2016 PhotoChallenge, Week 8: Dominant Depth of Field Blur – Guest Post

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This week’s challenge is to create a photo with shallow DOF blur dominating the frame, in both the foreground and the background, with only the most important part of the scene (Your Subject) in sharp focus.

Depth of field//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

The challenge here is to do this in camera, not in post-processing…do not photoshop blur into your picture!!!

Stand out//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Those photographers who have this technique already under control might want to try doing it with a lens much shorter or longer than the one they usually work with.

Magnetic-core Memory//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Pay attention to all the elements of your photo, not just the ones in focus, because lines and contrasts can distract from the main subject even when they are blurred. Keep your compositions simple with an interesting subject.

leaf//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

You probably will have to work closer to your subject than you usually do. Using manual focus makes close work much easier. This site has a calculator which will help you determine how far your subject must be from your lens to be sharp: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/dof-calculator.htm.

 

Challenge by Michelle Maani: I started my photography journey in 2006 when I bought my first digital camera, a pocket point and shoot that I bought to record a trip to Europe that summer. I was very disappointed with my shots! I’ve gradually worked my way up through better cameras and learning how to use them. At some point I became enamored with bird photography, and that has been my primary focus for several years.  Now that I have retired I am taking classes and learning what I can do with my camera and about other forms of photography, and I feel like a whole new world has opened. I live in the “other Vancouver”, in Washington state in the US.

The rules are pretty simple:

  • Post one original photograph (Your Image) shot each week per theme posted on this blog to Google+, Facebook, or Flickr (or all three). Tag the photo #photochallenge.org or #photochallenge2015.
  • The shot should be a new shot you took for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
  • The posted image should be a photograph, not a video.
  • Don’t leave home without your camera. Participating in the 2016 PhotoChallenge is fun and easy.

 

 

Now retrieving an image set.

20x50 High Powered Binoculars for Adults, Waterproof Compact Binoculars with Low Light Vision for Bird Watching Hunting Football Games Travel Stargazing Cruise with Carrying Bag
4.3 out of 5 stars(1094)
$28.68 (as of 7 December 2024 09:54 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Now retrieving an image set.

Telescope for Kids & Adults - 70mm Aperture 500mm AZ Mount Fully Multi-Coated Optics Astronomical refracting Portable Telescopes, with Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Remote Control White
4.3 out of 5 stars(3862)
$79.99 (as of 7 December 2024 09:54 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

About Steve Troletti

I'm a Location Scout, Editorial, Nature, Wildlife and Environmental Photographer based in Malibu, California. I specialize in Nature and Urban Nature photography including Infrared Landscapes. The Bulk of my work takes place in the Los Angeles, California area, Greater Montreal Region, Canada, Switzerland, France and Varese in Northern Italy. Ethical wildlife photography is the main priority and focus of my work. A minimum disturbance of the animals, their habitat and the environment is my top priority. This applies as much to total wilderness areas as it does to urban nature environments. Ongoing education of environmental issues and building awareness for the protection of wildlife and wilderness areas around the world is what drives me to document the beauty that surrounds us.