Focus question

[kimspics]

When I take a group ( more than Two) picture I most always have a problem with getting everyones eyes in focus..this is very frustrating because I'm not sure what to do. Any advice or how to get everyone in focus when taking group shots ?????? thanks ya'll

[BigFuzzy]

Showing us an example, with Exif info, we would probably be able to tell you almost immediately what the problem is.

Having said that, I'm going to guess that it's an issue of you using a shallow Depth of Field and the people being at different focal planes which would mean some fall outside the DoF your settings are set to.

Again, without an example, any guess from us is just that.. a guess.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Showing us an example, with Exif info, we would probably be able to tell you almost immediately what the problem is.

Having said that, I'm going to guess that it's an issue of you using a shallow Depth of Field and the people being at different focal planes which would mean some fall outside the DoF your settings are set to.

Again, without an example, any guess from us is just that.. a guess.

^^ What he said.

[JFSanders]

Originally Posted by kimspics

When I take a group ( more than Two) picture I most always have a problem with getting everyones eyes in focus..this is very frustrating because I'm not sure what to do. Any advice or how to get everyone in focus when taking group shots ?????? thanks ya'll

Group photography


But the two biggest issues are focal length and DOF. Go wide enough to get clear of the edges of the lens this will help with sharpness. Go small enough with the aperture so the Depth of field is large enough to cover the depth you need to keep focus from front to back.

Jim

[Biomech]

I see you have an f/1.4, so I'm going to go with what the fuzzy one said. If you're at 1.4, you wont have much room to play with.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Biomech

I see you have an f/1.4, so I'm going to go with what the fuzzy one said. If you're at 1.4, you wont have much room to play with.

Yup.......that's the problem.

[NicolaB]

Yep - what they said.

To be safe, I normally shoot no lower than 2.8 or 3.2 and then add one stop for each person depth wise.