How much out of focus is acceptable?

[A/Ox4]

Occasionally I take a shot I like, only to discover later that the focus is slightly off. I'm sure this NEVER happens to anyone else. [emoji1]

How far off, do you think is acceptable. Below is an example.

 

[jsecordphoto]

I'm very picky so, not out of focus at all. That's just me though

 

[JoeW]

Occasionally I take a shot I like, only to discover later that the focus is slightly off. I'm sure this NEVER happens to anyone else. [emoji1]

How far off, do you think is acceptable. Below is an example.

Depends upon what you're trying to do. If the purpose is to document a crime scene, then everything relevant needs to be in-focus. If you're looking for an abstract artistic statement, than focus may be a bad thing. If it's boudoir than you want a hazy blur surrounding the blushing virgin. A portrait...bokeh in the foreground and background but sharp details of the subject. A picture conveying movement or speed than you want some blur to imply motion.

There is a reason that photography is an art and not a craft. There are a thousand rules to good or great photography and they mostly contradict. What a good photographer does is to wisely select which rules to follow and which ones to not only ignore but to smash in to tiny bits of garbage that he/she than tramples on with the finished photo.

The real question isn't "how much in-focus?". The real issue here is your ability to see/pursue a possibility and then to create it with your camera. If what you're producing isn't what you're trying to produce, then you aren't in-focus enough (or it could be the correct exposure or the correct composition or not close enough or too close or too early or too late). The point is that you want to envision a possibility and then use your camera to create it. If you often end up with results that you didn't intend or don't look anything like what you wanted to produce, than you want to work on your technique with your camera. B/c sometimes you want LESS focus, not more.

 

[Ilovemycam]

Occasionally I take a shot I like, only to discover later that the focus is slightly off. I'm sure this NEVER happens to anyone else. [emoji1]

How far off, do you think is acceptable. Below is an example.

There are no photo police. Do what you like.

Here is a real crapper for technique from Mary Ellen Mark...but still wonderful.

https://acvoice.files.wordpress.com...k_new_york_cit_2125_41.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1

Here are a few from me that could have been sharper...

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe..._My_Bed_Copyright_1972_Daniel_Teoli_Jr_mr.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...-Jenny_Copyright_1972_Daniel_D._Teoli_Jr..jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe..._Dress_Copyright_1973_Daniel_D._Teoli_Jr..jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...bydoll_Copyright_1972_Daniel_D._Teoli_Jr..jpg

nsfw

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Pole_Dance_Selfie_@_Bikers'_Mardi_Gras_Copyright_2014_Daniel_D._Teoli_Jr..jpg/490px-Pole_Dance_Selfie_@_Bikers'_Mardi_Gras_Copyright_2014_Daniel_D._Teoli_Jr..jpg

In the end either the image works or not. When I say 'works' I mean works for you or your client. I've had many people tell me my work is crap and to trash it. My trash all ended up in museum collections.

 

[Forkie]

It's an artistic choice, really. But that doesn't mean that just because something is out of focus you can automatically claim artistic licence!

It has to be right and appropriate.

 

[SCraig]

Personally: None.

 

[PropilotBW]

When I miss the focus, every time I see the photo, I keep wishing I hit the focus on the mark.
But....I keep the photos anyways, because they're mostly of my kids, and sometimes a razor sharp image doesn't really matter with documenting memories.

 

[Overread]

Maybe its because its near 1am but that shot looks fine to me. Focus might not be on the ear of the person, but the helmet, back and walkie talkie are in-focus (or appear to be) whilst the face is way into black. So it doesn't matter in this shot because the focus is on the core key focus points of attention.


As for how much is "allowed" that is a choice you have to come up with yourself somewhat. You can get peoples feedback from shots and see what they do and don't like - you can see patterns and read justifications of theory behind those patterns of like and dislike; but the final choice is always yours (unless your client is paying you of course ).


I tend to be quite strict with myself and the sharpness and focus. There are times when you know you couldn't have gotten any better realistically (experience teaches you this); but in general I always go for as best as I can. In fact that's about the crux of it - do the best you can as much as you can. Because as soon as you start to get "lazy" you'll find mistakes appear far more frequently.