# @williamslenses on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DQs1ibnDLpJ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/36647743-williamslenses-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/be89b8038d.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-06T03:52:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** WILLIAMSLENSES (@williamslenses) — https://gondola.cc/williamslenses

## Caption

🤦‍♂️ My Biggest Rookie Mistake (And How You Can Skip It)
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When I started out, I was obsessed with having that blurry background, that buttery bokeh. So, I shot everything wide open at f/1.8 or f/2.8. The problem? I was constantly getting photos where the subject’s nose was sharp, but their eyes were completely soft. My biggest beginner mistake was prioritizing a shallow depth of field over critical focus and sharpness. I was so focused on the look that I ruined countless keepers! Don’t chase the blur at the expense of your subject’s clarity—especially when you’re first learning. 💡
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The truth is, sharpness is king 👑, and bokeh is secondary. To avoid this pitfall, I had to deliberately force myself to stop down. I started shooting portraits at f/4 or even f/5.6. This gave me enough depth of field to ensure both eyes were in focus, and it provided a safety net while I mastered my focus points. Getting sharp images consistently gave me confidence. Once you can nail focus every time at f/5.6, then you can start experimenting with wider apertures like f/2.0. Learn the rules of sharp focus first, then break them with intention. 🎯
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So, my advice to you is to skip this frustrating phase. Take a deliberate step back from the widest aperture your lens offers. Focus on understanding the relationship between your focal point and your depth of field. Your images will instantly look more professional, and you’ll save yourself the headache of losing great shots to soft eyes. Learn your focus points, slow down, and prioritize sharpness. Your future self will thank you! 🙏
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Endless love,
~WrH
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    •    @williamslenses 
    •    #PhotographyMistakes
    •    #BeginnerPhotographyTips
    •    #GetSharpPhotos
    •    #DepthOfField
    •    #AperturePriority
    •    #RookieMistake
    •    #PhotographyAdvice
    •    #LearnPhotography

## Stats

- **Views:** 52
- **Likes:** 1
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

photographyadvice, depthoffield, photographymistakes, rookiemistake, beginnerphotographytips, learnphotography, aperturepriority, getsharpphotos

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