Which is 'better'? Playing with DOF

[CMfromIL]

Thanks for looking, just trying to improve with the 50mm and it's DOF.

Shot 1 (shallow F1.4)

Shot 2 (F/5.6)

Shot 3. Daughter insisted I get one of her 'do'.

 

[Designer]

#1 shallow is the better of the two. (more pleasing due to blurring of her feet) Also, next time you try a shallow DOF have the model hold her hands as in #2.

#3 The hair shot should have been a hair shot. (Next time you do this, have the model looking away from the camera and turn her face slightly downward.)

 

[cgipson1]

I prefer #1, since you were far enough away from her to get enough DOF (even at F1.4) to get her entire face in focus. Background is much nicer than #2. Most people that shoot at F1.4 don't realize how much subject distance affects the DOF. The brightness of the bottom of her feet are the big problem here... I would darken them up some.

 

[CMfromIL]

Thank you for the tips. I'll work on hand placement and bra strap covering in my next go around. The good news for me is that my 'model' is ALWAYS ready to take pictures.

 

[amolitor]

Shallow is better, but this is at least in part because she has her hand on her face, which is just a good pose, and has a more beguiling and interesting expression. The deeper one she has more of a "smile for the camera" face, where the smile does not reach the eyes.

I do think the shallow DoF works better here, though, focusing attention on the girl more, especially important given the fairly busy background.

 

[tirediron]

Agree; shallow is better. #3, while not really a "hair shot" is an absolutely wonderful shot of the young lady!