Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
09-01-2011, 11:03 PM   #1
Pentaxian




Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,497
F2.8 vs F4.0 - for face portraits

What do you prefer for close-up face portrait - F2.8 vs F4.0? I sometime find that overall picture with better skin texture and sharp eyes at F4.0 looks better than pics with F2.8. Just wondering what's the general onion. Also, which aperture do you prefer studio shots?

Yusuf

09-01-2011, 11:32 PM   #2
Veteran Member
Chex's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,678
depends on the lens, and range from subject.. that controls DoF as much as aperture. I like shots close to wide open, as long as the eye's are nice and sharp.
09-02-2011, 01:14 AM   #3
Veteran Member
RioRico's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Limbo, California
Posts: 11,263
As Chex said, it depends on lens and distance, which depend on the effect desired and the available space and light and background. Just for what I consider the right roundness for human features, I prefer around f/3.5-4 wiith a 75-80-85-90mm lens -- and that works for me in several formats, from APS-C | 135/HF to 135/FF to 645 to 6x6. For flatter features, use a longer lens from further away.

But I must balance these effects against the background: Is the BG near or far, soft or hard, lit or dim? Do I want to isolate the subject in full or part, or is the BG | context part of the portrait? What do I want to emphasize? The answers to these questions many lead me to use any lens from 50-200mm, at apertures from f/1.2-11, for facials. It all depends on what I want the portrait to portray.

Last edited by RioRico; 09-02-2011 at 01:40 AM.
09-02-2011, 08:14 AM   #4
Veteran Member




Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southern California
Photos: Albums
Posts: 4,082
You are the portrait master yusuf. We should be asking you.

Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, f2.8, f4.0, photography, vs
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Black & White Face vinni Post Your Photos! 2 07-20-2011 07:53 PM
Nature Face to face with "Buzz" charliezap Post Your Photos! 7 05-20-2011 05:06 PM
After the 50mm, the 85mm what is the next step for closeup Face Portraits? (Nikon) Noob Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 12 05-18-2011 03:04 PM
People The Face of a Newbi is a face only a mother could love :) Borislav Post Your Photos! 2 04-23-2010 12:36 PM
People Portraits & Self Portraits Christopher M.W.T Post Your Photos! 12 04-14-2010 06:53 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:11 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top