Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Facebook!
 

Go Back   Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips > Photography Information > Photo Tips


Need advice on head shots/portraits

This is a discussion on Need advice on head shots/portraits within the Photo Tips forums, part of the Photography Information category; I might have an opportunity to shoot some informal outdoor portraits and head shots in the near future (will be ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  (#1) Old
You Can't Be Serious!!
 
JohnT's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,747
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Real First Name: John
Camera: 5DMkII, 7D, LX3
Can Others Edit My Photos: No
iTrader Rating: 24

Likes Received LIKES Received: 94
Likes Given LIKES Given: 348
Need advice on head shots/portraits - 05-05-2006, 04:11 PM


I might have an opportunity to shoot some informal outdoor portraits and head shots in the near future (will be a first). Probably my best lens for this is going to be the Canon 100mm f/2.8. I know I don't want to go too wide with the aperture, resulting in a focussed nose and OOF ears. What would be a good aperture range for shooting in this situation?

---------------------------
Everyone wants to be a rock star, but no one wants to learn the chords.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links

Premium Members do not see Google advertisements. SIGN UP today and help support our community.
  (#2) Old
Light Moderator
 
srwatters's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,926
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: West Plano, Texas
Real First Name: Scott
Camera: Nikon D3 & Hasselblad H2
Can Others Edit My Photos: No
iTrader Rating: 16

Likes Received LIKES Received: 44
Likes Given LIKES Given: 10
05-05-2006, 04:16 PM


Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnT
I might have an opportunity to shoot some informal outdoor portraits and head shots in the near future (will be a first). Probably my best lens for this is going to be the Canon 100mm f/2.8. I know I don't want to go too wide with the aperture, resulting in a focussed nose and OOF ears. What would be a good aperture range for shooting in this situation?
I tend to like f/5.6, but it all depends on how much flash vs. ambient light you'll be using. Use the DOF caculator to determine your depth of field (doh) given your camera body, focal length and working distance. Then adjust the aperture to get the desired DOF. I'd suggest 0.5 feet minimum if you want ears and nose in focus along with the eyes which is the most important feature AFAIC.

---------------------------
Scott Watters
PoloDigital | Flickr | Pbase
Nikon | Hasselblad | Phase One | Hensel | Apple
Reply With Quote
  (#3) Old
You Can't Be Serious!!
 
JohnT's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,747
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Real First Name: John
Camera: 5DMkII, 7D, LX3
Can Others Edit My Photos: No
iTrader Rating: 24

Likes Received LIKES Received: 94
Likes Given LIKES Given: 348
05-05-2006, 04:43 PM


Thanks, Scott. I'm planning to use available light as much as possible, shooting during the PM golden hour. I will use flash, however, if absolutely necessary.

I think I'll practice on my teenage son before the actual shoot. He just loves being my "guinea pig."

---------------------------
Everyone wants to be a rock star, but no one wants to learn the chords.

Last edited by JohnT; 05-05-2006 at 04:47 PM..
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
advice, head, shots or portraits

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Visit Our Sponsors
 

Google Sponsors

Premium Members do not see Google advertisements. SIGN UP today and help support our community.

Copyright ©2004 - 2011, Abel Longoria - www.Pixtus.com
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.