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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Self Portrait questions....
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 04/23/2010 05:03:45 PM · #1
I have NEVER done a self portrait. I prefer to shoot other people.... :)

So I need to do some self portraits but I have a dumb question.

HOW do you focus the camera?

I will be using a combo of my 35mm lens, and my 16-85 lens and I am not quite sure how to set the focus to make sure that *I* am in focus. I will be shooting against a white background and against some darker colored backgrounds with minimal props.

THANKS!
 04/23/2010 05:05:28 PM · #2
I usually prefocus on an object where I want me to be and then set the focus to manual to keep it there. I also use a smaller aperture to get a deeper depth of field so that if I am not exactly on the spot I am aiming for I will still be in focus.

eta: On my 50 mm it also has distances so I've actually measured to get my focus correct.

Message edited by author 2010-04-23 17:06:02.
 04/23/2010 05:08:31 PM · #3
Originally posted by gwe21:
I have NEVER done a self portrait. I prefer to shoot other people.... :)

So I need to do some self portraits but I have a dumb question.

HOW do you focus the camera?

I will be using a combo of my 35mm lens, and my 16-85 lens and I am not quite sure how to set the focus to make sure that *I* am in focus. I will be shooting against a white background and against some darker colored backgrounds with minimal props.

THANKS!


Are you focusing manually? I use a wireless remote and use autofocus.
 04/23/2010 05:10:24 PM · #4
Originally posted by gwe21:
I have NEVER done a self portrait. I prefer to shoot other people.... :)

So I need to do some self portraits but I have a dumb question.

HOW do you focus the camera?

I will be using a combo of my 35mm lens, and my 16-85 lens and I am not quite sure how to set the focus to make sure that *I* am in focus. I will be shooting against a white background and against some darker colored backgrounds with minimal props.

THANKS!


I test everything out on myself technique wise so people don't have to put with me putzing around, so I hear your pain. Couple things that I've done;
Place some object where you'll be sitting, set focus, then turn focus to MF and don't touch it. Using a higher aperture obviously makes this more effective. Depending upon the nature of your shots, you can also set your focus for a given distance and mark that distance from the focal plane on the ground with a piece of tape or something so you know where the depth of field is.
You can also use a cordless remote, they're small and can easily be concealed in your hand.
Lastly, you can turn on a feature of the D300 called "interval shooting." It will refocus and I think re-meter between each shot automatically. This way, you can do a stream of photos with a given interval between them, so you can try out a wide variety of poses on your own, as if there's a photographer behind the lens. Be forewarned that the description for interval shooting is sorta confusing in the manual.
04/23/2010 05:12:58 PM · #5
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by gwe21:
I have NEVER done a self portrait. I prefer to shoot other people.... :)

So I need to do some self portraits but I have a dumb question.

HOW do you focus the camera?

I will be using a combo of my 35mm lens, and my 16-85 lens and I am not quite sure how to set the focus to make sure that *I* am in focus. I will be shooting against a white background and against some darker colored backgrounds with minimal props.

THANKS!


Are you focusing manually? I use a wireless remote and use autofocus.


I dont have a remote for my D300 but I have a wireless one for my D40, so maybe I will use that camera.... hmmm..

thanks for all the suggestions, I guess I need to just go in there and figure it out until I get it right
 04/23/2010 05:25:04 PM · #6
Hello! when I do mine, I use a 18-55mm lense. I just do it over and over until i get it right. Like people always say: Practice makes perfect.
Lighting helps the camera focus better (duh) so make sure that there is plenty of light on you so that the camera can pick up that you want to be the subject. (if this makes sense...thats good) but once you get the focus right turn it to manual.

practice practice practice....
 04/23/2010 05:25:24 PM · #7
What about shooting into a large mirror, so you are next to the camera and can check the focus, and then flipping the image back to "normal" in post-processing?
 04/23/2010 05:53:56 PM · #8
Originally posted by Citadel:
I usually prefocus on an object where I want me to be and then set the focus to manual to keep it there. I also use a smaller aperture to get a deeper depth of field so that if I am not exactly on the spot I am aiming for I will still be in focus.

eta: On my 50 mm it also has distances so I've actually measured to get my focus correct.


what he said.
 04/23/2010 07:34:30 PM · #9
I set it up on a tripod and hold my hand out with one hand and autofocus with the other. Then I turn it to manual focus and try to get in the right spot. Just keep trying, I don't have a remote so I have to get up after every picture but I can get f/1.8 in focus, just takes patience.
 04/23/2010 07:52:15 PM · #10
set up the tripod with the camera on it and make sure the area where you are going to be looks good, remove the camera from the tripod, carry the camera to where you are going to stand and focus on the tripod, put the camera in manual focus without changing the distance, put the camera back on the tripod and go back to the spot you just were... it's worked for me, but it helps to have an X on the floor. it's certainly not very elegant. i did that until i had a remote. with the remote i just put the camera on auto-focus and hoped for the best. remember to hide the remote ;)
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