How To handle such a photo with this kit?

Question: How To handle such a photo with this kit!?

It's a portrait of aperson (head to waist) that I am trying to take, but my problem is the depth of field, since I want the focus to be on the subject and the background to be totally outta focus!.!.
I am using an Oly e-520 with its lens kit (14-42mm f/3!.5-5!.6 Lens & 40-150mm f/4-5!.6 Lens)!.!.
Can it be handled!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Sure you can!. Use the lens at it's maximum zoom range, (42mm), and place your subject as far away from any background as possible!. Ideally, shoot outdoors on an overcast day!. Put the camera in Aperture priority and set your widest aperture, which in your case will be 5!.6 when fully zoomed out!. The shutter speed will set automatically!.

5!.6 is not an extremely wide aperture, thus the reason you want as much distance between the subject and background as possible!. And be sure and shoot at the max 42mm to prevent wide angle distortion!.

steveWww@QuestionHome@Com

For the 2/3 portrait, your talking 80-100mm for the most normal perspective, wide open aperture, and get some distance between your subject and the background!. Remember the location of DOF, 1/3 infront of the point focused on, and 2/3 behind!. So in theory you could actually focus a touch in front of your subject if your still having trouble rendering the background in pleasant soft focus, though this may also slightly soften details of the face and neck area!. also if the background is of a very light color, slight overexposure should help to wash out any remaining detail!.

Can it be handheld !? Interesting question!. This may well be the case for a bright location, considering your using a wide open aperture!.
Handheld should be =2 or faster than the reciprocal of the focal length in use!.!.!. Example @ 100mm, minimum handheld shutter speed should be 1/100sec or faster (1/125sec, 1/250sec ect!.)

Good question, and Good luck with your portrait, hang in there, you'll get it yet !Www@QuestionHome@Com