My favourite apertures for capturing portraits
I recently wrote a post on what my favourite lenses for capturing portraits are, so I thought I might expand on that a little and discuss my favourite apertures for capturing portraits. Obviously, everyone is different and has different tastes and requirements. Even on a single shoot, I will use different apertures for different reasons.
The Closeup
I cannot deny I love a wide-open aperture for a close-up. I really like have the eye in sharp focus and the rest of the face and hair falling off into blur. Love a soft creamy bokeh and I prefer to catch that in camera. So I will generally shoot f/1.8 - f/2.8.
Mid-range
Pulling back out a little I still usually like to have some blur. I often shoot wide-open from f/1.8 through to f/2.8 as well. However, this is where I find I often close down my aperture at this distance and frequently shoot at f/4.0 to f/5.6.
Full Length
When I am shooting full-length body shots I generally like a aperture that gives me a bit or wiggle room. Using a small depth of field on a full body shot, sometimes means that not all the face is in focus. So when it comes to this I prefer to use f/4.0 up to f/7.1
Multiple People
I tend to work a lot with a single person in my images. But when I do have two or more people, say a couple or family photo, then I really do go to an aperture with a larger depth of field. It helps in nailing the focus, but also getting more in shot. If you shoot a couple at f/1.8, one person will be in focus, while the other is not (unless they are on the exact same focal distance). So to make sure everyone in the shot is in focus I will use minimum f/4.5 but usually f/7.1 to f/11 depending on the scene, the light and how many people are in my shot. I once did a wedding and the group shot was at f/22! This is also helpful if you are shooting further away as well.
Focus point
So where to set your focus point? Regardless of the camera, the lens or the aperture. Always use the eyes as your point of focus in a portrait. A rule of thumb is the face is not straight on is the use the eye that is closest to the camera and move your focus point to that eye. Metering...well that really depends on what you are shooting, your lighting etc. I personally still like a spot metering and meter on my subject's face.
Camera Mode
This is open to debate, and again everyone is different. Personally, I like to shoot in a studio with a controlled environment, lights etc. I prefer to shoot in Aperture Priority Mode. I set my aperture and the camera figures out the rest. If things are getting a little tricky, then I will switch over to manual and set everything myself. If you are not getting the results you are after in AP Mode then switching to Manual is a good way to go. Not confident in Manual, try on Auto and see what settings your camera suggests, then switch to manual and use the same settings, adjust shutter speed, ISO and aperture to see varying different results. It's a great way to learn.
Model Credits - Jess Lartner, Jesi Faun, Alexia Frost, Emily Reinhard, Nicola Paige, Andrea Gardiner, Lisa Wilmore