Best settings for portrait photo

[Carl911]

I have a Canon 40D and I'm in minds as to what is the best setting for two particular functions.
Firstly AF Points:-
Is it better left in Auto so the camera selects the best one of the nine or would I be more accurate selecting say just the one centre point?
Secondly,which is best:-
Evaluative metering
Partial metering
Spot metering
Centre-weighted metering?

Thanks in advance..

[photomom2008]

Originally Posted by Carl911

I have a Canon 40D and I'm in minds as to what is the best setting for two particular functions.
Firstly AF Points:-
Is it better left in Auto so the camera selects the best one of the nine or would I be more accurate selecting say just the one centre point?
Secondly,which is best:-
Evaluative metering
Partial metering
Spot metering
Centre-weighted metering?

Thanks in advance..

By no means am I an expert on this, but I have found that spot metering is best and choose one of your nine focal points yourself and focus on the eye for a portrait. I was letting the camera pic also and could not get the sharp eye picture, and then was told to use spot metering and pic my focus. It works much better. Hope this helps.

[autofocus]

Is it better left in Auto so the camera selects the best one of the nine NO or would I be more accurate selecting say just the one centre point? YES
providing you focus on the eyes...better yet, compose your shot, and then dial in the focus point with one of those nine onto the eyes
Secondly,which is best:- Really conditional with your lighting conditions, really can't say which is best in all circumstances
Evaluative metering - when not sure, probably can't go too wrong with this
Partial metering
Spot metering - Best for back lighting, but if you meter off a dark eye you may wind up with an over exposed image
Centre-weighted metering? - this could be good for group shots

[kencaleno]

AS for metering:

Matrix/evaluative for general photograohy,where you have a good range of tones
Centre-weighted has always been used by pro portrait photogs
Spot for when dynamic range is greater than cameras capability to capture Ken