Stop photographing your portraits WIDE OPEN!

In this video, we're going to dive deep into the art of portrait photography and discuss a crucial technique that often goes overlooked - stopping down your aperture. 🤔
Now, don't get us wrong - we're huge fans of that dreamy bokeh effect as much as the next photography enthusiast (who doesn't love a good 'bokehmon' moment?). But what if we told you that there's a world of creative possibilities waiting for you when you decide to close that aperture a bit? 🌟
Join us as we unveil the secrets of controlling your aperture settings to achieve a whole new level of depth and storytelling in your portraits. Learn how stopping down can bring out incredible details, enhance your subject's environment, and give your photos a unique, professional edge. 📸
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your photography journey, this tutorial is packed with tips, tricks, and examples to help you master the art of stopping down for stunning portrait results. 🎯
So, if you're ready to take your portrait photography to the next level and explore the hidden potential of aperture control, hit that play button and let's get started! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more photography insights and tutorials.
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[@-grey]

The best thing about f1.4 and brighter is that you can photograph your subject in front of a dumpster and you would never know, it's just a blur of colour. 😂 If you're shooting stopped down you actually have to find a scene worth including for context. My personal rule is to never shoot brighter than 85f4, 50f2.8, 35f2, 24f1.4 etc. Brighter than that I was noticing that the ears or nose were out of focus when the eyes were in focus. It means I had to switch to more contextual portraits, but the bonus was cheaper lenses. 😎

[@Iamtongue]

Hahah brb going to do a dumpster photoshoot at f0.95

[@robertdouble559]

Some of the shots in the dune 2 trailer are like that. Stupidly shallow depth of field. People say it's "cinematic" I say they may as well have dumped a trailer full of sand in a Walmart carpark instead of flying to Jordan to shoot.

[@andrewmulgrew5832]

This video might be one of the most helpful tutorials for a new photographer like myself. I just got this weeks homework! Thanks and keep these coming!

[@Iamtongue]

i appreciate the support! Thank you

[@Iamtongue]

STOP IT DOWN 🙅‍♀📸

[@9Mtikcus]

Most of my F/1.4 lenses I stop down to F/2.8 or F/4 when shooting portraiture... For 2 reasons at F/1.4 both eyes are not always in focus, and mainly nearly all lenses are better when you stop them down 1 or 2 stops. Also, to answer the why not just buy F/2 or F/2.8 lenses.... a reasonably priced 50mm F/1.4 @F/2.8 is nearly always better than a "Pro Zoom" shooting at 50mm & wide open at F/2.8

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Totally agree. My most frustrating Fuji lens was the 56mm f1.2. I eventually sold it. It's aperture ring had no clicks and very little friction and was too easily changed from higher f-stops.

[@charliejg]

Ha! You called it "Toneh"!! LOL! Gotta be "stopped down" to get those background shadows to be sharp. Again, love that stairs/boots image. I really like that shot with the XF14mm with the yellow stool behind the model and the windows all in focus No "Toneh" in that shot!! Fun video..have a great week!

[@Iamtongue]

Thanks charlie!

[@janpetterkristiansen5725]

You are 100% correct, have had a few photos destroyed because of 85 1.4..

[@visionz_n_media]

I can’t lie, I love my bokeh, but knowing when to use it and when not to is always key. If I want to incorporate the scenery and include context I usually shoot a little bit wider, such as a 35mm and 24mm for extreme cases. Even wide open at those focal lengths half body to full body gives you some context to the environment they are in. Now when I’m shooting an 85 1.2, or 105 1.4 I know going into that shot I want to obliterate the background 😅. Nice video as always.

[@Iamtongue]

I think that's fine ! If you know the rules you know when to break it!

[@simon359]

I found this to be a problem with street photography especially! There’s usually some kind of separation you want but at the same time you want a little background to help the story. My 56 1.2 is better suited at F2 or 2.8. Just so everything isn’t washed out in the background. 🖖

[@Iamtongue]

Ppl shoot street photography wide open?!

[@simon359]

@@Iamtongue I started with zoom lenses, and quickly found out that I wanted more separation, and went to prime lenses. The 56 1.2 is better suited for longer distances, wide-open, and for close-ups, 2.8 to f4.

[@Chrsly]

Aperture is but one of the creative tools you can use to get the effect you want. "Always" and "never" are words that aren't really useful when talking about being creative, because you can find exceptions that result in something wonderful.

[@Iamtongue]

Creativity is all about breaking the rules and finding exceptions. Forget about "always" and "never" - just go with the flow and see where it takes you.

[@paulthomas8986]

So well said and demonstrated. Those photos at the end were killer. Love the song you paired them with too

[@Iamtongue]

Thank you sir!

[@shanenebria5822]

I've been thankful for all of your videos. I hope you will make another video about what scenario we need to shoot wide open..🙏🙏

[@Iamtongue]

thank you!

[@xenoheartvisuals]

I agree. My whole point of buying lens like my Sony 50 F1.2 is just for the flexibility in case you want that bokeh or in low light. But there is no point if your subject isnt even in focus. I usually use F5.6 for portrait shots. I need a bit of context of where the subject is after all!

[@Iamtongue]

Totally get what you mean, dude! Having a lens that can give you that dreamy bokeh and handle low light situations is awesome, but if your subject isn't in focus, it's like getting a pizza with no toppings. Gotta make sure everything comes together for that perfect shot!

[@jesters16]

Great video and point. I shoot a lot in NYC and Coney Island and blowing out the background misses out on the story of the shot. Personally I noticed that I enjoyed shots that had clearer backgrounds,

[@Iamtongue]

a little more depth of field is always nice haha

[@renatorosco325]

As to reason 2: missed focus is missed focus, both wide open and stopped down.

[@ChrisThe1]

why would I buy an 85 f1.2 and use it at f8? I paid for the whole aperture so I'm gonna use the whole aperture

[@mjztx]

I get your point. I'll just say those lenses are built nicer, have beautiful rendering, contrast, sharpness, minimal or no chromatic aberration and more. I love my RF 50mm 1.2L. Yes, the 1.2 is awesome to have, but in general the images just look so much cleaner and crisper than my tamron 2.8 zooms or my other cheaper canon rf primes.

[@Iamtongue]

When i first started my photography journey, I found this comment not to be useful for someone who was trying to figure things out. I think it's a toxic thing to say. But yes you can use it how you see fit.

[@aurelienbagne5782]

Needed a video like that for reminder that f1.4 isn't everything lol. Great video

[@Iamtongue]

Glad it helped and thanks for watching!

[@SouthboundProduction]

IF I PAY FOR 1.4 IMMA USE 1.4. 😡

[@Iamtongue]

PLEASE NOOOO

[@RichCatelli]

Stop it Down! lol 💃🏻🕺🏻

[@mallem1755]

If I pay for sharpness, Imma use f4. 😅

[@Snapit551]

Great video 👏🏻 ohh shit !! Now I realise why this woman complained when I took a photo of her next to beautiful flowers and she said why arnt the flowers in focus 😂 and she said my photos were rubbish because I thought I’d got the best 1.2 lens for portraits little did I know that STOP THE HELL DOWN

[@Iamtongue]

LMAO just stop it down 🙅‍♀️

[@matt88169]

Spot on! Thanks for this video and the awesome pics!

[@Iamtongue]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for wathching

[@AmbercoolPhotography]

Because of this I'm getting a 0.95 Noct to shoot it at f16.

[@Iamtongue]

That’s the spirit!

[@robertdouble559]

😆😆😆😆😆

[@michaelbell75]

Diffraction is just as bad

[@fidiak]

Thanks, great video

[@Iamtongue]

Glad it helped

[@bwloawesome]

Also, your music is always super fresh.

[@Iamtongue]

thanks man! I try

[@lexwashington6992]

I was so frustrated with my images when I first started photography. My shots were so soft looking and it was because I was shooting it at f1.8. Once I understood the concept of closing down my aperture and what it can do. I started to shoot my images anywhere from f2.8-f8!

[@Iamtongue]

there we go!

[@Kamukix]

Preaaaaaaaach! Turns out...lenses have aperture rings that MOVE haha.

[@Iamtongue]

hahaa

[@sakithr6034]

Great video tongue thanks for this friendly reminder ❤

[@Iamtongue]

thanks!

[@amhtxc2960]

The Conspiracies "toneh" mention made my day.

[@Iamtongue]

lmao

[@robertdouble559]

PREACH!!! I like your style man! I've been saying this for years, not that anyone would care to listen to a nobody like me! 😁Pointless shallow DoF drives me NUTS!!! f1.4 is for people on the wrong end of the Dunning Krueger curve. They know just enough about photography to be dangerously wrong. Hopefully they'll grow out of it! 🤣 But then again, some of them go on to win Oscars!

[@Iamtongue]

Dude, I feel you! It's frustrating when people go crazy over shallow DoF. But hey, let's not lose hope. Maybe some of them will eventually realize the beauty of a wider depth of field.

[@robertdouble559]

@@Iamtongue they need to watch Citizen Kane.

[@bwloawesome]

I couldn't agree more with this. A shallow. razer-thin DOF is okay here and there. Here in the midwest, there's a huge trend of gals spend $$$$ on top-notch gear and jumping straight into all-of-sudden being "portrait photographers." Then, you look at their online portfolios and nearly every picture has half of a face out of focus, razer sharp eyebrows but soft eyes, hard contrast fall off, etc.

[@Iamtongue]

OUUFFF that's rough haha

[@janrrob]

Great tips and beautiful samples ❤

[@Iamtongue]

Glad you like them!

[@dingbat19]

Interesting video. One of the 'problems' is that clients and just the general public tend to prefer portraits with blurred out backgrounds, and this is of course why software methods of achieving that have been added to smart phones and tablets. The public also tends to assume that shots with blurry backgrounds are more "pro". I agree that the technique is often over-used. I think it has its place, but so do environmental portraits at f8. The quality of bokeh is something a lot of us seem to fixate over, and I've noticed there seem to be two camps - those who love their bokeh "smooth as butter" and those who like their bokeh "with character". The former is often associated with modern lens designs and the latter with legacy glass and/or manual focus lenses. Personally I blame Kai from Digital Rev TV and his "bokelicious" phrase ;-)

[@Iamtongue]

Ah, the never-ending debate between smooth-as-butter bokeh and bokeh with character! It's like choosing between a fancy dessert or a rustic homemade pie. Both have their charm, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and the story you want to tell with your photos.

[@viewfindermedia3188]

It all depends the subject that you’re shooting, but is also good to have the 1.4 1.2

[@DethronerX]

100% agree. There is a time and place for everything and doing it senselessly, ruins it

[@Iamtongue]

Totally! Like, imagine trying to eat a pizza in the middle of a funeral. Talk about ruining the moment!

[@DethronerX]

@@Iamtongue 😆😆

[@adamdevries8121]

great post,, I'm definitely guilty of shooting wide open , for a 2 kids portrait posed what would you recommend for aperture setting? shooting indoors with natural light? curious your thoughts, I find if I use the 56 1.2 or 35 1.4, I really need to stop down or one person might be slightly out of focus, hope to hear back with your thoughts, sorry if its a newbie question all love,,

[@Iamtongue]

ya i would stop down to anywhere from F2.8 to F4 depending on how far your kids are from the camera and if they are on the same focal plane.

[@adamdevries8121]

@@Iamtongue I try to keep them in the same focal plane, Thanks I'll try to stop down F2.8 to start. just nice to keep the iso level low indoors , thanks for the tip,

[@30dcanon]

First of all, I don't know a lot of amateurs that have 0.95 or 1.2 lenses.. And funny, when I think of amateurs, I think of those that are perpetually shooting STOPPED DOWN!! Because they don't have the skills /technique to handle shooting wide open or nearly wide open.. And their images, particularly portraits are blending front to back due to deep DOF. And honestly, if you're shooting moving subjects or groups wide open, you might actually be an amateur.. I shoot frequently with a Canon RF 85 1.2 and RF 70-200 2.8 wide open to nearly wide open with no issues.. It's a matter of knowing the right moment to use it.. And if the client loves it, that's all that matters!!

[@Iamtongue]

Dude, I totally get what you're saying! Shooting wide open can be a bit tricky, especially with moving subjects or groups. But hey, if you know the right moment and the client loves the shots, then you're doing something right! Keep up the awesome work with those lenses.

[@michaelbell75]

Agreed. This is a KZbin "photographer" (influencer) thing to push the newest and most expensive gear. This is also where the dreadful "pixel peepers" come from. The people who feel the need to punch into an image at 300% looking for any flaw which is just absurd lol. Have a look thru any fashion magazine or look at the work of iconic portrait photographers (Newton, Avedon, Lindbergh, Meisel) and you will rarely, if ever, see a background obliterated and turned into a fuzzy mushy mess. Any skilled photographer knows the sweet spot of their lenses, and it isnt f/1.2 or anything wide open. I agree that in most cases it looks sloppy. The old saying "Just because you can doesnt mean you should" comes to mind. Nice video.

[@Iamtongue]

Haha, I totally get what you mean! Those "pixel peepers" can be a bit too obsessed with finding flaws. Let's appreciate the beauty in imperfections!

[@Edvanfleury]

But we all love that creamy bokkeh papi lol

[@Iamtongue]

I love me some creamy bokeh as well daddy.

[@CianMcsweeney]

It all depends on the background for me, some backgrounds are too boring to blur out if that makes sense? When I shoot wide open I want some visual interest in the bokeh, lights, contrast(think sun shining through leaves). A lot of the time I see pictures where its clear the photographer had no artistic direction behind their decisions and just shot wide open just because they could

[@Iamtongue]

I completely agree! The background plays a crucial role in creating an interesting and visually appealing photo. It's all about finding that perfect balance between blurring out the distracting elements and highlighting the ones that add depth and interest to the image.

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!

[@Iamtongue]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mewtwo34]

Bokeh is best used as a story telling element. Its the part of the story where you're emphasisng model only, but remember that good stories incorporate great world building ;)

[@Iamtongue]

Yes!

[@LMActionsports]

I used to do this in the beginning and it didn’t even look like bokeh it just look like blobs of color. People want to go to certain locations because of the beautiful location. Not making it look like blobs of color you can do anywhere. I shoot all my portraits over F2.8 to f4 for senior pictures, and couples I start from F4 to f6.3. Then you can still get a nice blur in the background but not so blurry you can’t tell what is in the background.

[@Iamtongue]

this!

[@fotokozlowski]

I do agree in 100% with everything You said. Respect for being brave and tell the truth to this tik-tok modern audience lol

[@Iamtongue]

Haha, thank you! It's definitely a challenge to speak the truth to the TikTok generation, but someone's gotta do it! Glad you enjoyed the video and found it relatable.

[@torb-no]

Or you can just get a f2 lens and then wide open isn't really all that wide (don't worry, I don't shoot everything at f2).

[@Iamtongue]

LOL you can do that. I can buy a F4 lens and shoot that wide open ;)

[@karikaru]

Lightroom has a new feature that lets you mask out your subject and synthetically add bokeh in (even letting you pick style of bokeh bubbles). You might as well shoot stopped down and then if you want more bokeh later you can add some in

[@Iamtongue]

That's crazy... I haven't tried it yet. But is it legit? I'm not a fan of computational bokeh and shit like that... It always seems a bit off.

[@karikaru]

@@Iamtongue like most things in does well in moderation. If you crank it, it looks a bit odd depending on the situation. But if you look where content aware fill was when it came out vs generative fill now - I wouldn't be surprised to see it get really good over time.

[@sultanabran1]

if you have an 85mm, you don't need to shoot wide open to get bokeh. but if you're shooting wide open all the time, it's showing you don't understand many technical aspects of photography

[@Iamtongue]

exactly

[@mchammer5592]

I ONLY shoot 50mm f1.2 and 1" from the subjects face.

[@Iamtongue]

LOL 🙅‍♂️📸

[@AnathemaAnimus]

What are instances that are good for wide open? I was looking at a 1.2 for low-light indoor shots (around a building and people on stage).

[@Iamtongue]

It really depends on the mood you're going for to be honest. I use wide open apertures for low light scenarios, and when I see a scene with nice light the bokeh will make it look soft, dreamy and ethereal..

[@robertmccutchan5450]

Finally someone addresses this subject!! When I learned photography many years ago, we shot weddings at F8. One of the jobs of the photographer is to look for the background elements that work with your subject when possible. If that's not possible, then maybe go wide, or use a longer focal length and back up a bit to blur the background (I like the second option best). Not everything can, or should, be fixed with super wide apertures. When shooting senior portraits, often times they want pictures from a location that means something to them, so blurring out the background would not be the best option. My 2 workhorse lenses are both F4 lenses (24-105 and 70-200), and I've found I have more usable images that are in focus with these lenses than my wide lenses. Thanks for posting!

[@Iamtongue]

OMG, finally someone who understands the struggle of finding the perfect background! It's all about being creative and using the right lens for the job.

[@SquirrelHybrid]

I remember hearing John Branch IV say that some clients ask, "Why are all my photos taken in Portrait Mode?" to photographers who don't STOP IT DOWN. 😂

[@Iamtongue]

HAH

[@kevhino]

Stop it down ⬇️

[@Iamtongue]

🙅‍♀️

[@JesusQuintanna]

👍

[@Iamtongue]

👍

[@JesusQuintanna]

🤗@@Iamtongue

[@Iamtongue]

@@JesusQuintanna 🦶👃

[@JesusQuintanna]

@@Iamtongue 🚑

[@drchtct]

As a representative of the cool kids, I'll say that bokeh (in many cases) isn't even modern among young people because they are used to shoot with their phone lenses. So these shots are more about having great backgrounds. If you have too much bokeh and it's just a blurry blurriness, you start to produce images that look old-fashioned and like you trying too hard, like these portraits the 60 year old DSLR photographer around the corner makes of elderly couples

[@Iamtongue]

Ah, the battle of the generations! Well, I guess us "cool kids" will just have to keep embracing the bokeh and enjoying those great backgrounds. But hey, to each their own, right?

[@DOSorNight]

No. When I get my 50mm f1 I'm using that f1 bokeh

[@Iamtongue]

Do you boo boo 💅

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I got a simple rule if you shoot a person and they've got blurry ears I keep swiping, not even looking at it. I'm not even taking a sideways glance at that image, and I don't care how beautiful that person is or how interesting the light is or how good the images if you're shooting .9 depth of field or 1.2 and I've got blurry ears, I'm not interested in your Photography at all Seeya!!

[@Iamtongue]

who needs ears in focus am i right?!

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@Iamtongue I just think it makes it look stupid I'm really dead against it. I think when people have blurry ears I've had people who are new to Photography say to me why does the person have blurry ears so what we're trying to say to people is it's not interesting it's not actually how a human being looks. Hang a second what are we trying to create here, we're trying to create an artistic impression of a human being that's what portrait Photography is .... When did you last see a person walking down the street with blurry ears

[@neilr7935]

​​@@nevvanclarke9225I somewhat disagree. It depends really on how blurry. Very slightly out of focus ears are actually the most natural for a closeup shot. Look at yourself closely in the mirror, staring into your own eyes. You'll notice that your ears have a slightly soft appearance. That isn't to say it's wrong to have everything in focus. But just that it's not inherently better in all situations.

[@MohondhaY]

Need More TONEH!!!!

[@Iamtongue]

How much toneh is too much toneh?

[@jimmyha5212]

Open any fashion magazine and look at any portrait. Or look at the works of the greatest portrait photographers like Peter Lindbergh or Annie Liebowitz. Yeah that's right. They're all shooting at f/8 or f/11. Because backgrounds help give you context. "Obliterating your background" means you're afraid of telling a story.

[@Iamtongue]

Ya i love shooting portraits around F11 for all of them details haha

[@lemnisgate8809]

Liebowitz shoot’s environmental portraits which is about the entire scene, there are different genre of portrait photography.

[@jimmyha5212]

@@lemnisgate8809 fair point on Annie Liebowitz.

[@daylanbrawley631]

Portrait shot at 2.8 with a 300mm 2.8 prime 😈😈😈

[@Iamtongue]

Lord have mercy 😭

[@daylanbrawley631]

@@Iamtongue yuuuup 😈

[@rykhen1459]

In that case, l’ll sell my 1.4s and use my 1855 kit 😅

[@Iamtongue]

I’ve done that before. And only used my 16-55mm f2.8 ;) you should try it haha

[@rykhen1459]

@@Iamtongue thats what I’m doing lately actually. Hehe kinda sick of bokeh

[@Iamtongue]

@@rykhen1459 but there are times where f1.4 is useful like in low light situation haha so don’t get mad at me if you regret selling your f1.4 lenses 😂

[@rykhen1459]

@@Iamtongue nah, i cant sell, i only got 3 lens 2 of them are 1.4 and 1.2 hahaha and a kit. For the mean time ill forget that i have 1.2/1,4 lol great video love your work.

[@voy2360]

Toneh

[@Iamtongue]

TONEH

[@lemnisgate8809]

It’s a portrait not an environmental portrait the subject is the focal point you example that you say is just too much bokeh appear to my eye to be some of your most stunning shots perfect just adjust your framing or crop. The reason a lot of people want to shoot wide open is because the places they shoot outdoors more often than not are fugly, some generic gray wall isn’t going to enhance my photo or add to the story it’s just a ugly distracting gray wall.

[@Iamtongue]

I agree with you with this one example you gave me.

[@patriotsfan696]

Stop it down ❌🙅‍♂️

[@Iamtongue]

🙅‍♀

[@lemnisgate8809]

No! I didn’t pay 3k for a lens to not shoot wide open.

[@Iamtongue]

Ya it’s your money do what you want.

[@viewfindermedia3188]

I don’t think there’s a problem with that. It’s all peoples preference. It just doesn’t make them look like an amateur. That’s your opinion.

[@anthonydavis4829]

Too much BS in photography. One say don't, another pro says do. What the photographer likes is all that matters.

[@Iamtongue]

thanks anthony davis. I hope you stay healthy this season.

[@ikneadphotography]

No

[@Iamtongue]

Zesty 💁‍♀️