Can anyone help me with taking self portraits with a dslr

[BCordeiroPhotography]

hey everyone im going to start the 365 days project come Jan 1. i was wondering if anyone can help me with getting myself in focus every time i try to put my camera on a tripod and take a picture of myself im always out of focus for some reason and i cant figure it out for the life of me. i was hoping someone on here can help me with this i have a Nikon D7000 and using a 35mm 1.8G Lens. Thank you so much everyone for your help.


Merry Christmas To All
Brian Joseph Photography.

 

[MichaelHenson]

I'd recommend getting everything setup the way you want, putting something as a "placeholder" that you can autofocus on, then switch your lens from auto to manual focus so it doesn't move again...Then either use the delayed shutter option or a remote to trigger the camera. You can pick up a wired shutter release that's a few feet long or a wireless one for a few bucks more.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

I have a nikon wiresless remote i have to try putting it on autofocus first and then manual right after i havent tried that yet. Also should what focus method you think i should be using auto focus with the one little dot??

 

[MichaelHenson]

I'd just use the single point auto focus and then move the switch on your lens to manual once you have your placeholder in perfect focus. Just be sure that you have an aperture width that will provide a decent depth of field and be sure to place yourself exactly where you have your placeholder...

 

[Braineack]

I make sure that my focus point ends up on my face. Once I got the focus I'll disabled AF.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

thank you i tried all last night and i couldn't get it for some reason i will that method today.

 

[Unspoiled]

Here is what I have done that has worked well. I use the old method of "stringing" that's used for setting up lights sometimes.

I get everything set up where I want it... I put something in my position in the photo and get my focus. Now I take a string with a metal washer on the end and run it over to my place holder. Go back and verify focus and now I shut off my AF.

I can now move over into position and move my face to touch the washer (for head shots) and know that I will be in focus. I tie the string to the center shaft of my tripod. Be sure you pay attention to where the string is and be sure to not pull over your tripod.

I've had good luck with this method. Using an aperture with more DOF will give you more wiggle room for focus.

Good Luck!!

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

Thank you for that method i will try that out also tonight lol i need to get this down packed before jan 1 lol i dont have to much time left lol.

 

[wfooshee]

Punctuation is your friend.

 

[astroNikon]

One the d7000 also make sure that on
a1 & a2 are on Focus and not Release

If you are using the Infrared Remote that tends to just shoot. I had hard times making selfies with the IR remote thus the "focus" a1 a2. When I went to a Velo Radio trigger it allowed me to half press and do a focus. Made it much easier.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

astronikon so put both a1 and a2 on focus in the custom menu??

 

[fotomonkey]

Since you should be using AF-S, only a2 needs to be set to focus. imho it's best to leave a1 in release since you may want to capture an image in AF-C even if it's a little OOF.

 

[astroNikon]

astronikon so put both a1 and a2 on focus in the custom menu??

I normally use AFS (a2) for portrait stuff but I didn't know what you used.
with AFS single focus point
Initially keep the room well lite as you are doing a test shot to get focus.
You need to put yourself or something (I used stuffed animals) onto the spot with the height of you) at the exact spot you are going to shot from.

Take a shot and make sure focus was fine (camera still on tripod).
Then turn AF Off and a1 & a2 on release.
Then replace yourself with what is at that shot spot.
also f/7.1 would be good to help get yourself in focus.
Then add your speedlights/strobes as you have the position/focus all set now.

This was the best procedure I had when using the IR remote. For other Radio remotes that allow half presses it gets a bit easier.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

you rock astroNikon im going to try this method today once i leave work lol

 

[Tee]

If you look on Adorama's youtube channel, Mark Wallace has a tutorial on self portraits which is what I used. Here's a result of me: