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SELECTIVE FOCUS PORTRAIT TIPS
double glass optic photo by beth forester photography
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #1 : Hit the Sweet Spot every time near miss
on target
double glass optic photos by holli true EXPERT TIP: BRACKET YOUR FOCUS Bracket your focus. Even if a shot looks perfectly focused through the viewfinder or on the back of your camera, you might find it a little off when printed or blown up on a bigger screen. Compose your shot, focus it, and shoot – and then take the same shot a few more times changing the focus just the tiniest bit each time. Odds are, you’ll nail the focus on one of those shots.
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #2: Frame your subject with dynamic blur
double glass optic photo by craig strong
TRY THIS: SHOOT YOUR SUBJECT OFF CENTER Placing your subject off center gives you more opportunities to make use of the blur’s best feature: framing your subject. It also follows with the compositional Rule of Thirds. Imagine 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines through your image. Placing the subject at one of these intersecting points created by these lines draws the viewer’s eye and attention.
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #3: Make a motion picture
double glass optic photo by scott o. smith photography
TRY THIS: USE BLUR TO SUGGEST MOTION Experiment with using the blur to suggest your subject in action.
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #4: Find the windows to your subject’s soul near miss
on target
double glass optic photos by holli true EXPERT TIP: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SUBJECT’S EYES Pay close attention to your subject’s eyes. Most Lensbaby portraits look better when both of the eyes are included in the sweet spot. At least one eye should be tack sharp to capture your subject’s personality and create a connection with the viewer.
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #5: Cover your bases f/4
f/8
double glass optic photos by holli true EXPERT TIP: BRACKET YOUR APERTURE If you’ve been shooting with the f/4 that comes installed with your lens, try changing to the f/5.6 or even the f/8. This will increase the size of your area of focus and increase your odds of getting everything you want placed within the Sweet Spot.
SELECTIVE FOCUS TIP #6: Create a scene
double glass optic photo by sara patton
TRY THIS: USE CREATIVE APERTURES Place your subject in front of bright highlights and use creative apertures to add shape and texture to your background.