BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Problems with Images

JAMK Photography		Group Photo Can anyone tell me, why when I take a group photo/portrait the end person is slightly out of focus? I'm thinking it's something to do with my depth of field but I'm not sure if it's something else I'm doing wrong. I've used f/8 but do you think f/16 might do the trick. I'm taking an outdoor group photo for the staff of a small local newspaper next week so any help would be helpful. Thanks, Steve To love this question, log in above March 10, 2005

Bob Cammarata		This may be due to a deficiency in lens design. Many lenses,...especially zooms, lose sharpness toward the outside of the frame. The easiest way to correct this with the lens you have, is to back up a few steps,...increasing the distance-to-subject,...and have the group scrunch together a little more toward the center of the frame. To love this comment, log in above March 11, 2005

JAMK Photography		Thanks Bob, I was using my 28-200mm lens, I might try my 18-70mm lens and have them move to the center of the frame. Steve To love this comment, log in above March 11, 2005

BetterPhoto Member		Zoom out, crop in If you have alot of pixels, 8.0 is fine my 20x24 is perfect and thats not even shooting RAW. To love this comment, log in above March 11, 2005

JAMK Photography		Steven, Thanks for the info. I currently have a Nikon D70, 6mp. I'll try that zoom out crop in. Aloha, Steve To love this comment, log in above March 11, 2005

Jennifer L. Bales		If it's a LARGE group, you might want to try your 18-55 lens for the wider angle. :o) Jen To love this comment, log in above March 23, 2005

Kerry L. Walker		Use a prime lens. I know zooms have improved over the years but they still aren't (in my humble opinion) up to the quality of a prime. To love this comment, log in above March 23, 2005

Mikki Cowles		I've also heard that if you have a large spread of people, the ones on the end are going to be OoF because they are further away...therefore, if you can not 'squish' them together, then make the line a slight semicircle to keep then in focus--that is, have the people on the ends come in a little closer to stay in the focal plane...just my two cents... To love this comment, log in above March 23, 2005

JAMK Photography		Thanks everyone for your response. Steve To love this comment, log in above March 23, 2005

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