Is f1.2 better than f11 for portraits? Don't make this portrait mistake.

[@mskvarenina]

Great video as always Sal, you’re a real pro at both photography (of course) and putting together these educational vids. I definitely like the shallow DOF better, draws my attention to the model and not everything else I’m frame.

[@SalCincotta1]

I appreciate that! Its my goal... down and dirty to the point... happy to see this feedback!

[@enaid54]

Love this! I love the colors this brought out in her skin. Beautiful!

[@on-linesafaritours]

Sal, love this video. You really got some great shots. And Faren is Beautifull

[@olegsemenov2835]

Super video ,Sal! And yes- f/1.2 is much better. )) Many thanks for tips!

[@rolandpeddle9049]

Stumbled on you site by mistake. I have watched the first two seasons of the Creator series and loving what I am hearing and seeing. I personally love the shallower depth of field and you cannot go wrong with buying a canon. Looking forward to more. Keep up the fabulous work and you are know on my bucket list to meet, along with John Greengo and Jerry Ghionis.

[@SalCincotta1]

ty so much!!! :)

[@anitastevens9969]

Awesome video Sal. Love the 1.2 DOF.

[@SalCincotta1]

Thanks 👍

[@hughchristie4200]

Shallow depth of field for me Sal 🔥🔥👌🏾

[@SalCincotta1]

agreed.

[@stephanepiquet6651]

Thanks for the aspect ratio Tip Sal very helpful! 😀🤙

[@deewonda1952]

Hi Sal! I shoot mainly with an 85mm on my workhorse 5D Mark II (saving towards getting an R5!). Yes, shooting that wide open is scary to me but seeing how you set the shot up is helpful. This will work when I'm doing on location headshots and I want a busy background to go soft. Thank you!

[@SalCincotta1]

awesome ty so much. so something else to keep in mind... i have found that w mirrorless f1.2 is MUCH sharper than w DSLR... so i think you will be very happy when you switch.

[@deewonda1952]

I ABSOLUTELY KNOW I WILL!@@SalCincotta1

[@Dahliawoman]

Can you put the images side by side?

[@SalCincotta1]

well... crap... i cant now. :) but good feedback for future vids... :)

[@iunderstanphotography2780]

I always liked Sal and his style of teaching. A friend I know shoots beauty at low apeture and I don't know how! Turning the lights way down helps lol I need more of the face and eyes in focus but the separation from the background is very nice, and something I can use in my small studio ps that chocolate goddess, yes!

[@jrmandrial]

Sal, what light meter is that? And can you use it outside? Shallow DOF gets my vote.

[@SalCincotta1]

ty ty. yes - to outside.. and this is the sekonic light meter.

[@mikel5094]

DOF is defiantly awesome. , Are you using 2 fj200 one for the backdrop and the other in the beauty dish ?

[@mikel5094]

I just replayed it. Got my answer

[@SalCincotta1]

perfect!

[@mikel5094]

Hi Sal I mean to ask what’s the Kaven are you set too 5600k ?

[@SalCincotta1]

5500 @@mikel5094

[@mikel5094]

@@SalCincotta1 thank you 🙌🏽

[@ritrattoaziendale]

If you provide untouched images (typically jpeg's at events) or there's no budget for PP, then cropping in camera may have sense to speed up the workflow in post, as the images are already crop-ready; but if I've time (and budget) to work on the picture, like at a wedding, I think it's best to shoot full res and then crop later, so I can choose lesser crop (maybe just 1.3x/1.4x) and lose less resolution, especially on cameras like R6 (like I have), R6II ad R3, where the 1.6x crop would result in 7,5/9mpx final from the original 20/24mpx, which is a res where you risk if bride&groom want to print something larger then 30/40cm on the long side.

[@phyllisdantzler]

Those last 3 were BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the shallow depth of field!🥰

[@SalCincotta1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lindacarroll6077]

Love the shallow depth of field ... will have to convince my daughter to come in so I can practice on her! Great video. Love these.

[@SalCincotta1]

Have fun! and THANK YOU!!

[@JGZphotography]

Good informational video for newcomer photographers to understand DOF. But, is there a reason to change the crop mode on the Canon R5 to 1.6x, when taking the full frame and cropping in post to 1.6x yields identical results with no degradation of the image? The full frame CR3 on an R5 is 56mb, and in-camera sensor cropping to 1.6x produces about 25mb, or a reduction of 31mb. Cropping the R5's CR3 in post yeilds a similar mb count. While the Canon R5 can simulate the crop of a 135 mm lens when using an 85mm, wouldn't taking the shot with a real 135 mm take advantage of the entire 45 MP count of the R5, or whatever camera is used, for maximum detail. The alternative is to get 1.6x closer to the subject, but at f/1.2, the DOF gets mighty thin.

[@SalCincotta1]

i would always use the correct focal length. that was not my point... it was if you dont have it... or are in the middle of a shoot and need to adjust quickly, etc. hth.

[@jimhawthorn6932]

Gotta go with the shallow DOF Sal, thanks for doing these short videos.

[@SalCincotta1]

Glad you like them!

[@okeefest]

What is the benefit of a DX crop in camera versus cropping the full frame image in post?

[@SalCincotta1]

maybe not much... just allows you to shoot it cropped right in camera. some people - myself included - like to see final... but to your point - same can be done in post.

[@christophera.turner3394]

As always Sal, informative and helpful. Question Sal, are you originally from NY? As a NYer that accent of yours harkens memories of home.

[@SalCincotta1]

haha. yes i am. brooklyn ny!! :)

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Its more like a 136mm at f1.92 when using a 1.6 crop.

[@wendystumbaugh695]

I definitely like shallow DoF when I’m shooting on anything other than a solid backdrop. I absolutely adore the clarity of my subject at f/8 in my studio.

[@SalCincotta1]

amen to that!

[@aussie2uGA]

F8 for the win if you ever do subject extraction off the background. You’ll never achieve a clean extraction with a shallow DOF

[@tommy2z2z]

Punching up on the sensor to crop mode is killer! I use it on my Nikons.

[@mikhailmc0]

When you crop in doesn't DOF also change closer to f1.9 although its still f1.2 light gathering at 135?

[@SalCincotta1]

im not sure i follow... exposure doesnt change at al.

[@mikhailmc0]

@@SalCincotta1 not exposure but DOF. because I use a m43 setup the challenge with the crop is the DOF change. exposure remains at f1.2. however with the crop at 135mm there will still be a thin DOF but with a little less bokeh. just wanted to confirm that detail. love the your vids and keep up the good work!

[@maryholt5367]

Definitely shallow depth of field! ❤

[@SalCincotta1]

mine too!

[@sandyburch7820]

The shallow depth of field!! All were beautiful but the last two were my favorites!!!

[@SalCincotta1]

agreed.

[@leroytademy]

Dang I like both! Going with the 1.2 at the 1.6 crop. Great video!

[@SalCincotta1]

ty my man!

[@GeraldTookes]

This was a great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@SalCincotta1]

You are so welcome!

[@luissalazar2021]

Yeah you’re always amazing, I just love your style and your freaking personality bro, you’re Amazing! Thank you for sharing .

[@SalCincotta1]

appreciate you brother! working hard thats for sure.

[@CreativeDEZ]

All of the images looked great. My Nikon Z9 have that crop ability, I use it from time to time

[@SalCincotta1]

its a neat little feature for sure.

[@waynosfotos]

And to think a person was arguing with Ray Roman that you were actors in the Death Valley wedding video. Now you are a household photography name in ANY household at over 1.6 million subs! Gr8 work to you both Cincotta's

[@SalCincotta1]

haha... i never knew that... thats some funny shit. i would have loved to see that post.

[@waynosfotos]

@@SalCincotta1 it should still be there on yourube. 👍

[@SalCincotta1]

@@waynosfotos do you have a link? I don’t even know where to look or is it on our wedding video?

[@waynosfotoscameras]

@@SalCincotta1 it was your wedding video on Ray's KZbin channel, but Ray must of removed it as I just went through every comment and couldn't find it. The OP was claiming it was all staged and you two were actors. I also commented that they are real and with a little research you can find them. That you were a real couple and very accomplished photographers. Amazing what haters will post 🤣. Not sure how close you and Ray are (message him) but he commented too. He may remember the comment. 😂

[@ZachDalin]

1.2 all day long! Beautiful shots

[@SalCincotta1]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jessestarks3128]

It like shooting full body closer to wide open but will stop down as I move in closer.

[@PeterBailley]

Thanks for the insight into photo choices! Let me also be contrary for a few minutes. One thing I notice... in addition to the eyes, I want the "whole face," including the tip of the nose, to be in focus. There's more depth of field behind the point of focus than in front of the point of focus. If you focus strictly on the pupil, some of the depth of field is being wasted behind the point of focus, literally toward the background, which you are trying to blur as much as possible. So really, the point of focus should be shifted slightly in front of the eyes, if that's required to have the eyes and the tip of the nose "equally sharp," or to be more technical, with equal circles of confusion. (Other things enter here, degree of enlargement, display medium, viewing distance, but we'll ignore.) Granted, this may not come into play with most people-portraits. But there some reasonably typical portraits where it does come into play: portraits of or including a dog, especially a dog with a long snout... or portraits where the subject is pointing or holding something toward the camera, often found in environmental, sports and senior portraits. Too many times I see the eyes tack sharp, but the snout (or football or device or hand toward camera, etc) is a blur. I find that disturbing. Not only because of the blur, but from what I perceive as a bad choice on the part of the photographer (or subject, depending on whose idea it was). When I look at a dog, or someone holding something toward me, I perceive the entire "subject" in focus -- focus being a metaphor for awareness. I'm aware of the entire subject, not only the eyes. Thus, the "subject" is the person and "whatever the person is engaged with." If that "whatever" is toward the camera, the photographer might choose/need f8 (or 11 or 22 or 64) to get the entire subject in focus. If that causes problems, separating the subject from the background, that points to a problem with the design of the photo. If the subject is so close to the background that you can't achieve the subject-background separation you want, using the f-stop required for the subject... the photographer might need different pose, different location, post-production blurring, etc, etc. Again, thanks for the thought provoking video!

[@SalCincotta1]

youre not wrong on the nose... fair point for sure.

[@112206maximus]

Shallow DOF however I personally cannot afford the 1.2 RF. Always like to watch your videos and learning a lot. 👍🏼

[@SalCincotta1]

Right on!

[@jhenry248]

Definitely shallow DOF is my favorite, great video as always.

[@SalCincotta1]

Mine too!

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

It all depends upon the camera format that you're using and the look that you're trying to achieve, F1.2 looks different on full frame, APSC and micro 4/3 focal length and distance from your subject will also determine your depth of field.

[@shannonp7911]

Love the shallow DOF!

[@SalCincotta1]

yes indeed!

[@danad8716]

Excellent video! As the saying goes, "butter it up."

[@SalCincotta1]

Exactly!

[@JeffCreates]

I think it's probably the busy nature of the backgrounds, but that 1.2 background doesn't look right at all. I'd assume the bokeh is normally very nice, but in this instance it's not. I much prefer the clarity of the f8...and I'm normally at f1.8 for portraits. Nice comparison though.

[@SalCincotta1]

appreciate it !!

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

I don't know why anyone would prefer other than shallow depth of field, when the subject's face is the very meaning of the portrait.

[@gregshawphotography8828]

I definitely like doing a shallow DOF on a busy back ground, but on a solid background I us f/8

[@SalCincotta1]

gives a good look for sure.

[@edross2826]

It wouldn't be better to get closer instead of cropping the sensor and losing info?. I'm just a pixel holic I don't want to lose any information, otherwise, why get a hight megapixel camera.

[@SalCincotta1]

for when you cant, right? can i turn a 200mm into a 300mm? if im shooting wild life or sports? in this case there was a table in the way. this is no different than hollywood shooting 8k video to punch in or pan and zoom. youre not using 40-50meg to print. i promise you.. these print 20x30 with no loss of detail. :)

[@edross2826]

@@SalCincotta1 Definitely useful for those scenarios. Thanks, man I enjoy watching your videos. Great stuff

[@Keith80027]

Love the look of F1.4 to F1.2. Just need to buy a 85 f1.2.

[@gvasquez330]

To each their own taste. I like both. Learned something new with the crop aspect on my R5 Thanks.

[@brodieledfordstudios1480]

It is a cool and useful feature! I believe most FF mirrorless bodies have some form of this feature you just have to dig around in the menu a bit.

[@SalCincotta1]

Right on!

[@pcblensman]

Good stuff

[@SalCincotta1]

Appreciate it

[@djrocko1200]

I absolutely just prefer shooting portraits at 1.2 Great work as always sir

[@SalCincotta1]

ty ty

[@30dcanon]

1.2 all day!! I personally love shallow depth portraits. Plan to get the RF 85 1.2. And yea, if it’s not RF, it ain’t right!! 😁

[@SalCincotta1]

Totally agree! You will love it. its my go to portrait lens.

[@bobyounger3789]

Dude did not know that about the aspect ratio on my R5 thanks!!!

[@SalCincotta1]

you are very welcome!

[@silverdoggg]

of course there's no wrong way to shoot it but put that 85 1.2 at something like f4-f5.6 and we're talking about God tier sharpness AND separation

[@SalCincotta1]

lol... so true!

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!

[@SalCincotta1]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jerrym8140]

Open it up my friend ❤❤ Sure there is a time and place for wanting more in focus but in general I’m the same way as you, open it up baby 😁

[@SalCincotta1]

Yes! Thank you!

[@dozabear181]

But isn't cropping in just effectively "zooming" in? Couldn't you walk closer to your subject, if you had the room? Cropping doesn't necessarily apply any compression as a true 135 would.

[@SalCincotta1]

true. but you cant always move closer... which in this video i had a table there. if im at a wedding... it allows me to punch in. its no different than video and how 8k video is used to pan and zoom.

[@steveperryphoto431]

I prefer the shallow depth of field. I shoot the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 and I love it.

[@SalCincotta1]

GREAT LENS!!

[@jasonthompson2364]

Definitely 1.2

[@SalCincotta1]

yes!

[@clarkconway8796]

No contest! f1.2 all day💜

[@SalCincotta1]

Agreed!!

[@frankline.gonzalez-dwindt2355]

Thank you!!!! just a comment as you said it's just a style not a mistake

[@SalCincotta1]

absolutely!!

[@brucenichols7760]

Shallow depth of field, absolutely.

[@SalCincotta1]

100%

[@vladbox1]

F1.2 is buttery but clients (especially corporate) dont like them, so I compromise F5.6 to F8......

[@SalCincotta1]

agreed!

[@JohnWirick-k9n]

I love that you are lighting from the perspective of the window rather than fighting it. Oh, and Brodie absolutely killed it as your lighting assistant.

[@brodieledfordstudios1480]

Thanks John 😁 It was a great shoot!

[@SalCincotta1]

tyty

[@michaelallen6144]

Nice!

[@SalCincotta1]

Thanks!

[@brianasealy6257]

Well I have NEVER seen anyone talk about using the crop method that was COOL as heck! My favorite were those!! Love your content always have! ❤

[@SalCincotta1]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@richardgollar6300]

Shallow depth of field all day long. My RF85 f1.2 is my favorite lens period.

[@SalCincotta1]

AGREED!! ty ty.

[@manoharmgr8235]

SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST VIDEOS நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் ,CHENNAI -R.MANOHAR(MGR) INDIA,*

[@SalCincotta1]

ty ty!!

[@dt_kathybrown]

Both looks are very, very different and I hadn't really considered going 1.2 before ... I am not though! The last image was my favorite, Faren you look gorgeous!

[@SalCincotta1]

Great to hear!

[@tammie2222]

Shallow all day!

[@SalCincotta1]

yepper!

[@nigelpugh7003]

Shallow

[@SalCincotta1]

yepper!

[@samsungmobilesamsung9840]

⁰😅😅 0:25

[@johnnywestmoreland7667]

F8 was better for me

[@SalCincotta1]

ty!