Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

This is the situation: I'm taking a picture of three people sitting in a field of leaves. I want a shallow DOF, but the same time all three people in focus. Can I use a f2.8 aperture and still get all three people in focus? Would using several of my focusing squares help?

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking you'd have to have everyone side by side to get them all in focus.

Also, you'd have more trouble getting them all in focus at 100 2.8 than at 35 2.8.

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

This is dependant on the lens you are using and your distance from the subject. Your best bet is to get a depth of field(DOF) app for your phone or computer and enter your lens length and your distance from the subject. It will give you the depth of field. Make sure your subject is within that range. Good luck.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I think I would start around 4.5 but if it is a planned portrait you could take a photograph and then check it to see how your focus turned out. If not what you want take another with a different f stop to suit your needs. Obviously this is not always possible but in your case it may be.

Dennis

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Go here:
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Enter your camera and lens combination and the calculator will tell you your EXACT DOF at any aperture, that way you will know ahead of time if they will be in focus or not. Also, use the DOF Preview button on your camera, outdoors in good light it actually works quite well to preview the DOF.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Tracy,

There are way too many variables involved to provide you with a good answer.
Example: Lens focal length, distance between subjects and camera, separation between subjects, and camera make and model.

Check out the link below and try some variables.
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

If all the subjects will be sitting "cheek to cheek" you will not have to worry much about the angle off set from center focus. (If your distance from camera film plain to center subject is 20 feet and the outside subjects are 5 feet apart the angle offset will cause an error in your DOF calculations. The two outer subjects will be slightly farther away from the camera than the center subject).

Using multiple focus points is not a good idea, the camera will try to average all the focus points and provide an out of focus image. If you have three subjects and all are sitting 3 feet apart the camera will focus on the center point, two of the outer subjects, and all of the background. It will become a wild guess on the cameras' part to which focus point is used for image capture.
Your best bet is to use Center Spot Focus and set focus lock on the subject in the center.

Keep in mind that along with DOF you also have HFR (Hyper Focal Range) to help you get all subjects in sharp focus and allow the background to fade into soft focus.

At any Aperture value you will have a set DOF, within that DOF you will have a set number of feet behind the subject in acceptable focus and a set number of feet in front of the subject. A general rule says 1/3 in front, and 2/3 behind the subject.
HFR allows you to set the focus on the central subject (on the eyes) and switch to manual focus and adjust the focus ring to bring the soft focused background to just behind the head of the central subject, it also allows you to keep all of the outer subjects in sharp focus while paying attention to the background for all the subjects.

This is artistic control over the capture and can be used in reverse to adjust the foreground where required.

Michael G

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Getting folks in focus involves two things;

1.) An adequate depth of field

2.) The folks "reasonably" parallel to the sensor plane.


Depth of field is a product of distance to subject, and aperture size.

You have to figure out what aperture to use and distance to be at to have them in focus.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Wow! Thanks so much for all your answers. I've learned so much. I took some pretty good pictures yesterday of my family. But, I think it was luck. I will use that DOF calculator for sure from now on.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

They pretty much covered it

Stage Light Loc: Northeast

You can get all the eyes all in the same plane, same distance from the camera or cheat and use post. Set the people up the way you would like making sure their heads do not over lap each other. Take shots of the group focusing on the eyes of each person in the group for each exposure. With the leaves in the background and not too much change in the group position it will be easy to pick the best overall photo. Then pick the best focused heads and overlay as you would like. No fair switching heads.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Strategy is in order, make sure the background is farther away by adjusting your perspective. Figure where the center point in your group is, and hit preview to see what you'll get. Take a test shot and look at farthest set of eyes and then closest! Adjust aperture as necessary.

Focusing squares will average the focal distance, I'd use a point focus single dot, switch to manual, set on a tripod so your changes can be incremental and consistent. Use a release with your head up and watch the people for just the right time. But that is me. ;)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What camera, lens and focal length will you be using?

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

100mm f2.8L

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I like Stage Lights advice.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I would say get them into a composition you like then adjust your apeture (and perhaps your distance since you are using a 100mm) to give you sufficient DOF. Obviously you also need to adjust your shutter speed and ISO for good exposure.