Portraits shoot with Canon macro 100mm f2.8L lens


That image still looks a little blurred, and low lighting.
What was the shutter speed? Did you sharpen your image after you resized it?
Place your subject in front of a lighter background too, her hair blends into the background.
Seriously, indoor shots with standard indoor lighting really need a flash. Inbuilt flash is probably better than no flash.
FYI, some lens have troubles focusing in low light.

This shot I set to M mode and using external flash with difusser.

EXIF:
ISO:200
Aperture :f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focal length: 100mm
 

This shot I set to M mode and using external flash with difusser.

EXIF:
ISO:200
Aperture :f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focal length: 100mm

I'm no Pro, but we share the same hobby & this is what I think you missed.

Step Back a Little further

Try to Spot Meter your Daughter's Face 1st using Av Mode

Focus the Spot on the Nose

Re-Compose, then take the shot

Juz my 2 cents worth :)

I say again...I'm not a Pro...:)
 

This shot I set to M mode and using external flash with difusser.

EXIF:
ISO:200
Aperture :f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focal length: 100mm

bro... try pushing your ISO to 800... With 7D i believe you wont get much noise... I also believe you need much higher shutter speed to get a sharp image as you have a long lens here... Try using S mode and set your shutter speed to 200 and ISO to 800-1000... Just a suggestion and see if you can achieve better results...vcheers ;)
 

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This shot I set to M mode and using external flash with difusser.

EXIF:
ISO:200
Aperture :f2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Focal length: 100mm

Couldn't really tell you used a flash :confused:

I don't see much use doing F2.8 on that shot, since you won't get much bokeh from the background at that distance. You'll end up with thin DOF at the risk of missing your focal area (typically the eyes).

Since you used flash, your shutter speed will be fast enough to do smaller aperture.
Why not try aperture mode with F5.6 -> F8, and ISO 200, and let the camera figure out the shutter speed (which will probably be the min. 1/60sec for indoor lighting).
 

I'm no Pro, but we share the same hobby & this is what I think you missed.

Step Back a Little further

Try to Spot Meter your Daughter's Face 1st using Av Mode

Focus the Spot on the Nose

Re-Compose, then take the shot

Juz my 2 cents worth

I say again...I'm not a Pro...:)

bro... try pushing your ISO to 800... With 7D i believe you wont get much noise... I also believe you need much higher shutter speed to get a sharp image as you have a long lens here... Try using S mode and set your shutter speed to 200 and ISO to 800-1000... Just a suggestion and see if you can achieve better results...vcheers ;)

Couldn't really tell you used a flash :confused:

I don't see much use doing F2.8 on that shot, since you won't get much bokeh from the background at that distance. You'll end up with thin DOF at the risk of missing your focal area (typically the eyes).

Since you used flash, your shutter speed will be fast enough to do smaller aperture.
Why not try aperture mode with F5.6 -> F8, and ISO 200, and let the camera figure out the shutter speed (which will probably be the min. 1/60sec for indoor lighting).

Thanks for provide great tips for improve the picture..;)
Will try another shot and post it for review..:)
 

jocob,
try this,

forget about using ISO 200, try 400
forget about blending the ambient unless window and daylight is in the frame,
use ceiling bounce, turn and aim the flash head slightly behind you and dial + compensation if you need to,
use f4, go closer, show two hands completely (I let you figure out how to pose her)
distance of subject to background = 2X or more (distance of camera to subject)
 

jocob,
try this,

forget about using ISO 200, try 400
forget about blending the ambient unless window and daylight is in the frame,
use ceiling bounce, turn and aim the flash head slightly behind you and dial + compensation if you need to,
use f4, go closer, show two hands completely (I let you figure out how to pose her)
distance of subject to background = 2X or more (distance of camera to subject)

Alright, I'll do that in this coming few day...:thumbsup:
 

Your shots are a bit too dark?
 

Latest shot with following EXIF:
ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
Aperture: f/4

External Flash with ceiling bounce.

4789481083_911ee98175_b.jpg


It's okay with me..;)

How about all Master "SiFu" ?
 

send me a full res jpg, I run a small action, downsize and show you side by side.
 

i think u use ur bounce card better...have some catchlight in ur daughter's eyes...with flash u can use lower iso since ur background not dark at all
 

By the looks of her skin, it's really hard to tell that you even used a flash, it's hard to describe, but it looks grainy, blotchy to me.
 

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Thanks for the useful guide from Benjamin aka catchlights..:thumbsup:

Now I can see the different of both pictures: :lovegrin:

Recent Picture
4777319560_6e5dc9849c.jpg


After PP @ Guide by catchlights
4791207225_fa0181d468.jpg
 

i have this lens on 5D Mk2. f2.8 is very narrow depth of field, hence a number of portrait pics that i have taken also look "soft". Agreed with comments of others.... need to use higher f stop. The lens Construction quality is excellent, weight is well balanced.
 

i have this lens on 5D Mk2. f2.8 is very narrow depth of field, hence a number of portrait pics that i have taken also look "soft". Agreed with comments of others.... need to use higher f stop. The lens Construction quality is excellent, weight is well balanced.

Not only the camera setting/setup, the post pocessing (by software) also take important role for produce a great picture..:)
 

Last edited:
Thanks for the useful guide from Benjamin aka catchlights..:thumbsup:

Now I can see the different of both pictures: :lovegrin:

Recent Picture
4777319560_6e5dc9849c.jpg


After PP @ Guide by catchlights
4791207225_fa0181d468.jpg

Hmmm TS if you just give the edited pic a second glance you can tell its very unnatural because of the over-sharpening you used to get a focused picture. I still feel that you should push the f number higher to f8, especially with external flash.

I have shot varying shots of a static toy with f numbers from f2.8 - f8 with my macro non L. The results shows that the depth of field increases only very slightly. Im not sure if it happens because its a macro lens and its nature is to exaggerate bokeh, but i can tell you are holding back from experimenting the aperture and the settings.

How about try to post pics of your daugther shot with settings of up to f8 with similar lighting, and we see what is the problem?
Another method i can suggest is to use another lens that is not macro. If you too use f4, the picture should not appear so soft.

@Catchlights, may i know what is the benefit of downsizing the pic and how do you get catchlights in the model's eyes?

Hope my comment will help you to experiment with the other settings and modes more confidently. I generally use AV mode to shoot people ;p
 

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