Taking Pictures of Mother and Baby - settings?

[steveatesh]

I'll be taking some photographs of a Christening, or more specifically of the parent/God parent and baby. I know that ordinarily when taking portraits using a wide open aperture and focus on the eye is normal, but what when there are two subjects in the frame?

I'll be taking some shots of them holding the baby and I would like to have them both in focus if possible. In this situation is there always a compromise as it is unlikely both faces will be on the same plain - the baby will be slightly in front of the adult in frontal shots, for example

I won't get many chances and want to make every shot count, So, in essence, what's the best aperture for such a composition and what point should I focus on?

Any other advice for good shots gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

[Shaw Tarse]

No advice, but there are times when you should be thankful you're not using 35mm film

[paulrockliffe]

Experiment with the aperture before hand is the best bet. On a typical 'kit' lens you won't get the aperture open wide enough to narrow the depth of field enough to cause you problems though I wouldn't have thought.

If you have a decent lens that'll go lower than F/2 you'll probably start to notice it, depending on the focal length.

So recreate the likely focal length you'll be using and experiment with the aperture until you're getting everything in focus. Then review your shots to make sure it's about right when you start.

[Simpo Two]

Think what the subject of your photos is and focus on that. If an important part of the photo - typically eyes - is out of focus the shot is useless. So if you have two people in the frame and need both pairs of eyes sharp and are concerned abvout DOF, position yourself so they are both the same distance from the camera. Remember that the closer you get the worse the problem.

After a while you'll build up a feel for the amount of useable DOF you have for each aperture. It's also worth asking the Rev/Bishop/Pope if you can use flash - because then suddenly you control the light and not the gloomy church.

[steveatesh]

Thanks guys, that's enough to work with.