Self-Portrait focusing

[MyHeadExploded]

Apologies if there is already a post similar to this, or if it is in the wrong section.


I have been attempting to practise self-portrait shots all afternoon today using my new 50mm 1.8g lens for my Nikon D3100, however I am having a lot of trouble keeping myself in decent focus.

My technique has consisted of using a marker to auto-focus on, switching to manual focus, pressing the (timed) shutter then taking my place. However I never seem to get the focus just right, particularly at such a wide aperture where depth of field is sensitive.

I assume a shutter remote would be very useful in this situation, unfortunately I don't yet own one.

As a relative beginner to something like this I have no idea if this technique is sound or incredibly stupid.

I'd appreciate any tips on how to improve my focusing or any advice on what I'm doing wrong, thank you

[inkista]

As you guessed, most of us would use a remote or a cable release, because with it we can then activate the shutter half-press while in front of the camera. Makes life a whole lot easier.

You could try stopping down to increase your depth of field. The lens doesn't HAVE to be wide open to blur out the background. Stopping down your aperture to f/2.8 or f/4 might give you a larger target to hit and still blur the background sufficiently.

You could also manually focus using the distance scale on the lens, and measuring or guesstimating the distance to yourself. But this can be frustrating, given how small the scale is, and how little accuracy you really get over manual focusing with an autofocus lens.

You could also try and use some sort of prop where you're going to be sitting, and focusing on that.

[scootermcq]

I have used a light stand for where I will stand and focus on that using auto focus, then put in on manual and put yourself in place of the stand. You can also take the camera to where you will be standing and foucs on the tripod you will mount the camera on. Then put it back and shoot.

[MyHeadExploded]

Thanks very much folks, I'll give these techniques a go! I haven't even taken my camera off 1.8 since I got the lens, so I probably should start experimenting with it thoroughly. I'll be investing in a shutter release cable soon though.

Thanks for reading and responding!

[wulf]

Just because you can go to f/1.8 doesn't mean you have to. Even if you are in a fairly low light setting, you are probably better off making the shutter speed slower (stand very still!) or pushing the ISO up a bit before you open the lens right up.

As another trick, try standing a bit further away. DoF increases not only as you stop down to smaller apertures (ie. bigger numbers, like f/4 or f/5.6) but also as you focus at points further away. Don't be afraid to crop in a bit to get a good final composition and you will take a bit more of the pressure off.

Wulf

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by MyHeadExploded

I haven't even taken my camera off 1.8 since I got the lens, so I probably should start experimenting with it thoroughly.

That lens really comes alive after f3.5, so you still don't even know how sharp it can be. At f1.8 it makes usable images, but at f3.5 and up.... wow.... now you start to see how sharp it can be...