Shallow depth of field

[CatCynic]

I shot this image using a Canon 135mm f2L at f2. I was trying for a very shallow depth of field, and I think I got the effect I was looking for - what do you think of it?



Focus point was her left eye. To be honest, getting her lips in focus too was serendipity

[heavenly_light]

Hey,

If you were going for a shallow depth of field, I think you did it.

Take care and be safe.
God be with you,
Tony

[DeanP]

NIce use of DoF. Really want to get a faster lense for my camera. What lighting set-up were you using? I see 3 catchlights in the eyes.

Dean

[LifeIsGreatImages]

Congratulations. I'm struggling to achieve that. I've got about a 35 to 420 mm eqiv Leica zoom in a Panasonic body (FZ-30) and I feel like I'm fighting to get that.

Granted I'm trying to use one camera for everthing and I originally bought it for the stabilized zoom and silent manual controls for wildlife photography. But I keep thinking if I put it on aperture priority at about f-4 and do either auto or manual focus and stand about 8 feet from the model then I ought to have a fairly shallow depth of field. But I'm not getting it ... also in the sense of not understanding it.

I think the lens system can do it. It's given me a good result with AP and macro auto focus on a close up of a flower. It's the medium / portrait distance that mystifies me.

I have the sinking suspicion that the camera is much smarter than the photographer...

Steve

[isaiahbrink]

Nice work! You used the lack of dof to your advatage (but I think that may of been the point.)

Isaiah

[CatCynic]

Interesting - yes, I can see why it looks like 3 catchlights. There were only two lights involved: a 4 foot octobox to camera left, and a 3x1 foot strip softbox below the camera. I think the two catchlights from the octobox came about because of the curve of the cornea - I think I'll get the model to turn away slightly next time to avoid that - thank you for pointing that out.

To get depth of field this shallow requires a large aperture - f2, or bigger, I would think. You could get this effect with a 50mm or 85mm lens, but I really like the compression of the 135mm.

[jimmyd]

Originally Posted by LifeIsGreatImages

Congratulations. I'm struggling to achieve that. I've got about a 35 to 420 mm eqiv Leica zoom in a Panasonic body (FZ-30) and I feel like I'm fighting to get that.

your zoom lens is going to have a tough time matching the short DOF capabilities of a prime lens--especially a medium telephoto prime like the 135. two reasons: minimum aperture (wider on the prime) and front and rear focusing of the optical elements on your zoom vs. front-element only on the prime.

[AmateurGlamour]

Cat,
You certainly achieved a minimal DoF. I'm still pondering the photo however. I'm not sure if it's drawing my attention to her eye or distracting me when I look at the full photo. Perhaps it's the pose or the angle of the shot. Not sure yet how to put my finger on it. BTW, pretty model.
Jim