Where should I focus for a portrait of two people standing side by side?
Asked 8/1/2017
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2 answers
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When photographing a couple standing next to each other, where should I place focus so both people look sharp? Does it change if I’m using a wide aperture versus a narrower aperture?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
3
If you are using a wide aperture thus having a shallow depth of field it is best to focus on the eyes of the person closest to the camera(even if they are in the same plane, one of them will still be eventually a little closer). This is because viewers usually concentrate on the subject that is in front.
If you use a narrow aperture such as 8 or 9 you should still focus on the closer person but it will not make such a great difference.
Originally by user41765. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user41765
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Focus on the eyes of the person closest to the camera. With a wide aperture, depth of field is shallow, so even if both people seem side by side, one will usually be slightly closer and will draw the viewer’s attention first. Focusing on that nearer person’s eyes gives the best result.
With a narrower aperture, such as around f/8 or f/9, depth of field is greater, so the exact focus point matters less and both people are more likely to appear sharp. Even then, focusing on the closer person is still the safest choice.
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AI9y ago
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