Photo Lesson 2: November. Aperture and Depth of Field

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I was going to label this Aperture and Bokeh. But the definition of bokeh is the quality of the out of focus  part of your image. I don't want to make this assignment more complicated than necessary so I am addressing just the technical aspect, and leaving the artistic part open to interpretation.

Most of you already know this stuff. I hope to help those that don't totally understand it, and to give those that do some extra things to think about.

So here is a video that explains depth of field pretty well. It's only about 15 minutes and easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34jkJoN8qOI

And here is a pdf with photos illustrating what I think are the main things to consider when deciding on aperture, depth of field and the type of look you are trying to achieve with your photos.

aperture%20and%20depth%20of%20field.pdf

THE ASSIGNMENT: (edited Nov. 8)
I want you to take photos with shallow depth of field. The requirements:
1. blurry background and sharp eyes
2. shoot wide open. (the largest aperture on your lens--smallest number)
3. The photo must include a dog as the subject.
4. Since we are learning about how aperture and lens affects DOF, every photo posted must include the focal length and the aperture setting (85mm f2.8)

Experiment with how to get the background out of focus and have the eyes sharp. 
The pdf explains the principles on how to create images with shallow depth of field, but to summarize:
1. Use a large aperture (small number)
2. Use a longer focal length (larger mm for your lens)
3. Get closer to your subject.
4. Get farther away from your background.

I know for some of you it will be a challenge as you will need to set your focus point on single point and be more critical when focusing. Make sure that single focus point is on the eye of your dog. It's harder at wide apertures. Take more photos if necessary. It may require learning about the focusing system of your camera a little better. Practically everyone expressed interest in learning to take great action shots. Well, this lesson and understanding the focusing system of your camera are both critical first steps to getting there.

Thanks for reading if you get this far, and I look forward to seeing you practice these principles.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

FYI. Here is the uncropped as well as an additional crop.  There is room for a different crop. I love all of the sparkly bokeh. I have done some editing in lightroom, this image hasn't gone into photoshop yet. what do you think?

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

There is something about the uncropped version that just grabs me.  It's like she is going through an enchanted forest.  I guess it depends on what you want to use it for and personal taste.  Either way the bokeh is beautiful.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I love both versions.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have to say I agree with Anne about the uncropped version. It is such a cool image. As for the crop, I like the first version better. I feel as if there should be more space to the right (direction she is facing) than the left. The bokeh is magical. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love the first shot too!  

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

All are beautiful; however there is something magical about the second image.

[DJ & Chance]

Glorious bokeh in each of these shots, and Georgia is such a character!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great images and great bokeh.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Thanks Anne and DJ. I like the second one too.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great shots, Nancy. I am with all of you who think the second shot is very special. What would it look like cropped even more? I also have the 135 mm lens. I like that lens, but much prefer my 100 mm.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

These are terrific.  I just love the second one --but her smile in the last one is almost human!  Love her --she looks like she's got so much personality!

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

Thanks Cheryl. She does.