C&C...Help with timer/focus

bunny99123 · Apr 28, 2012

Hi,
Three self-shoots I took this week. When taking photos of yourself is there an easier way to focus on yourself or continue to take many shoots and get lucky? I use a remote timer. The first pic is flat. C&C is welcome!

KmH · Apr 28, 2012

Put something else to focus on where you will be. It need to be where your eyes will be. Once the camera has focused, put the focus mode in Manual so the lens won't try to refocus when the timer trips the shutter.

A better solution may well be a hand-held, wireless remote shutter release.

You might want to do some reading about photographic lighting too.

bunny99123 · Apr 28, 2012

Thank you. Already have the remote shutter. Some locations I have carry so much, but I could try a stick or something.

Granddad · Apr 29, 2012

Self portraits are hard enough in a studio, never mind outdoors. I managed to get mine by the method given above by KmH (no remote, yet) and focused on a spare tripod, but it took numerous attempts to get a halfway decent expression... like many photographers I'm cameraphobic! Nice try, I'll make NO criticism until I've tried it myself.

Skhigh · Apr 29, 2012

I tried to do the same thing just the other day...I took about 75 shots of myself and only a few were semi focused but my facial expressions were hilarious! I like the tip about using a spare tripod to focus on! I did notice thou, that the ones that I was able to get some-what focused were the ones that I was a good ten feet away from my background. I also used a tree as a prop so I could focus on that too.

Granddad · Apr 29, 2012

Skhigh said:
I tried to do the same thing just the other day...I took about 75 shots of myself and only a few were semi focused but my facial expressions were hilarious! I like the tip about using a spare tripod to focus on! I did notice thou, that the ones that I was able to get some-what focused were the ones that I was a good ten feet away from my background. I also used a tree as a prop so I could focus on that too.

Good luck!!