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This is a shoot we decided to shoot to test my 85/1.4 and to see if it was sharp.

I ended up getting some of the best portraits I have ever taken. I am very pleased and happy with the results. I couldn't ask for more.

The set up was D700 + MB-D10, 85/1.4, SB-600 triggered via CLS, Reflector, Tripod, $2.00 umbrella. Reflector was placed under the model and SB600 fired at model through umbrella. Camera on tripod and on 5 sec release.

I found it hard having to run to the camera, focus then run and hold the umbrella and SB-600. Would have been better with stands or a helper! BUt oh well, can't complain.

Shooting with the 85/1.4 was a real learning curve. The DOF was so thin, alot of my shots were out of focus or only half the model was in focus. I ended up shooting at F2.2 +. There are few F1.4 shots that I got sharp, but still need to figure out how to get more sharp! I guess, I have to stand further away and crop the shot.

F1.4


F2.2


F2.2


F2.2


F1.4


F1.4


Comments / Critique please!

Oh very nice photos CTM. were there much postprocessing?
I love the colour, love the bokeh, love the contrast,and the composition is quite good too!!

If you are shooting at f/1.4 make sure you shooting with single point focus and both you and the model don't move a single mm after you locked the focus.. the depth of field is just so narrow. any slightly change in distance will just make the subject out of focus!


my harsh critiques:
#1 maybe if the model is a bit more off center it wuold look better? not very sure.. but love the bokeh!!!
#2 slightly overexposed but the composition is good
#3 model's pose/camera angle does not really suit her in my opinion
#4 and 5 both very nice, but i would frame slightly lower.
#6 is quite nice. unfortunately the lighting is a bit flat...

#5 is my favourite from this set! Well done!

and argghh. i want a 85 1.4

(07-08-2009 12:20 PM)yellow15 Wrote: [ -> ]Oh very nice photos CTM. were there much postprocessing?

Not much processing. I did remove a little blemishes from the face and smooth the skin. Adjusted a little lighting. I used "vivid" in the settings for the first few. Makes a huge difference.

I love the colour, love the bokeh, love the contrast,and the composition is quite good too!!

If you are shooting at f/1.4 make sure you shooting with single point focus and both you and the model don't move a single mm after you locked the focus.. the depth of field is just so narrow. any slightly change in distance will just make the subject out of focus!

Yes, I realised that, only after putting it on the computer!!! I shot off a tripod while I was holding the umbrella and flash. So if she moved, I wouldn't know. I did shoot at F2.2 just incase. YOu buy a 1.4 to use it at 1.4, no point buying a 1.4 to use it at 2.2. So I need to learn how to use it at 1.4.

my harsh critiques:
#1 maybe if the model is a bit more off center it wuold look better? not very sure.. but love the bokeh!!!
#2 slightly overexposed but the composition is good I should underexpose a little.
#3 model's pose/camera angle does not really suit her in my opinion. Agreed
#4 and 5 both very nice, but i would frame slightly lower. Agreed
#6 is quite nice. unfortunately the lighting is a bit flat... Handheld shot, nobody else to hold flash. So no flash. It just shows how much using a flash in daylight adds to a photo.

#5 is my favourite from this set! Well done!

and argghh. i want a 85 1.4 Go and buy one.Or a 135 F2 DC ahaahahhahaha

Thank you so much for the critique. Always lovely to hear another persons opinion / thoughts.

Shoot with flash in the day! Makes a huge difference! CLS is a god send!!! I didn't fire the built-in flash, all of it was through 1 x SB-600.

The DOF is very thin on the 85. I have to be careful when I stand close to the subject as that will cause one half of her face to go out of focus.

Just a few more. I had a look through that I thought could be saved.





At 100%, you can tell that one eye is a little softer than the other. More practise i need!

WOW, very nice!

Nice photos! Can't tell you used the flash, blends very well!

5th one is best CTM.

also obasan's post is getting better and better hahahha

Here are a few more shots from the same shoot.





This shot maybe a little too much saturation. But I thought it looked cool

Well done!
Great work.