How to Get Sharp Focus Portraits with a Low F-Stop | Portrait Photography Tips

Do you ever feel the need to choose between gorgeous bokeh and getting SHARP focus? If so, this video is for you! You'll learn 7 Pro Tips on how to get sharp focus portraits even when photographing with low apertures (F/1.4, F/1.8, F/2.8, etc) and shallow depth of field!
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CAMERAS
Nikon D4 amzn.to/2Klb4UU
Nikon Z6 Mirrorless www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3JVDJC?
LENSES
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 [MUST HAVE LENS]: amzn.to/2r7tfFv
Nikon 85mm 1.4 [FAVORITE LENS!]: amzn.to/2Fp2W1K
Nikon 105mm 2.8 VR Macro: amzn.to/2HAG2q5
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR: amzn.to/2KoQMdc
Nikon 24mm 1.4: amzn.to/2HByKGA
Nikon 50mm 1.4: amzn.to/2JDlZbn
KZbin KIT:
Camera: Sony A7s amzn.to/2zgRRCg
Sound: Sennheiser lavalier amzn.to/2MSYZXw
Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro
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ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
If you ever struggle with nailing focus on fast paced shoots and getting consistently SHARP focus photos, you're definitely not alone. How to take sharp portraits is of the most common questions I get from my students, even ones who are established and have been photographing professionally for years.
Many people are surprised to find out that, for most of my photos, I shoot wide open with a low f-stop (f/2.8, f/1.4, etc.) because I love the shallow depth of field and depth it gives my portraits. And what I've discovered is many photographer believe a common misconception that they have to increase their aperture in order to get sharp images. But the truth is, you can have BOTH! There's no need to sacrifice that creamy bokeh we love. To get sharp focus with a low aperture you just need the right techniques. And in this video, which is part 1 on a series I'm doing on getting sharper photos, I'm going to be sharing 5 in-camera portrait photography tips that I use when shooting (+ two bonus tips at the end!) that will have you on your way to sharper images and feeling more confident on your shoots!
xoxo
Chelsea Nicole

[@ChelseaNicole]

*UPDATE* : Thanks for all the requests everyone! Just shared a new video for you guys all on lens calibration!! 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WkiIGZbbR8oK8

[@JM-kd4zw]

another awesome video. worth pointing out that lens calibration is not required (from what I understood at the end of the video) for mirrorless.

[@miaeskin]

Thanks so much for this video! Sharp focus has always been something I struggle with. I can’t wait for part 2 of this series!!

[@AnaMariaNLS]

So I have autism and I am a photographer and you help me so much I really appreciate it! You explain so well

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thank you so much Ana 🤗💗💗

[@theEphraimLevine]

Thanks for this! Really important point when moving focus points especially on Canon 5D4 is that not all the focus points give tac sharp images wide open. Unless using the middle column of focus points you need to stop down to f4 or 5.6. This is in the manual and I discovered this when shooting too. The other focus points simply don't give tac sharp images. Happy to hear other views. Thanks Chelsea for these vids!

[@user-mx8py3yv8r]

Another amazing video, Chelsea! I always learn so much from each one. Thanks for providing REAL content for viewers.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks PG!! 🤗❤️

[@gingerhuff9369]

I LOVE your videos! I’m learning so much and you’re helping me get to my photography goals! 🌈🔥

[@tereguzman1010]

I am so glad I found your videos, they’re so helpful, thanks a lot.

[@clairesschoolofphotography1767]

You are so smiley and fun! Im so glad your channel popped up. Ray of sunshine! I love that you have D4 too 😊

[@raphaeltembo4380]

Thank you so much. I’ve been focusing and recomposing so much 😅you’ve got a new subscriber 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@moidutoiphotography8427]

Always great content! Thank you Chelsea and Bella xxx

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks girl! From both me & Bella! 🐶🤗💗

[@jamescabrera3655]

Thank you Chelsea for the very informative video, so helpful!!

[@joannefelipa367]

Just found your channel and I've never subscribed faster. Thank you for explaining everything in a simple way while it is clear that you do know it all in detail. I've been really frustrated with my soft focus and I've been really struggling with focus & recompose. Sounds like a great plan for me to just ditch this all together! My current camera only has focus points in the center (beginner DSLR) but I'm upgrading to a full frame mirrorless soon and I can't wait.

[@lizle9322]

Such awesome tips Chelsea! Love your videos!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Liz! Happy you liked the tips! 🤗📸

[@sarahpinto]

Such a clear, concise video. Thank you!

[@JOEHUSTLE125]

I love that this video is by a nikon shooter that explains stuff in a clear way

[@JOEHUSTLE125]

@@danielisola2885 I just reported you lml

[@danielisola2885]

@@JOEHUSTLE125 👍🏼

[@cathrynjames7915]

Great tips! You’re a natural in front of the video!

[@brettmaguire6973]

Wow - this was next level instruction! Eager to see what you have to say about calibration. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@vivahabbitvanassen]

Thank you so much I’m so glad I found you this was great.

[@foveonyc]

Great simple tips! Thank You!

[@photologic5900]

Wow thanks for the tip on focus and recompose. Really helpful, bro.

[@LadyJaneG]

I’m a new subscriber . Really enjoy your videos.. so CLEAR , NO nonsense... just awesome TO THE POINT information! Thank you ❤️

[@ChelseaNicole]

Aww!! 🥰 I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed my videos Jane! Thanks for the sweet message and subscribe!! 🙏🏻❤️

[@AlexKingCreative]

Amazing content. Thanks so much Chelsea 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks so much Alex!! 😊💗

[@rickmurphy3327]

Thank you! This is excellent!!

[@Fahdingding]

Wow... I've learned so much about portrait photography in just about 10 minutes... Thank you.

[@emmevanbeek7614]

Thank you for sharing this info. So many photographers don't want to share info so I really appreciate it!!! PS Love your hair!!!!

[@JayneNicoletti]

This is so helpful. Thank you!

[@gingerhuff9369]

This was so helpful!! Thank you!

[@VarinderKumar-yc4jc]

Thanks for sharing your priceless experience

[@Cuitcell]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing

[@bigchestflex]

Great tutorial, thank you!

[@Corty993]

Great tips! I used to shoot at one 60th handle held. As I got older, I had to increase my shutter speed for sharper images.

[@aql7315]

Keep up the good work. Appreciate it 👏

[@ajazahmed3694]

Great information Chelsea 🌹👍

[@ricferr6945]

I just love your hair colors !

[@roselindthomas1]

Thank you for explaining and going into detail...from a newbie trying to take pics in manual nikon d3400

[@Daniellethedaisy]

Such great tips! I'm excited to see the video of how you make your photos so gorgeous looking and so bright and airy looking. Since my goal is to learn how to make my photos look more like that. Since i love the natural look to photos:)

[@ChelseaNicole]

Aww Thank you so much!! 😊🙏🏻❤️ Part 2 of this series is up! But def also check out my light and airy shooting and editing playlist. This style is my jam, so I have lots of videos on it (and more coming!)

[@hurleygreen927]

Great information! I have a Nikon D750 and my favorite lens is the classic nifty 50mm 1.8 and I love shooting at wide open apertures in low light. THANKS for this...

[@ChelseaNicole]

Part ✌️is up!!! Breaking down how to EDIT sharp portraits in Lightroom! Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpO4f6ilq7OkbtU

[@barkyvonschnauzer2188]

Thanks 😍 Chelsea. Now I know where I was making a mistake with recomposing. 😘

[@jpsanchez50]

Awesome video, thanks for the tips!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks JP!! 🤗

[@susanvilardi6173]

Very helpful. Thank You.

[@ecelmaelagudas4333]

You deserve a million subs. ❤️❤️❤️ This is so informative

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thank you so much for your support! I'm happy I could help 😊

[@yourethemanz330]

Thank you so much.. Looking forward to see more of your videos...

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks for the support! Lots more coming your way! :)

[@anayost2371]

Very helpful thank you !

[@courtronaldinho]

I like your way to explain reason respectively 🤝💪 .. go on 💪💪

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Hi, thanks for the great tips!..

[@beverlywalker8853]

Very helpful video, Thank You!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Beverly! Happy it was helpful! 🤗

[@Mr09260]

Great advice Chelsea

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Really useful thank you.

[@lescobrandon3047]

Since the days of the D200, I just lock focus with 3D focus tracking and the focus point follows the target. And I get razor sharp pics every time.

[@backporchcreative]

Thank you, your videos are so helpful. And I would LOVE calibration tips!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Jamie! 🤗 I'm so happy they've been helpful! Looking forward to sharing a video on calibration soon!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Hey Jamie, It's up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WkiIGZbbR8oK8

[@backporchcreative]

@@ChelseaNicole thank you so much! I'll check it out!

[@beverlybasden2648]

Great Job!

[@ajazahmed3694]

Fantastic technique great video

[@cstratag4946]

Yesss so glad I came across your channel again. You make amazing/workable content. Thank you. 🔔 on lol

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks so much for the support! 🙏 I'm so happy you found me again too! :)

[@tomcrawford8652]

Hi Chelsea, really enjoyed the video and will look for the one on lens calibration that you mentioned. Tom

[@joycescully3155]

Thank you. Just starting

[@rach186]

Love this video. I would love if you could do some videos on reception photography… indoor & outdoor 🙌🏽

[@zirkarana]

I love you! The end! :)

[@ersinkacan9924]

I loved it :)

[@marlie41]

Another great video! Eager to see part 2.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Marlie! 🤗 Excited to share part 2 with you!

[@thejaysehansen]

Lens Calibration! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WkiIGZbbR8oK8

[@thejaysehansen]

Sharp GROUP Portraits is up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3SUioStp8x2g7c

[@kevinpr007]

Super good explanation even for pro photographers 💪🏽💪🏽🎉🎉

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Kevin!! 😄🙏🏻

[@AShoutIntoTheVoid]

Thanks for this! Going to immediately go find that lens calibration video.

[@ChelseaNicole]

You're so welcome!! 🤗 Hope it was helpful!

[@xeler8r]

Focal plane like a sheet of paper is brilliant. I knew that, but you illustrate it really well here. I think that’s why mine are always off! Ty ty!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks xeler8r! Glad you liked the visual comparing focal plane to a sheet of paper. 🙂 Keeping it in mind makes such a huge difference when photographing at low f-stops!

[@jasoncollins4088]

Did you have something to say? It seems your previous comment on my post has vanished.

[@kissesincharleston]

Well done!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Arthur!! 🙂

[@CadeBergmann]

so helpful!

[@PrairieValleyProjects]

New subscriber 😀🇨🇦 awesome video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Smoothblue90]

Good information. Good video.

[@Smoothblue90]

First. I like you. Good to have you back.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Aww thanks Tim! 🤗I love creating videos for you guys!

[@goldfinch2283]

Very good tutorial! Just subscribed.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Happy you found this tutorial helpful! So great to connect! 🙂

[@teyaparker3872]

Thanks for the tips Chelsea! Great info about lens calibration too! Where did you get that gorgeous necklace? I love it 😍

[@wadettem]

Love that i found you and your Chanel

[@ChelseaNicole]

So happy to have you here Miss LuLu! 🤗

[@thejaysehansen]

Third!!! This trips me up the most - I'm always disappointed in my auto focus, and I'm on Sony - but I finally found how to get the single point focus to be manual set like you have it! Big difference!

[@ChelseaNicole]

That's awesome! Single point focus all the way! 🙌Though Sony has fantastic eye tracking as well for moving subjects!

[@thejaysehansen]

@@ChelseaNicole No YOU'RE AWESOME!!

[@ChelseaNicole]

😘❤️

[@UliSeng]

another fabulous video. Yes, please do one on lens calibration

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Pachrian! :)

[@darbyfaccinto4384]

All hail the portrait queen!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Haha, thanks Darby! 😘💗

[@meningherme]

Calibration is really interesting!!

[@valentinbarcenas3127]

Thanks for the vid, i just discoverd your chanel, from Tijuana Mexico

[@Jaywifh]

Great job. May I recommend that you keep doing this exact type of video. Even when photographers know some, most, or all of what you showed.... seeing it again, hearing it again, it helps. And sometimes we forget about a small thing. (For me, it was focus on the most forward eye, or, the most forward person). Again, things we often know, but being reminded again is huge. As I have not being doing that as instinctively. Also, yes please to the calibration! You're doing a great Job :)

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks for the wonderful comment Jay! Such great feedback hearing that even those little tips are impactful! 🙂 I'm definitely excited to make more videos like this for you guys!

[@RyHallPhoto]

I agree, Jay. I have to look for videos as SUCH just to remind myself of some of the basic techniques. Or settings I once used and had forgotten all about.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Hey Jay! Just shared the calibration video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WkiIGZbbR8oK8

[@Jaywifh]

Chelsea Nicole Photography Thanks Chelsea! I’ll check it out!

[@mrsdestinyj]

Oooo this is a great video!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Destiny!! 🤗

[@dethonez]

thank you. your tips really work. now the focus point set not in the dead center anymore

[@njnoelia]

thanks for your help :)))

[@cristinasanchez5989]

Great tips!! I am constantly worried about not having sharp photos🙄. I literally was on the hunt for the tool you use for camera calibration yesterday.

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks Cristina! 🤗Hope this video was helpful! Planning on making a calibration video for you guys soon!

[@sherryladislas826]

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. I am very interested in seeing a video on lens calibration. Thanks!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks for your support Sherry! Just shared the lens calibration video as well 🤗 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WkiIGZbbR8oK8 Hope you find it helpful!

[@007Tenalirama]

Thank you so much

[@viciwo3396]

Thanks!

[@sergiogomezphotography]

Nice video, glad I found you, will follow : )

[@vanessajablonsky6471]

Thanks so much for this video! Are you using back button focus?

[@ping-ping9233]

I'm a nikon user your explanation and video helps me a lot esp in portraiture. New subscriber here.

[@judejoseph1923]

Super!!!

[@tysonator5433]

The latest crop of mirrorless cameras like the Canon R5, R6, Sony A7iiii, A9ii to name few. The AF eye detection is amazing and the hit rate is 8 of 10 at least ! I know they are not cheap however the nikon D4 in this video is not cheap either.

[@gm010379]

THANKYOU...

[@jdm.1423]

excellent video, do these tips also apply to mirrorless cameras? I use a Nikon. What mode do you use to shoot or is there a preferred mode you use?

[@darrylstubbs4245]

Great video,I’m a portrait photographer and shoot at 3.5 but I use a canon 851.4 and really should use it for nicer images.I usually click a lot and I’m pretty quick,would it be slowing down shooting by composing then moving the focus point.My images are being published and I know how good 1.4 looks and would love to do a shoot using it.

[@MimoDais]

You're really great.

[@garyadams5201]

A great video Ms. Nicole! Do you ever use back button focus for your portrait sessions (especially with high school seniors)? Thanks! Please keep the great videos coming!

[@dilshanfernandez4788]

I'm Sri Lanka but I really love your photography Technics ❤️👌

[@berniestang2616]

Love your videos... thank u & yes to the calibration video !!! May I ask what lens u had on your Nikon during this video ...?? Thank u !!!

[@ChelseaNicole]

Thanks so much Bernie! 🤗 The lens was Nikon 85mm 1.4 (my fave!!)

[@tomjohnson3728]

I had a camera class back in the film days and the teacher had a bag of cracked clear glass filters. It was his argument that accidents happen and your lens was protected by the filter. But after what you said and because I can't afford expensive lenses I'm going to take them off to see if it effects my focus. Fingers crossed. Cheers!

[@thejaysehansen]

ha! I was taught the same. But those filters really do just ruin photos. Naked glass is best. Just keep the lens caps on when transporting!

[@sherylW315]

Very good point about filters. I hadn’t considered that perspective. Are you self taught or do you have a formal background education in photography?

[@rahmatullahrizieq9379]

thank you

[@tofercarandang]

Waiting for lens calibration video. Love from the Philippines