[Kamui712]

I'm a total noob.

I had dinner with people last night and tried to take a shot of them. I was using Canon 400D , 50mm f/2.8, 1/25 with flash. Focus was set on AI, evaluative.

The problem is, that the camera only focused on the person that was closest. What settings should I use so that I can get a better focused image with everyone?

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/marco712/0b37ae72.jpg

[77civic1200]

Bump up the ISO, bump up the aperature.
Something around f8

Its hard to see with the faces missing, but was thing direct flash or bounced?

[niforpix]

At F2.8 you'll never get everyone in focus.

[Senna4ever]

Using a P&S camera here will give you the depth of field you need.

[Kamui712]

Ah, i see, thanks for all the information... still getting the basics down!

Senna: Yea, a P&S would be much easier to use, but I want to learn as much as I can about basic photography =D

Thanks everyone!

[Blinky]

Just to expand on the answers to your question... the problem isn't lack of focus or poor focus, it's the lack of depth of field as Senna implies.

To increase DoF, decrease aperture (increase the f-number). Because you're using a flash, shutter speed shouldn't be an issue.

Alternatively, you could use one of the modes on the camera for situations like these. Does the 400D have a automatic DoF mode (A-Dep)? Anyways it should have a mode or two that applies -- read your manual. Spend non-social time experimenting with DoF. :)

[keitaro]

It's hard to help when you have the big black boxes. Can't really see the true focus of the image. But it sounds like your aperture is way too low, way to shallow for a shot like this.

Like Blinky said, you should increase your aperture to a value of f/8, and use a tripod with a timer or remote that would guarantee a sharper image.

[ddr]

in addition to a smaller aperture, focusing on the eyes help as well.

[m3thods]

in addition to a smaller aperture, focusing on the eyes help as well.

to do this effectively, it helps to manually set the af point to center, point at the eyes, then recompose whilst holding down the shutter. If he has AF-point selection to auto, this is almost impossible.

[keitaro]

I wouldn't use the assist focus points, but rather use the centre focus point. The assists don't have the same accuracy as the centre.

[Kamui712]

what about AI Servo ? It doesn't have any focus points highlighted on my viewfinder. I read that some people use it for sports... can I use it casually?

[keitaro]

AI Servo is only used for tracking something that is moving. It should highlight the focus point(s) that is used for the initial lock.

You might want to read up on the manual, to get the proper understanding of the functions and features of your camera.

[m3thods]

Servo is annoying to use casually since you could never lock focus effectively (the point of servo is that the AF constantly tracks while you half-press the shutter, so moving objects have a better opportunity to be in focus). Stick to one-shot for casual shots.

[jlo mein]

In low light if you're unable to narrow the aperture down to f/8 or similar, and having people's faces in focus is your objective, you could recompose the shot so that the subjects are on the same plane.