SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I've had this problem for quite a while and am not sure what to do about it. I can get tack sharp facial focus when shooting in natural light but indoors it's soft - any suggestions on how I can improve? I think part of the focus problem might be a too slow SS, but then I'd have to up the ISO and end up with more noise.

I'm including two images I recently took - they were both done with SS 1/50, f/6.3, ISO 1000, and 44mm. The second was done with a bit of fill flash (not full power) - the focus is a bit better but the color is totally off, even with tinkering, plus there is an irritating shadow on the wall.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

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bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I certainly don't know that camera and lens. I'm commenting mostly to boost the odds that others will add to the topic.

The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 may be a bit of an outdoor, telephoto optimized lens. Shooting wide at f/6.3 indoors it is just not collecting enough light for the sensor to work with.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

If you are on manual, you need to adjust the white balance if you intend to use flash.

As for the soft focus, are you spot focusing?
With f6.3 at 44mm (and, guessing, 6ft away from subject, your DOF is about 9in...which means the face will be soft if the jacket is the focus point.

Make sure you are focusing in spot mode right on the eye.

What camera and lens? That combo may not be able to give you the results you are hoping in low light from a resolving ability as well as AF accuracy. Try manual in liveview to ensure tou sre truly focused.

The shadow....other than off camera flash, you just need to move the subject further away from the background to let the light falloff....in this case not an option....lowering the power, increase the aperature as wide open as possible and make sure you are focused.

Its just a start for some ideas....

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just a couple of comments. First, I’m surprised that the fill flash is that much warmer than the natural light from the window - you should be able to correct the WB in post. Second, it looks to me as if the camera is not focusing on the subject’s face - perhaps it’s focusing on something closer to the center of the frame (the wooden carving on the pew looks sharper). I’d suggest single point AF, focus on the eyes, and then recompose. Third, I’m surprised that the noise is that high at ISO 1000. If you can’t lower the ISO, I’d use some noise reduction in post. Forth, I’d bounce the flash or use a diffuser to avoid the shadow on the wall. Finally, i’d Probably shoot a bit faster - maybe 1/100 - 1/125 if the lens is not stabilized, and increase the aperture to better isolate the subject. Maybe try 1/100, f4 and ISO 500 and manually set the WB with either a white card or a Passport Color checker. Disclaimer: i’m not a skilled portrait photographer, and there are those much more knowledgable on the forum that can provide more professional advice - just my initial impressions.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Sorry, I forgot to add that I was using a D7500/Tamron 18-400 combo, but I had the same problem with my previous D7200/Nikkor 18-300. Also, concerning the shadow, the wall was about 20' away. I usually have white balance set on auto and rarely think to change it to inside light - a bad habit, probably. I always try to focus on the eyes and did in this case as well.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I did focus on the eyes and then recomposed and am surprised that the focus is good on both his clothes and the pew. Maybe I can get Liam to wear his Doctor Who outfit again in a couple weeks and give it another try.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

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gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Focusing algorithms are geared towards the closest thing and contrasty subjects. That's why spot focus is so critical with faces. The jacket and tennis shoe look pretty sharp. The face is behind the shallow plane of focus.

Joe Blow

The color difference is because the natural light is also reflecting the surroundings. The stained glass windows, walls, overhead lighting, and shiny brown pews will all effect the final color. What our eyes automatically adjust to as normal, the camera captures and shows as an off color.

Using the flash should automatically change the WB to flash mode. That causes the camera to adjust to a warmer color.
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To remove the shadow requires one of two things. Move the subject much further from the wall will help if you use the camera flash. The other is to use a detachable flash with a bounce card and angle the flash up at a 45-60 degree angle.
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The softness could be caused by several things. I would suggest you increase your shutter speed and try using a larger aperture. Most DSLRs have a maximum shutter of 200 or 250 with a flash. That can reduce any camera shake. Although, flash photography usually uses the smallest aperture available, generating a lot of very shallow DOF. This is because most flash photography is centered on the subject the camera focuses on. Being too close can leave a very short DOF.

Good luck.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Love the pose and placement of the subject.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Neither image is tack sharp. I think you have a touch of camera shake. Need a faster shutter speed. or a tripod with a shutter release.

coj Loc: NJ, USA

With that gear you should be getting a better image. The only thing I notice immediately is that the pew is in sharp focus, not the face. This goes to your settings, shooting Manual or Auto? If you are shooting auto the camera will focus on the closest points it can find, which is not the face. Spot metering and focus or matrix? I would try resetting my menu to single point focus and spot metering, and shoot manual. Then focus on the eye and see if there is a difference. Also make sure to adjust the spot of your single point focus with the toggle, so it goes over the face. If that doesn't work I would wonder if you are experiencing front focus, and if so can micro adjusting be made. Also try increasing your ISO to give you a faster shutter speed, so you don't get any camera shake. Personally I don't think you have any shake, or else the whole photo would be a little blurry, and that is not the case, as certain parts are in focus. Other than that, I have no clue. Good luck with this, and if you find the answer, let us know!!