Just starting out...

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AlexRoo

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Alexandra
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Hi everyone. I am just starting out in the fascinating world of photography. I am working on taking photographs with one subject in focus (such as a child) and the background out of focus. I am really struggling to achieve this effect and I don't know if it is something I am doing wrong or whether my camera just isn't good enough. I have the Fuji Finepix S5600 but I have had it for years, so I know it isn't the most up to date camera, but I ideally wanted to have a practise before spending out on a better one. I have my f-stop set at its highest (3.2) and the shutter speed at its quickest (2000), with a 200 ISO. I have tried using the zoom and also changing the distance I am from the subject. It just isn't working for me, everything is in focus. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :).
 
To get greater subject isolation you need a bigger sensor and a wider aperture.

Maybe you could search social media for info and pictures you like (as per Dougies link above) and take note of the gear used and its settings, ditto watch and read on line camera and lens reviews for info and ideas. All that may give you a good starting point and maybe then you'll be beginning to be in a position to decide if you want a Micro Four Thirds, APS-C or Full Frame camera and what lens will suit you best.

Personally when taking pictures of people I mostly like to get pretty much all of the head sharp and that's usually possible with any camera from Micro Four Thirds sensor size and upward with a f1.8 lens. If going for razor thin depth of field with next to nothing sharp and just about everything out of focus (but why would you??? :D) a FF camera and 85mm f1.2 may be your gear of choice.

I'd deffo advise keeping your wallet closed for a while and doing more thinking and research before buying.
 
You need your subject a long way from the background... but being honest your camera is not the most shallow Depth of Field (DoF) friendly.

You need to try to be as close to your subject that you can and your background needs to be as far away as possible.
 
Hi Alexandra & welcome to TP

As you are discovering, cameras with smaller sensors are not ideal to get the subject isolation you are trying to achieve because you do not get a very much 'control' over the Depth of Field (DoF) with such smaller sensors. It is basically the laws of physics you are working with!

It is the choice of aperture that gives the control over the DoF so you are correct in using the the max of f3.2.......................but the effect of that max of f3.2 will not be the same as f3.2 used on for example dSLR crop body like a Canon 760D or Canon full frame body like the 6D, because they both have bigger sensors than your S5600.

I suggest you try a simple test:-
Choose a mid zoom setting and shoot at f3.2 (or max at that zoom setting)
Take shots at various distances ~ e.g. 10ft, 8ft, 6ft, 3ft away and examine whether the DoF is giving you the subject isolation you are seeking.
NB but pick a situation where the background is at least 50ft or more behind the subject!

Basically, learn the limitations of the camera before you decide on any sort or upgrade
 
Thank you for the advice everyone. A lot of good tips for me to take on board and put into practise. Thanks :).
 
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