Aperture Question

[ashm09]

I shoot in manual mode on a Canon T3i with a 50mm 1.4 prime...I'm having so much trouble getting my subject in focus no matter how I adjust the aperture. I love the bokeh look so when I shoot at 2.8 I get a great affect but my entire subject isn't in focus. I've tried slowly closing the aperture but nothing seems to help to get the look I want. I've also tried to change the distance I'm standing from them. I know this is a very hard lens to get used to so I've been exclusively shooting with it. I have a wedding coming up and I would love to be able to get those amazing photos of the bride and groom with the bokeh affect behind them.
Any NICE tips would be great Thanks!

 

[cgipson1]

Here.. study...

Online Depth of Field Calculator

 

[ashm09]

I have so many times and so many different ones.

 

[cgipson1]

I shoot in manual mode on a Canon T3i with a 50mm 1.4 prime...I'm having so much trouble getting my subject in focus no matter how I adjust the aperture. I love the bokeh look so when I shoot at 2.8 I get a great affect but my entire subject isn't in focus. I've tried slowly closing the aperture but nothing seems to help to get the look I want. I've also tried to change the distance I'm standing from them. I know this is a very hard lens to get used to so I've been exclusively shooting with it. I have a wedding coming up and I would love to be able to get those amazing photos of the bride and groom with the bokeh affect behind them.
Any NICE tips would be great Thanks!

My take is that if you can't figure out a really simple DOF issue, maybe you aren't ready to do weddings!

I have a 50mm 1.4... never had a problem getting the shots I wanted with it... so I know it isn't that hard!

 

[ashm09]

Well I don't find myself having any issues when I shoot with my 24-105mm f/4..I'm just having a lot of issues with the 50mm prime. I was hoping to get more detailed shots with the prime but maybe I'll just stick with my other lens until I feel more comfortable with the prime.

 

[Desi]

What are your autofocus settings on?

I don't shoot canon, so I can't help too much there, but you might find the answer by checking and learning the different autofocus settings.

 

[cgipson1]

Well I don't find myself having any issues when I shoot with my 24-105mm f/4..I'm just having a lot of issues with the 50mm prime. I was hoping to get more detailed shots with the prime but maybe I'll just stick with my other lens until I feel more comfortable with the prime.

Since you cannot use flash during the ceremony at most of the weddings I am familiar with, your 24-105 will limit you, aperture wise, especially if you stop it down to get it sharp... which you should!

 

[cgipson1]

What are your autofocus settings on?

I don't shoot canon, so I can't help too much there, but you might find the answer by checking and learning the different autofocus settings.

Desi... the main problem is DOF on that lens, at 2.8, at 10 feet (and she is probably shooting closer than that) and . She is shooting for bokeh.. not sharpness! Should be the other way around..... although that should be enough DOF for anyone to get it sharp... 1.29 feet deep

 

[Desi]

True, I was under the impression the OP had been trying out smaller apertures as well.

I know that I shot at 1.8 for the first 3 months after I got my 50. Just a phase to go through.

 

[ashm09]

I shoot with canon and have the autofocus on One Shot. I do not use a flash during a ceremony, I shoot in manual mode and meter based on the sunlight. I hardly ever have shadow issues unless it's in the middle of the day and I do notice the limits I have with my 24-105 which is why I was hoping to shoot the ceremony with my 24-105 and do the after shots with my prime.

 

[cgipson1]

True, I was under the impression the OP had been trying out smaller apertures as well.

I know that I shot at 1.8 for the first 3 months after I got my 50. Just a phase to go through.

True.. but did you shoot weddings at that time? lol!

 

[cgipson1]

I shoot with canon and have the autofocus on One Shot. I do not use a flash during a ceremony, I shoot in manual mode and meter based on the sunlight. I hardly ever have shadow issues unless it's in the middle of the day and I do notice the limits I have with my 24-105 which is why I was hoping to shoot the ceremony with my 24-105 and do the after shots with my prime.

are you charging for the wedding?

 

[ashm09]

Hey now...I'm not being paid...it's for a friend and to help me learn. I was just hoping for a little advice. I'm going for the bokeh affect with the sharpness of the subject. I usually shoot from 10-15 feet away from the subject.

 

[cgipson1]

Hey now...I'm not being paid...it's for a friend and to help me learn. I was just hoping for a little advice. I'm going for the bokeh affect with the sharpness of the subject. I usually shoot from 10-15 feet away from the subject.

Ok.. that is different! My advice... don't shoot below F4 unless you have a specific need. Bump it if you are shooting a group! Sharp photos are more important than good bokeh.. so don't screw up your friends wedding photos by trying to be artistic! Play it safe!

At 15' with that lens at 2.8.. you should have more than enough DOF to cover single person portrait type shots of the bride.... use spot focus (on her eyes), and move the focus point.. DO NOT focus and recompose unless you have enough experience with it to know how it works for YOU!

And if the photos are important to your friend.. I would highly recommend that you highly recommend that she hire a pro... with you as second!

 

[ashm09]

Thank you...I told her that she was taking a chance by just having me but its a very small backyard wedding so she just wants some pictures to remember the day.