be once I jump into the frame and the camera might be focused on the wrong spot again.

My question is: how do you focus when taking self portraits? I appreciate any hints/tips you can provide me.

I wonder what or why they changed the autofocus technology. With my Canon 10s film camera, and using the timer, the focus and exposure wasnt taken when you pressed the shutter to start the timer, it was taken at the end of the timer setting, right before the shutter oepned. You had to time to get in position. They seemed to have changed that with the digital cameras.

[candidrachel]

The remote is definately the easiest way. There is alot of trial and error to get the face in the right place. My avatar is a self-portrait.