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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Where do I Stand
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 04/22/2014 11:38:39 PM · #1
Good day everyone. I have a photography problem that I am trying to fix but just to no avail and I was wondering if there anyone can help me or know of a trick I can use.

My problem is when I want to do a self portrait or photograph myself in any situation, I can't seem to find that sweet spot where to stand or how far to stand away from the camera. Each time I have tried and tried again and again and each time I take a picture, it is just out of focus.

Seems as though the only way to achieve self portraits or self photography if when someone else is shooting.

Thanks, Adrian
 04/22/2014 11:47:57 PM · #2
How about putting an object (tripod, chair, etc.) in the spot where you will be standing, so that you can focus on it, then move it out of the frame and take it's place.
 04/22/2014 11:49:52 PM · #3
Another thought: Maybe you are shooting with a very shallow depth of field. Try using conditions and settings that will give you a fairly wide depth of field, so there is some fudge factor to where you can be in the frame.
04/22/2014 11:58:15 PM · #4
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
How about putting an object (tripod, chair, etc.) in the spot where you will be standing, so that you can focus on it, then move it out of the frame and take it's place.


Thank you Steve. I never thought of using a chair. I guess since I was only thinking at the time of doing the poses in different poses and positions :p The chair however will help to at least establish a starting point.

The help is very much appreciated.
 04/23/2014 02:34:53 AM · #5
As somebody who takes a lot of self portraits on my climbing trips, what I tend to do is stop down the lens a bit (or just use a wide angle), and then I find a specific object in the frame to stand near. It could be a specific flower or a rock, but I set my focus on that point, use my timer, and stand as close as I can. Prefocus where you plan to stand. If you need to, you can place rocks in a small pile so you know where to go and then kick them away before the photo. Essentially, you should make sure you stand in the right spot by marking it.
 04/23/2014 04:08:48 AM · #6
I might be stating the obvious, but remember to switch the lens to MF. I sometimes forget when pre-focussing and then when I press the shutter (normally blind) the camera has refocused (or de focused) without me knowing.
 04/23/2014 06:30:25 AM · #7
If you take the prefocus road, as others have mentioned, use a prop to focus on and mark your spot and make sure to set the lens to MF after focusing. Stopping down the lens would give you some tolerance and depth of field.

Or you can go the AF route. My profile pictue is a selfie :-). Sitting on a sofa, legs crossed (male style, ankle over knee), camera in my left hand resting over the ankle, AF, auto AF-area and some trial and error. More of the error were regarding the framing and posture, not the focus. Contributing factors were the clear background (white wall) and and shoot-through umbrella on camera left, standing there from my previous tabletop shooting session.

- - -

ETA: I re-read the quote of my post i saw a big mistake. The umbrella was to MY LEFT, that is CAMERA RIGHT.


Message edited by author 2014-04-23 14:20:11.
 04/23/2014 01:43:07 PM · #8
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
As somebody who takes a lot of self portraits on my climbing trips, what I tend to do is stop down the lens a bit (or just use a wide angle), and then I find a specific object in the frame to stand near. It could be a specific flower or a rock, but I set my focus on that point, use my timer, and stand as close as I can. Prefocus where you plan to stand. If you need to, you can place rocks in a small pile so you know where to go and then kick them away before the photo. Essentially, you should make sure you stand in the right spot by marking it.


Originally posted by Paul:
I might be stating the obvious, but remember to switch the lens to MF. I sometimes forget when pre-focussing and then when I press the shutter (normally blind) the camera has refocused (or de focused) without me knowing.


Originally posted by damjan:
If you take the prefocus road, as others have mentioned, use a prop to focus on and mark your spot and make sure to set the lens to MF after focusing. Stopping down the lens would give you some tolerance and depth of field.

Or you can go the AF route. My profile pictue is a selfie :-). Sitting on a sofa, legs crossed (male style, ankle over knee), camera in my left hand resting over the ankle, AF, auto AF-area and some trial and error. More of the error were regarding the framing and posture, not the focus. Contributing factors were the clear background (white wall) and and shoot-through umbrella on camera left, standing there from my previous tabletop shooting session.


Thank you Paul, Damjan, Derek, and Steve. You guys have given so many options which I know I can use for my enjoyment. Now, I can make sure that my portraits and poses are always pretty much on point and not have to guess anymore. A very big help from all.
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