85mm Selfie

[Austin Greene]

With a boudoir shoot coming up, I wanted to spend at least a few minutes getting to know the 85mm in terms of flash portraiture. In particular, I really wanted to explore using that shallow DOF to highlight a subject's eyes. Lacking a model, I ended up in front of the lens, a place I tend to avoid. All in all, I was quite happy with how the lens handles headshots, though I did have to shoot this at f/2.8 instead of f/2, I just couldn't nail the focus at f/2 sitting on the wrong side of the lens :lmao:

Hope you at least find it informational, there's not much creativity to enjoy here! Haha


85mm Self by TogaLive, on Flickr

43" shoot through umbrella above and just to camera right. Reflector below. Suppose that makes it somewhat clamshell.

 

[Braineack]

I'd have liked it if you went to even f/5.6, whatever was enough to get your entire head in focus. Had the BG had more mood to it, then the narrow DOF would work for me here.

otherwise, it's amazing the detail that thing can render isn't it? that coupled with the smooth bokeh makes a 85mm f/1.8 such a great lens.

 

[Austin Greene]

I'd have liked it if you went to even f/5.6, whatever was enough to get your entire head in focus. Had the BG had more mood to it, then the narrow DOF would work for me here.

otherwise, it's amazing the detail that thing can render isn't it? that coupled with the smooth bokeh makes a 85mm f/1.8 such a great lens.

Fair enough, I'll give it a shot next time I find myself subject-less! I pretty specifically wanted to go for the "just eyes in focus" look here since I haven't had that capability before, but I absolutely see what you mean.

And it is an amazing lens. I feel a little bad for my 70-200 sitting in it's drawer all the time now that this thing is around.

 

[Braineack]

I haven't shot my 85mm in a while since getting my 24-70 and 70-200, you're making me want to dust it off with all your recent shots.

 

[rexbobcat]

The 85mm was my first lens so I use it A LOT, mostly because framing with it is pretty instinctual at this point. With the 50mm I'm always either too far away or too close. It's especially great for headshots like this, though. It has a better look (I think) than the 70-200mm probably because it focuses closer.

 

[Austin Greene]

The 85mm was my first lens so I use it A LOT, mostly because framing with it is pretty instinctual at this point. With the 50mm I'm always either too far away or too close. It's especially great for headshots like this, though. It has a better look (I think) than the 70-200mm probably because it focuses closer.

It is a workhorse of a lens! In even the very short amount of time I've had mine, I know what you mean about it being "instinctual." It's just that which has enabled me to shoot more from the hip than in the past, and get some decent images.

 

[DanOstergren28 4]

I love the 85mm f/1.8. For it's price, it's so great, especially on a full frame body. I didn't switch it off of my camera for at least two years, until I bought my 135mm f/2. Now I barely use that 85mm, and generally switch between the 135mm and 50mm.

 

[runnah]

I love the 85mm f/1.8. For it's price, it's so great, especially on a full frame body. I didn't switch it off of my camera for at least two years, until I bought my 135mm f/2. Now I barely use that 85mm, and generally switch between the 135mm and 50mm.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[jenko]

Good job getting the eyes sharp! That is the toughest part of a selfie.

 

[sarah_19_nz]

wow thats cool! so sharp and awesome!

 

[Derrel]

You NAILED the only-the-eyes-sharp look! Pretty good lighting too. The OOF forehead is disconcerting, especially seen large ( the widest part of your head on this monitor is a measured 11 and 3/6 inches wide, so larger-than in real life!). I did not realize TPF would allow a 2,048 pixel tall image...it's nice to see some BIG images here! Good luck on the boudoir shoot.