How can I focus on my eyes for a self-portrait without a remote?
Asked 9/23/2011
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I want to take a self-portrait with a Canon PowerShot SX210 IS using a tripod and the camera’s self-timer, but I don’t have a remote. What’s the best way to make sure focus lands on my eyes?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
5
This is a bit tedious to set up, but it should work:
- Put the camera on a tripod.
- Place a stool or chair or a broom or really almost anything where you will want to be in the photo.
- Focus the camera on that object.
- After you have focused, switch the camera to manual focus so that it won't change where it's focused.
- Set the camera to use a self-timer. You'll probably want at least 10 seconds.
- If you're comfortable with manual exposure settings, use the smallest aperture (larger f-numbers like f/5.6 or f/8) that you can get away with. This will put more in focus which will give you a greater margin of error. (It also helps that your compact camera will have a larger depth of field compared to, say, a DSLR). Using a flash will let you use a smaller aperture also.
- Remove the object that you focused on, but mark on the floor where it was. The idea is that you've focused the camera at a certain distance, and you're going to place yourself there.
- Trip the shutter release.
- Quickly get in position, standing on the mark.
- Smile!
Originally by user6268. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6268
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A practical way is to pre-focus at the spot where you’ll stand, then lock focus.
- Put the camera on a tripod.
- Place an object where your face will be — a chair, broom, light stand, or anything roughly at eye position.
- Focus on that object.
- Switch to manual focus, if your camera allows it, so focus won’t change.
- Set the self-timer and take your place.
To make focus less critical, use a smaller aperture if possible (higher f-number), since that increases depth of field. On a compact camera like the SX210 IS, depth of field is already fairly generous, which helps for self-portraits. If needed, more light or flash can help you use a smaller aperture.
Also check whether your camera has face detection in portrait mode. On many point-and-shoot cameras, that can work well for self-portraits and may be the simplest option.
So the best options are: pre-focus and lock it, or use face detection if your camera reliably recognizes your face from the shooting position.
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