Photographing couples - AF question

[megkunert]

Hi everyone!
I'm somewhat new to the photography world. I've been using a DSLR since last April. I bought a Nikon D40 but recently traded it in for a D5000. I shoot with a 35mm f/1.8 and next week I'll be renting an 85mm f/1.4. I'm getting my hands into portrait photography, and I need some help.

I'm doing pictures for a married couple next week. We'll be outside and it will likely be partly cloudy or possibly overcast. Anyway, I JUST got my D5000 yesterday and I'm still trying to get used to the 11 point AF system. It's such a dramatic change from the 3 point AF system that was on my D40.

Anyway, questions.

What would be the best autofocus mode (AF-A, AF-S, AF-C?), and autofocus area mode setting for this type of photography - IE, more than one person? How do I achieve a shallow DOF while focusing on TWO people? Also, what type of metering would you use? I am so used to shooting only one person, or shooting macro, and using single point focus and spot metering.

Thanks in advance for the tips.
MAJOR newbie here, if ya couldn't tell!

Meg

[crisinmardel]

Hi I ALWAYS shoot in AF-S single point and spot metering, when i got my D5000, last year and shot with the default, 11 point focus metering system, I got tired of almost always getting images with the focus on something other than what my intention was, a bottle instead of the the couple behind it or a something else etc., then I read in some site about single spot focusing and spot metering, and ever since I shoot in this mode, usually I focus on my point of interest then hold on and then recompose the shot, -a couple of days ago I thought I´d try the old 11pt. sys, and like before, i got images focused in other spots other than what I desired, so...back to the single spot...recently i bought a Sigma 17-70mm f2,8-4 macros HSM OS lens and i´m pleased with the results. soon i´ll post some images..hope this helps..

[megkunert]

Originally Posted by crisinmardel

Hi I ALWAYS shoot in AF-S single point and spot metering, when i got my D5000, last year and shot with the default, 11 point focus metering system, I got tired of almost always getting images with the focus on something other than what my intention was, a bottle instead of the the couple behind it or a something else etc., then I read in some site about single spot focusing and spot metering, and ever since I shoot in this mode, usually I focus on my point of interest then hold on and then recompose the shot, -a couple of days ago I thought I´d try the old 11pt. sys, and like before, i got images focused in other spots other than what I desired, so...back to the single spot...recently i bought a Sigma 17-70mm f2,8-4 macros HSM OS lens and i´m pleased with the results. soon i´ll post some images..hope this helps..

Thank you for your input! I am worried with single point and spot metering - when shooting couples - that I will only focus on one person. Where should the focus point be? If I choose to focus on person A, wouldn't person B be out of focus? Or should I choose a focus point that's of equal distance between person A and person B? I am afraid if I shoot single point, that the camera won't focus on the two faces. And with a larger aperture, sometimes I have problems with not getting the FULL face to focus. Sometimes when photographing someone (like an infant or toddler), it will get their face in focus, but towards the outside of the face near the hairline, it will start to blur really bad. That's the only problem I have with using a large aperture.

Any suggestions?

[zona5101]

yup another vote for AF-S and spot metering - but the camera is just a machine so you may need to override the meter or may need to put the lens in manual focus to get exactly what you want.

[Eileen D]

Also the focus will also depend on the set-up you plan for the couple. If they are on the same plane, you'll have less of a problem with depth of field. If one is closer to the camera, then you will need to adjust your settings to keep both of them in sharp focus. Perhaps a bit of practice beforehand with a couple of volunteers so that you have some idea about the possible poses and the changes in settings needed to get the effects you have in mind? If you try some practice shots with whoever you can round up, consider posting an image or two here for critique so that if there are problems, you can get some help before the shoot.

[BexJarratt]

I'm a noob too. I would suggest looking up one of the depth of field calculators on-line. It will give you an idea of how far from your subject you want to be/ how far you can push the aperture and still be sure the whole of the couples two faces are in focus. Wide aperture + close subject = very small dof, wide aperture but further away = more depth in focus. And to ensure that your couple stand out from the background ( to capture the dreamy bokeh) make sure the background is far behind the couple.

[autofocus]

Definitely AF-S. AF-C will allow you to take the shot even before focus locks in, so you don't want to use that setting. Metering will really matter on your lighting...spot and center weighted are both good for portraits with front or side lighting. Spot metering good for back lit subjects.(also consider a little fill flash or reflrctor for back lit shots) Unless your subjects are perfectly aligned next to each other forget about shallow DOF. Remember, it's not only the f/stop that determines DOF, it's also how close you are to the subjects. The closer you are the thinner the DOF will be. I always suggest focusing on the person nearest to the camera because you have 2/3's more acceptable focus behind the subject than what you have in front of your subject. Lastly, make sure you choose your focus point..don't let the camera pick it for you, and always on a subject's eye(s)

[megkunert]

This is all very helpful information. Thank you all so much! To give you more information, the forecast for the shoot will likely be partly cloudy or possibly overcast (outside, natural light). My main question is choosing an AF point - I know that when there is one person, you always focus on the eyes. But if there are two people sitting side by side, where should I focus?

@BexJarratt - I was reading some other posts here on the forum about AF points and DOF and I looked at a couple of online DOF calculators, and they didn't really make a whole lot of sense to me. For example, on this website: Online Depth of Field Calculator, it asks for the "subject distance" - I don't really know how far away I will be from the couple until I get them in front of me, so I guestimated about 10 feet... (btw, I'm using a Nikon D5000 with an 85mm f/1.4... although I probably won't shoot wide, but closer to 2.8 maybe)... the results were confusing to me, I guess because I am not familiar with the terminology? These are the results I got...


Subject distance: 10 ft

Depth of field
Near limit: 9.77 ft
Far limit: 10.2 ft
Total: 0.46 ft

In front of subject: 0.23 ft (49%)
Behind subject: 0.24 ft (51%)

Hyperfocal distance: 419.3 ft
Circle of confusion: 0.02 mm

If anyone could help translate this into "noob" terminology, I would be grateful.

Thanks again for everyones continued help.
I'll get there - eventually!

[autofocus]

But if there are two people sitting side by side, where should I focus?

ahh, did you read my post above??

Nikon D5000 with an 85mm f/1.4... although I probably won't shoot wide, but closer to 2.8 maybe

I guess you missed everything I said above??..Be prepared to have one of your subjects soft then. The 85mm will inherently have less DOF on it's own

[megkunert]

Originally Posted by autofocus

ahh, did you read my post above??

I guess you missed everything I said above??..Be prepared to have one of your subjects soft then. The 85mm will inherently have less DOF on it's own

You think I could shoot with a higher aperture then? Or do you think I can still go with the 1.4 since the 85mm with have DOF on it's own? Sorry, I guess I am a little confused. Also, with a single AF point... if the subjects are sitting directly next to each other or are standing right in front of each other, where would you choose the AF point? Or would you not suggest the subjects pose right next to each other?