cony25

I have taken some pics using the portrait mode on a canon d60,, some have a blurred backgroundand some don't, I need consistency,, why would the camera not be consistent in blurring the backgrounds?

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Without seeing your photos, I am guessing it has to do with the distances between your subject and the background. Your lens has a fixed depth of field and doesnt know where you place your subject. So, you see, your lens/camera is giving you ABSOLUTE consistency. Its the photographer who's the inconsistency.

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

The camera isn't making a choice to blur the back ground. Sometimes it's using a wider aperture, which makes the width of what's in focus narrower, sometimes it's choosing a narrow aperture and making the focal depth of field deeper.

Switch at least to aperture priority, to take control of this.

Big numbers mean more will be in focus, small numbers mean less will be in focus.

cony25

LOL,,,,ok, so how can I be consistent?

cony25

Ok, I see,, so go to av mode, then set the f stop on 20 or so? Let's say its bright daylight outside around 1 pm

MPratter Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

You need to take control of your aperture setting. A mode called "aperture priority" will do this while calculating shutter speeds for you. Then select wide or small aperture based on whether you want lots of depth in focus, or if you want shallow focus.

Big numbers = small aperture = deep focus & slower shutter speeds

Small numbers = large aperture = shallow focus & faster shutter speeds

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

NO..use f5.6..and zoom zoom

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

[quote=MPratter]



Big numbers = small aperture = deep focus & slower shutter speeds

And, invest in a tripod for these settings.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Use Manual. Take control of your camera and you will start getting the results you want.

arthur Baum

the camera will focus on the first thing it sees if it's within the focusing range. that is, the nearest thing to the camera.

however, holding the shutter button half-way down (when you have focused your way) should get you the pic you want.

art

KathyinNH Loc: Kingston, NH

If you are shooting around 1 pm in bright daylight be sure to place your model in the shade as mid day is the worst time to shoot outdoors in the sun as it creates harsh shadows. Preferable shoot early in the morning or late afternoon.

Good luck, you'll get it eventually. Just keep shooting and learning.

Drmgoblue Loc: Indianapolis

Agree that for almost all situations if I want maximum control of DOF I use aperture priority. (I use it 85% of the time). The scene modes such as portrait exposes the image to too many variables as mentioned before. Set you camera to AP, use the lowest f stop your lens allows, and get the subject a little farther away from the background (if possible). :)

anotherview Loc: California

These two Web sites may help answer your question as to controlling DOF:

Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/

The SLR Camera Simulator: http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html

Good luck.

alaskanfrog Loc: Alaska

I find that the best way to achieve a blurred background consistently, is to set your camera in portrait mode. The next step is to step up your camera lens to a longer one and move away from the standard lens. Next, move your camera back away from your subject about 5-7 feet more than you normally would place it. Then, set and frame your shot of the portrait you want. Your subject/subjects should have more than adequate clearance behind them, but should also have a background that provides a pleasing setting for your shot.

Believe it or not I use my 70-300 telephoto zoom lens to capture most of my portrait shots. I'm usually about 8-10 feet away from them when I shoot. The images are amazing with my subject in sharp focus and the background with a very blurred but nice setting. The trick to getting it just right is to have your shutter speed and f-stop set correctly and may require a little bit of experimenting before making your shot. I would recommend doing some experimenting and testing before you attempt a portrait shot.

When doing portrait shots I actually set my camera to "Full Manual" mode. This way I have full and complete control over what the camera does and how it responds. I actually prefer using manual for most of my photography, but I use my auto focus to assist with focusing my lens. I'm getting older and my eyes need help now and again when focusing. I'll upload some examples in a few minutes.

James, Anchorage Alaska

alaskanfrog Loc: Alaska

Here are some examples of some portrait photography using a longer lens... the camera was set to manual mode. The ISO was set to 800, the focal length 40, the f-opening was set at 10 and shutter speed was 1/60th of a second. It was a bright sunny day, so the background is slightly blown out, but adds to the dramatic effect of the artist at work. The artist is "Haida Carver, T.J. Young" from Haidaburg Alaska.

The portraits of Inga and Marcella were taken at different times. Marcella was photographed indoors with a plate glass window in the background. The portrait of Inga was actually taken about 2 years ago. The shot of TJ was taken last summer at my former workplace.

artist at work... TJ Young, Haida Totem Carver


Inga... (a close personal friend of many years)


Marcella... (a former coworker and friend)