Group photo question...

[keller]

I was taking a group photo (my family) 6 people total with a XSI 450D, kit lense 18-55.


The setting was nothing special. A couple of full body shots and waist up shots. Camera setting was on manual with autofocus...no flash.


For some reason i cannot get all the subjects to be in focus. There is usually 2 or 3family membersthat seem slightly out of focus. Just for clarification, this is not avery noticable out of focus problem. Perhaps i am just being very picky and asking to much of the kit lense?


keller

[Dumien]

was it shot indoors? If it was, then try to use a flash to be able to narrow the aperture and get greater DOF, or higher ISO for that matter ...that might be your only problem

[RadicalTenth]

In these groups where were the people? Were they on both edges, or were they clumped together?

[keller]

They were clumped together. I wish i would have saved the pictures so i could post them for all to see what i am referring to. Sometimes all the people in the image would be focused, sometimes just 1 person or no one would be focused. Again, i am not talking blurry, but just slightly "foggy" as i like to call it. The wife calls it, slightly out of focused. She thinks a better lense (L)would correct this problem. I am hoping its the shooter's fault.


I took the photos outside with partly cloudy skies.


keller

[RadicalTenth]

At what aperture were you shooting? Dumien has a point.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Yes, it's the shooter's fault [], you need to close down the aperture to have more depth of field.

[lculpin]

Woah guys, lets slow down here for a minute. His wife thinks that he needs a new L lens. You don't argue with your wife, especially when she's telling you that you NEED to be getting a brand spanking new L series lens. CLEARLY then, the lens is the problem

[Bob]

Keller


The 18-55 lens is not very sharp corner to corner unless you are shooting at f11.

[Tom Carman]

Try This;


Set your camera to ADEP and the problem is resolved.

[hotsecretary]

Ah man, I wish my g/f would blame my bad shots on the lack of L glass! She's more questioning.. "Why do you need to spend $2,000 on a freaking lens?" "What was wrong with the one that came with your camera?!"


But at least now she's realized I enjoy it and my $$ is my savings to spend as I wish, I'm the one working hard for it She spends it on shoes and clothing and other things at times. I spend it on glass [] And I just make sure I take really nice pictures when I can, and if not take her on vacation!!





As it's been said though, try kicking up the AP. And make sure you're using a tripod.


But personally I'd just take lots of bad ones.. and go.. "Must be this crappy lens, need a few L lens to get this shot!"