How can I get very sharp eyes in portraits of kids and family?
Asked 3/13/2011
3 views
2 answers
0
I’m photographing my 2.5-year-old son and other family members with a Canon 350D, mainly using a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II and a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro. My portraits are decent, but the eyes never look as crisp and striking as many portraits I see online. Is this mostly about technique, lighting, focus, or post-processing? What should I do to make the eyes the sharpest part of the image?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
15
No one has mentioned lighting yet: bright pixels are sharp pixels. Are you using an off-camera flash, exposing the subject and background properly, and capturing one round catch light in each eye?
Originally by user2910. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2910
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The biggest issue is usually focus placement: the eyes must be exactly in focus. Use the center AF point, place it on the nearest eye, focus, then recompose if needed. Take several frames, because with wide apertures even a small movement can shift focus off the eyes.
Lighting also matters a lot. Bright, well-lit eyes look sharper, and a catchlight makes them stand out. Put a light source behind you or have the subject face a window; off-camera flash can help too.
A wide aperture such as f/1.8 can make the eyes pop by blurring the background, but it also gives very shallow depth of field, so focus becomes more critical. Getting close to the subject can enhance the effect.
Your 50mm f/1.8 is well suited for this. The 100mm macro can also be very sharp, but may be less convenient indoors.
Post-processing can help, but it won’t fix missed focus. Selective sharpening on the eyes, eyebrows, and lips can add polish after capture.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Which next lens should I buy for a Canon Rebel T2i for portraits and kids' sports?
Should I upgrade my Rebel XT body or buy better lenses first?
How can I avoid glare and eye distortion when photographing people wearing glasses?
Why do faces look soft when the subject is farther away, even if focus seems correct?
What are the best tips for photographing babies and children at home or outdoors?