Full body model shots

noone

I've started shooting models but I'm not happy with some of my full-length results, particularly when I shoot with my canon ef-s 18-55 f3.5-5.6 IS. I find that some of the shots are soft. Sometimes this is caused by canon's autofocus but I wonder if it's because I'm using a cheap kit lens. The softness is not a result of hand movement because I'm shooting 1/80 or faster.

I have af/exposure locked together on my xsi.

Also, any recommendations on what focal length to use for full body shots? I've tried everywhere from 18 to 55 but I haven't found a particular length that I prefer. I know it varies depending on model, pose and location. I'm just looking for preferences and or recommendations.

dangin

some sample images w/ EXIF data would help to troubleshoot this.

Tim Kamppinen

It could still be camera shake. 55mm on a 1.6x crop sensor is the same magnification as an 88mm lens on full frame, so you're right at the edge of what most people would be able to handhold. Try taking a some shots with the popup flash or with a higher ISO just to see if there's a difference in sharpness. If you see a significant improvement then your problem is probably the shutter speed. (Of course, this might not apply if you were shooting at 18mm for these particular shots...)

Trevlan

I agree with Tim. Still can be camera shake.

Why are you shooting at such a slow shutter speed anyway? Too slow for the flash to be the main, and too fast for the abient to be the main. Can you show us some pictures?

With two flashes, I light an entire room, the model, and stuff I don't want to light. lol. What's your set up?

noone

Sample pics
Thanks for your feedback so far. I've created an unlisted gallery. Password is dgrin
http://chrisnoone.smugmug.com/gallery/8751076_73Ncd#579071718_hCKg8


Most of these photos are unprocessed files to show what I initially got. My setup for full body shots is canon xsi with a prime 50 1.8 or 18-55 kit lens with one 430 II flash, which I use strictly as a fill light. I go for natural light with some fill (never direct) because I don't like the look of one flash shots, especially when I don't yet have a off-camera flash set-up yet. I also don't fully understand the flash yet as it sometimes defaults to 1/200 shutter speed and then I have to override (close down) the aperture to get the right exposure. But then, I lose the depth of field that I'm going for.

ISo is usually around 200/400, but in some shots I have it cranked to 800 or even 1600. The model on the brick wall was shot at 1600 ISO in very poor light, hence the grain. The dancer shots, the last four in the gallery, were the most bothersome as I was using the 18-55 on either one shot AF or AI focus (which moves with the subject).

Anyways, hope this helps. I'm mainly looking for feedback on focal length and angles. I'm not sure if I'm shooting too far out or have the camera at the right height.

Scott_Quier

Can't speak to the rest of them (because you didn't load up the originals for inspection) but #2 suffers from camera shake. The first clue is the shutter speed (1/30 at 50mm). And, you can see it in the specular highlights on her jewelry. It also looks like you've missed focus - some of her hair on the right side of her face appears to be a little sharper than do her eyes. But, because of the camera shake, it's a little hard to tell for sure.