I'd really like some insights on this shot, primarily main focus area. Would this be a more pleasing/technically correct image if the 'anther & filament' closest to the lens were in tight focus?
Thank you in advance for your time and input. I'm really enjoying this project and am already 'seeing things' differently! Now I just have to slow down and apply what I'm learning, each time I bring the viewfinder to my eye!
It is a matter of choice. It is about what you want to emphasize. I saw the EXIF info and see that you used f5.6 which should have given you enough DOF to get the whole flower in focus. How far were you from this flower? You might try using f8-f11 to see if that will give the DOF you want.
@chapjohn Thanks John. I think that a big part of my ongoing problem is that I tend to thing of a large aperture as 'more light' rather than dictating DOF.
In this situation if I had gone to f8 or 11... I would have had to use a shutter speed too low for a hand held shot and had no tripod. I also tend to shy away from ever going higher than 400ISO.
I'm probably overthinking this a little ;) I've found that since starting this project I catch myself getting caught up in what others will think ... not my usual MO.
I'll put myself back in a similar situation and try pushing the EV or ISO and using a smaller aperture.
I'm with John. Personal preference I guess. And it depends what look you were going for. Why not take two the same with different bits in focus and compare then side by side?
Hi Lisa, have a go at pushing the ISO up. I was amazed when I did and like you worried that I was pushing to much. Probably a hangover from the days of film. A tripod may help as well.
As others have said, it's a matter of choice. It's also a practical matter when shooting close up, macro distance, the DoF will be narrow whatever the aperture. So any depth, like the inside detail of the flower, you will have to choose. A tripod will help since a little of the blur is doubtless hand shake. A good editor with local adjustments for sharpness can help some, see https://www.dropbox.com/s/31crewbx4fba54e/4856103_gijrvw0578_l%20as%20Smart%20Object-1.jpg, but best to operate on the full raw file in 16 bit mode, and watch the noise you might inject. I only had the "view large" small jpeg to operate with, so it's rough, but gives you some idea of what you might be able to do.
Personal choice, but personally I'd have prefered back of the flower to be out of focus to front of the flower.
I agree that you read it and read it and read it but it still takes a lot of personal experience to make the wide aperture/shallow DOF connection! especially at 5.6. I'm always forgetting how working close up increases the shallowness of DOF. But we're both learning!
You may be between a rock and a hard place on the tripod issue on an outdoor shot. It can be a windless day, but clicking a shutter is almost guaranteed to bring on a breath of wind!
Nonetheless, a good tripod is one of the best investments you can make if you regularly photograph things that can't run away! And if you have one and are comfortable using it, it will encourage you to expand your "horizons" photographically.
However, in many instances you can improvise, especially in your own yard. The tripod is portable, adjustable, and reliable, so it's the most efficient way to keep the camera stable. If you can find or bring in a stable surface, and use the self-timer for extra insurance against camera movement,you can still get many shots. I don't know if this was your own garden, and I obviously rattle on, so I'll leave it at that unless invited to elaborate!
Despite what I said about front or back out of focus, I would still have been proud to get this photo. Those white anthers? are really hard to get properly exposed - ask the woman who's trired and failed!
@amyamoeba Thanks Amy! This is exactly the type of 'practice' I need to get into. Taking the time to try to get the same shot, with various focus/settings and see what looks best to me. I intentionally centered the focus on the anther furthest away from the camera... but when I saw the image, wished I had focused on the closest. Had I done both... I'd be able to choose :)
@padlock I will try pushing my ISO, you're probably right that bad experience with film has me jaded. I do have a pretty nice Manfroto tripod but this was shot as I was rushing back to work after lunch :)
@frankhymus Hi Frank, Thanks so much for the reply and time to 'tweak' the image. This feedback is really helpful in understanding that it really is a lot of 'personal preference'. I do shoot in RAW and try to do any editing I can before opening as a JPG. In fact, I just figured out this week how to open the file as a copy and leave the original in its 'as shot' state :) Option + Click ! I also use an older version of PS for editing.
As mentioned in another reply, I do have/use a tripod but didn't have it with me on this outing. I also have a remote shutter release... BEST $15 I've ever spent!
@lisatown I think with digital we now have three things to help, ISO,shutter speed and F stop. Where as with film you were stuck with ISO you had. Does take some time to get over pushing the ISO and not seeing grainy shots.
@frankhymus OH.... and a question for you if you don't mind... I'm trying to wrap my mind around Distance / DoF / f-setting... In this instance would it be that regardless of the aperture setting, I would have to have the subject further from the lens to have a wider DoF? If I was shooting at f11 from the same distance, center focused on the exact same area, with a slower shutter.... would the DoF be wider/greater?
I really appreciate the time and help from all of you!!!
@therubysusan Hi Ruby Susan! Thank you for the thoughts/insight and kudos! I know for some, shooting flowers is a 'snap' but it sounds like you and I are kindred spirits in the "learn/shoot" school :) I do have a tripod and remote shutter release but didn't have them with me. These Camellias are on my way to work and I had just a couple of minutes to try to get a good shot.
I think if we read it and shoot it and shoot it again... and hang around here and continue to be inspired by such beautiful images... we might 'GET IT' :)
@lisatown Yes,I can't just throw my Bogen in my purse! And even the gorillapod for my compact I carry around with me needs something to fasten it to and time to set it up! But we keep trying, and nowadays, "film is cheap!"
@lisatown It might make a little difference, but if you are 12-14 inches close it really won't make that much. It might be an interesting exercise to see how your lens behaves, but I think you will find that at this close distance it doesn't matter that much. One thing about a narrower aperture, instead of being a fraction of an inch DoF, it might be 1 or 2, so you might not have to be so fussy.
It's one reason my macro lens of choice is a mild telephoto, the Sigma f/2.8 105mm, I can step back a little and not have to be right on top of the subject, and consequently the DoF is a few inches rather than a few millimeters at f/2.8 wide open.
As I said, try out your particular set up and see what happens. Good shooting!
@frankhymus Thank you Frank (and everyone else) for your input... I really need to slow down and pay more attention to what I'm doing... when I'm doing it! It will be a great 'weekend self tutorial' to follow some of the guidelines / exercises you've addressed here and 'pay heed' to what I 'see' :)
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In this situation if I had gone to f8 or 11... I would have had to use a shutter speed too low for a hand held shot and had no tripod. I also tend to shy away from ever going higher than 400ISO.
I'm probably overthinking this a little ;) I've found that since starting this project I catch myself getting caught up in what others will think ... not my usual MO.
I'll put myself back in a similar situation and try pushing the EV or ISO and using a smaller aperture.
I agree that you read it and read it and read it but it still takes a lot of personal experience to make the wide aperture/shallow DOF connection! especially at 5.6. I'm always forgetting how working close up increases the shallowness of DOF. But we're both learning!
Nonetheless, a good tripod is one of the best investments you can make if you regularly photograph things that can't run away! And if you have one and are comfortable using it, it will encourage you to expand your "horizons" photographically.
However, in many instances you can improvise, especially in your own yard. The tripod is portable, adjustable, and reliable, so it's the most efficient way to keep the camera stable. If you can find or bring in a stable surface, and use the self-timer for extra insurance against camera movement,you can still get many shots. I don't know if this was your own garden, and I obviously rattle on, so I'll leave it at that unless invited to elaborate!
As mentioned in another reply, I do have/use a tripod but didn't have it with me on this outing. I also have a remote shutter release... BEST $15 I've ever spent!
I really appreciate the time and help from all of you!!!
I think if we read it and shoot it and shoot it again... and hang around here and continue to be inspired by such beautiful images... we might 'GET IT' :)
It's one reason my macro lens of choice is a mild telephoto, the Sigma f/2.8 105mm, I can step back a little and not have to be right on top of the subject, and consequently the DoF is a few inches rather than a few millimeters at f/2.8 wide open.
As I said, try out your particular set up and see what happens. Good shooting!