What the fog?

Spent part of the day today trouble-shooting. Focus problem: it's a little embarassing mentioning this but I'm using the Portrait mode setting on the Sony. This setting promises to create a soft, out-of-focus background which it does nicely. But the depth of field is extremely narrow so it's easy for Ben to go out of focus--and, of course, you can't check focus on the mini viewfinder. Geez, what next? Do I need to get Erik to be a focus puller using the remote? The only shots in which Ben is in focus is when he's bending over with his face near the spinner (shown above). I admit I focused on the spinner instead of his face thinking it was close enough. Note that Ben is conveniently obscuring the unwanted wood hammered into the wall.

Also, in the above image (color-corrected in AE/Levels) notice that part of the spinner rig is visible. It is not visible in the viewfinder so the captured image is slightly larger than you can see on the Sony. No problem. Just scale it up a bit, but it does add to rendering time.

Checked back on the original model image shot a few weeks ago, the one shown in miniature at the left. The background in that one is quite dark. There is quite a bit of contrast in that one. I have to not be too afraid of using contrast.

Also reviewed the shots done with the fog machine. Tip for would-be filmmakers: A $30 DJ smoke machine from Guitar Center is probably NOT going to give you the effect you want. The smoke looks more like a puff of steam from a tea kettle and then quickly dissipates upwards.