Don't lose focus

Lately I've been crushing on bloggers who shoot with their lenses wide open, which just means only a tiny portion of the photo is sharply in focus.
Ideally, I'd love to be completely in focus, with the background a big beautiful bokeh mess.
At some point, I decided that having my aperture set to f/2.8 was the best way to acheive this.
But I've decided to open up my lens all the way to f/1.4 and see if the trade off of detail for pretty blurriness results in a more pleasing photograph.

This first shot was taken at f/1.4, and the second f/2.8 - which do you prefer?

For those of you with SLRs, what focal length/f-stop do you like best for you outfit photos?

Poppy sunset 2.8
chambray knot
Poppy sunset hair toss Poppy sunset clutch
Poppy sunset
The Rundown
Poppy Dress Elle for Kohls - Chambray Tuxedo Shirt J. Crew - Sandals Ciao Bella Petunia - Bracelets Towne and Reese Avery - Woven Clutch London Fog - Sunnies Old Navy
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48 comments

  1. eekJune 29, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    I typically try to keep my aperture as open as possible to get the nice bokeh. That said, the difference between the 1.4 and 2.8 wasn't huge. Both photos are great!

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  2. Tanya DempseyJune 29, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    The first photo!

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  3. StyleIDnetJune 29, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    I am so jealous of your lens ... I need to get one that opens to 1.4. I love the 1.4 pictures.
    Now, on the outfit: I adore the colors, the dress pattern and your clutch is to die for.

    http://styleidnet.blogspot.com/
    http://www.filomenascloset.com/

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  4. Courtney ErinJune 29, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    I don't think the difference between the apertures is really great - both photos look great!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  5. Frannie PantzJune 29, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Love the tied button down over this gorgeous floral dress! Funny you should mention this little trick in this post. My bf has been wondering how to do this with our camera forever!

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  6. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Love your sandals!

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  7. Closet FashionistaJune 29, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Yay for the poppy dress! :D And hmmm....I like both of them but if you make me choose I'd say the second, haha
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  8. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Oh, I like the softness of the first photo and may have to try this trick myself.

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  9. UnknownJune 29, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    agree with eek, the diff wasn't huge, but I love more bokeh goodness, so my vote goes to 1.4 :)

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  10. SilJune 30, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    I think your pictures are great no matter what. But I guess I like the second picture the better. Maybe I missed this, but what kind of lens do you use?

    A couple years back I used to shot black and white film. After I got my DSLR I became a little bit lazy with lenses and aperture calculations. I would like to get back into that and I would also like to invest in a lens for my DSLR.

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  11. Keep Warm (Danielle)June 30, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    I think I like the first one better. I know zero things about cameras and really have put no effort into learning them... although I probably should. All I care about right now is your amazing poppy dress! Le Swoon!

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  12. Ola DipoJune 30, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    so stunning but i can't pick. i do like how they make you the object of my attention. loving that clutch

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  13. ChocolateFashionCoffeeJune 30, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    the dress is amazing!!!

    chocolatefashioncoffee.blogspot.com

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  14. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Hmm, I don't know much about lenses (my camera is a point and shoot). But I'm glad you pointed this out because it made me notice the effects - which are gorgeous, by the way.

    I've been looking for a nice chambray shirt forever. Probably by the time I find one, the moment will be over! This look is really cute.

    Lydia x

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  15. Jamie-Lee BurnsJune 30, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    I think I like the first pic more. Either way you look cute!

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  16. Nikki | The Ginger DiariesJune 30, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    I'd say picture 2 has the prettiest effect :) I wish i was able to set the aperature of my old digital camera, it focusess on everything, and only blurs the background when I zoom in one something... x

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  17. Pam @ over50feeling40June 30, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Love this dress...the print is great!! Lyddie, why don't you join in on the Accessory Swap I am hosting..just come on over to my site and sign up. These are fun and a great way to get to know other bloggers...you are a perfect accessory lover for this event!!

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  18. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Thanks for popping by our blog!

    LOVE that dress but am madly in LURVE with that clutch. And the photo with it in focus and a soft background was simple, but beautiful.

    Can't wait to read more.

    ~ B

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  19. MosaMuseJune 30, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. MosaMuseJune 30, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    beautiful purse! cute outfit :)
    xo
    MosaMuse
    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  21. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Beautiful photos. I love the dress and denim combo, not to mention the wedges!
    Very chic!

    Girl about Town XxX

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  22. AnneJune 30, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    I use a Canon point & shoot, so I can't help there :)

    This dress is so cute, and it just screams summer. And I like it paired with your new signature look, the knotted shirt.

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  23. Ruby And SielJune 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Beautiful outfit :)

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  24. little luxury listJune 30, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    I like the 2.8. Err is this the same as aperture? I'm just starting to learn this stuff!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  25. BonnieJune 30, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    I wish I was cool enough to take awesome pictures like this, but I'm not. :( First, I think I need a cooler camera. Not a simple hot pink point and shoot.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  26. Mileide AlmeidaJune 30, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    your clucth is very cool!!
    love!!

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  27. very marriedJune 30, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    the 1.4 casts a more romantic haze on the picture but 2.8 give a better sense of the outfit...

    i'm still readjusting to my film SLR. i had one when I took photography lessons when I was young but when digital cameras came into being, i ditched it. now i'm back and trying to be more patient and careful with each shot.

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  28. paisleaJune 30, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    you are seriously too cute! i am in LOVE with your outfit!!!!

    and i'm also loving the starfish cuff that you found located on the left side of your blog. SO cute. i'm dying to find one for myself!!

    ♥ allister bee blog

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  29. UnknownJune 30, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Your clutch is so beautiful and I love how it complements your outfit to a t! I also love fashion photography with a blurry background but alas my cheap digital can't do such things...

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  30. LorenaJune 30, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
    Maybe because I take my pics with a NOKIA cel phone... however I am not only loving your pictures but the pattern in your skirt and bag !

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  31. UnknownJune 30, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I think it depends on what aesthetic you want... ƒ/1.4 definitely has a softer, dreamlike quality to it, which I think is great for summer photos (especially at sunset). 2.8 is definitely sharper, it's similar to what I get with 2.0 on my 35. Your lens is much better than mine-- lucky! You could try a faster shutter speed with 1.4 (you probably do already) and see if that will increase the sharpness of you? And of course there's always PS!

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  32. UnknownJune 30, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Hm. You are really sharp in the Water Lily photos (at least I think so)... probably a difference in light thing?

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  33. EllieJune 30, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    I love the first photograph, the lighting is awesome!
    -Ellie

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  34. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    I love the f/1.4 shot. So gorgeous. I'm so excited--BF just bought me the 35mm f/1.8. I haven't gotten a chance to use it too much yet, but I can't wait!

    Melanie@Unravelled Threads
    Follow @UnraveldThreads on twitter!

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  35. AmberJune 30, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    thats some fancy photo talk. :) I like the first one better

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  36. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I like the first photo. Your dress is really pretty. I think I've seen the maxi version of that dress on a few blogs. I love that woven clutch!! :)

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  37. MimiJune 30, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    your pictures are great, as always! i didn't really understand the camera lingo, but i definitely love the photos. ;)

    and i love the print of your dress. :D

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  38. Bad JoanJune 30, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Love your dress! Great idea to pair it with the denim shirt!

    http://blog.badjoan.com/

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  39. this free birdJune 30, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I like the second one best...and that dress!

    xo,
    C
    ps-resting wrist but still reading along. grandma moses over here. oy

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  40. sisJune 30, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    I love this outfit. Th chambray shirt works so perfectly with the colour and pattern of this dress.

    I spent so much time going from the 1st to the 2nd photo and back again, but I think I favour the first! There's something so perfect about the level of background blur.

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  41. stylenuggetsJune 30, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Great minds think alike: I was thinking of playing around with the aperture too. I like the backgound out of focus. Keeps you beautifully sharp and clear.

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  42. AmyJune 30, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    f.28/the second shot look best to me... but I'm a sharp-as-it-gets kinda gal. The first one has a very ephemeral quality... which I think looks stellar with certain looks too. Go you for learning and experimenting though! And also go you for that fab floral and woven pattern combo! Fearless and fabulous!

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  43. IsabelJune 30, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    i like the first shot better :)

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  44. VanessaJune 30, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    I like the 2.8! There's still a nice blurred background but you and your outfit is crisp. I vary between a 2.8 at 50 mm and a 4.6 at 70 mm.

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  45. Whitney 'Nic' JamesJuly 1, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    so cute! i love the clutch and the contrast with the rest of the outfit.

    ~nic
    www.nics-picks.com

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  46. kJuly 1, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    i agree, that is a fun way to shoot for sure!! i like them both, haha, i can't decide :)

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  47. LaynahJuly 2, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Wow you're really talented. Um I think i like the first one best?

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  48. Style, She WroteJuly 3, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Very patriotic outfit! Have a Happy Fourth! xo style, she wrote

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