In what kind of scenes does it make sense to use f/1.4 aperture?

Question

I have been told that it is difficult to focus with an aperture of f/1.4.

So, in which kind of scenes does it actually make sense to use the f/1.4?

In portraits they say that it is important to keep focus on both eyes (ruling off f/1.4).
In moving subjects (street photography) it s simply not possible to focus with f/1.4.
In food photos it will then focus only a particle of food.

What are the PRACTICAL uses of f/1.4?

Asked by Anisha Kaul

Answer

There's several practical cases here. Your depth of field isn't only a function of the aperture so if other factors suite, then its still fine.

If you're sufficiently far away from your subject, then using f/1.4 would result the majority of your subject being in focus.

If you have a high performance AF system (something like the 7D perhaps), then you're more likely to keep the point of focus exactly where you expect.

If the scene is so dark, you may need to shoot at a wide open 1.4 in order to get enough light - you're willing to trade extreme subject isolation and possibly not get the exact point of focus for noise and proper exposure.

You do see it in portraits some. Its a very trendy thing to do to. The eyes should be roughly on the same focal plane, so you should be able to get them in focus and the ears will be blurred out.

Frankly though, I don't - nor do most people I know - use f/1.4 all that often.

Answered by rfusca

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