photo editing, tutorials
DSLR Camera Focus Tips – f1.2, Portraits & Movement
Welcome to our blog about DSLR Camera Focus Tips, where we will explore the fascinating world of f1.2, portraits, and movement. Here, we will delve into the art of capturing stunning images with shallow depths of field using wide aperture lenses. Whether you are a professional photographer seeking to upgrade your skills or an enthusiast looking to improve your portrait photography, this blog will provide valuable insights, techniques, and advice to help you master the intricate art of camera focus. From understanding the importance of selecting the right aperture to capturing captivating portraits with precision, we will cover it all. Get ready to unlock the potential of your DSLR and capture breathtaking moments with unmatched clarity.
DSLR Camera Focus Tips – f1.2, Portraits & Movement
Hey everyone in today’s video I want to share with you how I focus when I’m photographing portraits and movement with a shallow depth of field so my sister has very kindly agreed to be our model today for this video her name is Georgina hey and this is Such a highly requested video from you guys so I really hope you enjoy it and I hope you learn something jumping straight into it today I’m using my Canon 5d Mark 3 and my Canon 50mm 1.2 lens and the settings I like to use with autofocus is one shot and this is Because I like to have as much control over my photos as possible I use my camera and complete manual moves so I always change my settings manually my white balance manually and I want the same thing to go for my Fergus one shot focusing mode is basically when you half Press the shutter down to lock in the kruger and then you can move your camera around and the focus won’t change until you release the shutter a different focusing method is using server modes where the camera will track focus of a subject for you however as I mentioned I Don’t really like using this as I prefer to have full control over what my camera is focusing on so with the server modes if you have press you shut it down it will continuously still focus on your moving subject rather than locking it off and I just find that it can be a Little bit inaccurate sometimes so I prefer using one shot I’m not saying that this is the right or wrong way to shoot this is personally what works best for me and the style of photos that I take if you haven’t already I would definitely suggest for you to try out All the different focusing modes there are to see what works best for you and your style
Focusing for Portraits
I’m gonna start off by showing you guys how I focus with a simple portrait so I’m gonna get my sister to stand in the sunlight and we’re gonna go from this so let’s go Can I get you to stay I currently have my camera settings my shutter is at 1-over mm my optic is at 1.2 and my ISO is just at a hundred so what I like to do when I’m focusing is use the grid by pressing the grid button Back here and selecting the focus point that’s closest to my model’s eyes or face so I’m just gonna do that here so in order to get a shot in focus I like to half press my shut it down to lock it in and then I take a fritter once I know It’s in I don’t like using the back button focus for me personally I feel like a kind of waste time I just prefer hot pressing the shut it down to lock in the circus Okay so when I’m taking a photo and the focus point doesn’t quite reach my subjects face I like to focus the Twitter pull it down my shuttle and then recompose the shot before I take a fritter and this causes the face to be in focus even if the focus point isn’t Right on the face when you’re focusing and recomposing it’s really important to keep in mind not to keep your focal distance too far away from your subjects face as you recompose tilting the lens actually closes the fergus point to shift and that could cause your portraits to become out of focus this Especially happens on a lens such as the 85mm 1.2 that has an extremely shallow depth of field so any tiny bit of tilting or moving back and forth can cause a photo to become completely out of focus so another tip that I have for nailing focus is to pre focus your shot Before you give your instructions to your subject so basically that means that instead of having your camera already focused at infinity at the landscape of something is to already take a couple of shots of your subject okay just think you know that the focus is right there where you need it and Then as you’re taking photos you give things the instructions of what you want them to do and basically that ensures that you’re ready to capture the moment as it happens rather than missing it and getting it to happen again and then maybe Wimpy’s their natural next time When you’re photographing a subject in a backlit situation such as we are now sometimes you might find that your camera might have trouble focusing this is basically because when you’re shooting backlit you’ve got a lot of fun streaming into your lens which causes it to kind of wash out with light the Autofocus needs a point of contrast in order to be able to capture that fergus so basically what I like to do is maybe focus somewhere where the hair meets the face that’s like a dock to light combination or as well as maybe the eyebrows or the lips just somewhere That’s very contrasty that the camera will be able to capture another tip if you’re struggling to get sharp portress is to just bring your aperture up and as you practice slowly make your way down until you feel confident shooting at an aperture of 1.2
Focusing for Movement
so now I want to move on To showing you guys how I focus when I do movement portraits with a model I just switched to my Canon 35 mil 1.4 and the reason I like to shoot movement fritters on my 35 is because it’s the fastest lens that I have in my kit it’s Also a wide-angle lens which means that the focal length is less shallow than something compared to the 85 mill which is a telephoto lens and that very shallow depth of field on an 85 makes it extremely difficult to get a shot or to get lots of shots in focus when you’re Doing movement so I’m gonna get my sister to run around and I’m gonna start shooting and my first tip when shooting movement is to try and keep the same distance away from your subject as they’re moving around so if they walk away from you you need to walk with them And if they walk toward you you need to walk backwards basically instead of the lens having to focus on something far away and then something close up and continuously shift focus it’s kind of staying in the same vertical range since you’re keeping the same distance away from yourself to the model that’s gonna Help keep your movement shots more accurately focused while you’re shooting another thing that I like to do is constantly half press my shut it down while I’m shooting and I don’t always take a fritter when I have friend sit down sometimes I’ll have press it down a Few times and then take the shot and sometimes they’ll take lots of burgers so yeah let’s go shoot so another reason why I like to use one shot when I’m doing movement fritters because when you have Fritz you shut it down to luck in the fergus sometimes I like to take a Lot of Firdous I wonder without completely letting go of my shuttle so without completely letting it go the focus stays locked so when I’m keeping the same distance away from my model I can take a lot more photos and they’ll be shot another thing to remember when capturing movement photos is that the Subject space is the most important part of the image at least it is in my style of photography and what I want to achieve usually I love to focus on the eyes or the face of my subject and if that’s in focus then nothing else in the photo Really metas and it’ll all come together because your subjects face is shop so when it comes…
FAQ: DSLR Camera Focus Tips – f1.2, Portraits & Movement
Q: What is f1.2 aperture in DSLR cameras?
A: In DSLR cameras, the aperture refers to the size of the opening through which light passes. An f1.2 aperture is a wide aperture setting that allows a significant amount of light to enter the camera lens, resulting in a shallow depth of field. This wider aperture is ideal for achieving beautifully blurred backgrounds in portraits or low-light situations.
Q: How can I utilize f1.2 aperture for portraits?
A: When shooting portraits with an f1.2 aperture, make sure to set your camera to aperture priority mode (A or Av mode) or manual mode (M). Choose a single focus point to ensure pinpoint accuracy. To create a professional-looking portrait, focus accurately on the subject’s eyes while allowing the background to remain softly blurred. This technique highlights the subject and adds a pleasing bokeh effect to the image.
Q: Is it challenging to achieve a sharp focus at f1.2?
A: Achieving a sharp focus at f1.2 can be challenging since the depth of field is extremely narrow. It requires precision and practice to obtain accurate focus on the desired subject. Using a tripod or image stabilization can prove helpful, especially when dealing with subjects in motion. Additionally, utilizing the camera’s focus peaking or focus assist features can improve accuracy while manual focusing.
Q: Can I use f1.2 aperture for capturing movement?
A: While f1.2 aperture is primarily known for its applications in portraits, it can also be used creatively to capture movement. When photographing moving subjects, such as dancers or sports activities, an f1.2 aperture can help isolate the subject from the background, creating a striking sense of motion. However, it’s important to note that achieving sharp focus on a moving subject with such a wide aperture can be more challenging, so practice and experimentation are key.
Q: Any additional tips for utilizing f1.2 aperture effectively?
A: Here are some additional tips to enhance your use of f1.2 aperture:
- Experiment with different distances between the subject and the camera to control the depth of field and achieve desired focus effects.
- Consider using manual mode and spot metering to have greater control over exposure in challenging lighting conditions.
- Take test shots and review them on a larger screen to check for accurate focus.
- When shooting groups of people, ensure that all subjects are on the same focal plane to have them all in focus.
- Practice and experiment to develop your own unique style using the f1.2 aperture setting.
I hope you find useful my article DSLR Camera Focus Tips – f1.2, Portraits & Movement, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.
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