Assigment Submissions January Aperture

[F, Calla & Luca]

Please post your January submission here. other comment about the assingment can go in the original discussion.

[Barbara]

Great photos!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I learned something important (for me) today. I learned that the aperture range for my lens is not that great, and that distance from the subject is also important to get that fuzzy or clear background ( I know you already mentioned it but I didn't understand it yet). I almost bought a "portrait" lens today and I could very definitely see the difference in background clarity when I practiced with it but I don't want to buy any other things until I actually get what I have figured out. Another great thing I found out is that my camera shop offers a series of free day-long classes and I am signing up. I may not "pass" this first assignment now, but I'll bet I get the hang of it eventually.
PS I have one more day to see if I can get a better submission than the one I already submitted.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What lens do you have?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

What size lens are you using Nancy? I just went to my camera store today with my list of questions after reading my manual and making notes. I have typed up a sheet that I can carry with me. The guy spent about 2 hours with me but 45 minutes of that was HIM trying to correct the goof up he did when he pushed my AE-L/AF-L button. It locked my shutter button and it took all that time to figure out how to release it. I found the answer in an auxillary book to the manual. Duhhhhhh Anyway, he teaches classes once a month so I am going to sign up.

So I asked if I were to add ONE more lens to my case what would it be. He pulled out a Macro/portrait lens by Tamron that just debut a month ago...Almost $600!!!! Amazing how he was able to macro in on my diamond ring!!!!!! He said the furthest distance with this lens should be only to about the waist on a person. After that, go back to my 18-270 lens. So, I am curious to hear about the portrait lens you were looking at because they can be costly??? I have learned a few things today about lens variations as to the aperture f/stop ranges. Some have more range than others. Plus it also comes down to how far away you are from the subject and if you are using a wide angle or telephoto focal length. Also some lenses have a faster speed than others. All that is standing between us and great lenses is $$$$$. Lots of stuff out there to learn my dear!!!!

[Diane Margetts]

What a beautiful ring!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I like to use a macro setting to take closeups of flowers but there's got to be a cheaper way I hope.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Yes, I would have to hock my ring to pay for the lens!!!!! lol

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was thinking the same thing when I saw your pretty ring.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The lens was NOT a macro. It was a 35??? and there were two - one was just under $200 and one just over. The one under $200 would not have autofocus on my camera but would be on the D5000. The other one would have autofocus. My son said his roommate got a macro lens on-line for about $300. Here is my this morning aperture effort but I want to try one more time tomorrow. At least I got a difference in the shots.
A Priority f22 shutter 6 flash off ISO 100

A Priority f5.6 shutter 1/2 ISO 100 no flash

[Linda and "Toby"]

Aw, Ned is being a very sweet model for you! How cute!

When taking photos indoors without a flash, I would suggest bumping your ISO speed up to at least 400 or even 800. (The higher you go the more "noise" you will get, but it helps reduce the liklihood of getting blurry shots, especially at f/22.) What size lens did you use to take these?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know how to do ISO yet, but I thought the assignment was just for aperture only.

[Linda and "Toby"]

You're right - lol! Perhaps the ISO settings can be covered in another assignment. :) This photo of Ned makes me smile - what an adorable face!