Another great blog to get us thinking Gill, with some lovely artistic images. I’ve seen loads of videos where the vlogger has focus stacked landscape scenes and although I’ve often thought I should try this I’ve always avoided to date. Possibly because it’s not natural for everything to be sharp but more likely I’ve just been lazy! I’ve been settling more around f5.6-8 lately but will definitely experiment with shallower depth of field now.
Thank you David, I am glad this post gave you some ideas for your own photography. Its a good challenge because it definitely makes you think differently about your compositions. Focus stacking is great in some instances but images don't always have to be sharp front to back. Sometimes a shallower DOF gives a more interesting mood.
It is strange how obsessed so many landscape photographers are with sharpness, given how many photographers in other genres are obsessed with narrow depth of field! Great exercise to get out of your comfort zone - I'll be sure to try it. Thanks
I agree James and thank you for your comments. Sometimes I feel a shallow dof gives a much more interesting image - I like to mix it up a bit and see what works. 🙂
Thanks for another thought-provoking article, Gill. I’ll definitely be giving this a go as I think it will bring out the expressive quality of my images.
I think having unsharp parts in a frame, or even the whole frame, make a more interesting photo. To me it is more portraying a certain moment and feeling then it is to record exactly what's there.
Another great article, some great shots. I like the blurring effect and only a small part in focus too . It definitely suits the location you were in with the boats. It's nice to pick out some small detail to stand out in the photo.
I love your image examples and explanations, Gill. The combination of the wide aperture with the telephoto compression renders beautiful backgrounds that allow your subject to truly stand out as the star of the photo.
Interesting post and images! Always love a “think outside the box” challenge and this seemed a good one. How did the others on the photo walk enjoy the challenge? Any considering doing it again sometime (ie, creating images with a wide open aperature)?
Thank you very much for your comments. Everyone on the walk found it an interesting challenge although some found it difficult to begin with as the thought process around compositions needs to be different. But they all said they would try it again. 🙂
I really love the idea of this challenge and will be implementing it in the future. Just thinking about these types of shots will help me see details in the landscape I might otherwise miss. Thanks, Gill!
Thank you for your comments Pete, I hope you enjoy experimenting with some shallow dof shots. They definitely open up a whole range of different compositions and images.
I have noted this F2.8 theme with another photographer who is holding a photo walk workshop later in the year, so have not seen the results. Certainly it is a interesting concept and I like what you have done with it, I prefer the first capstan shot though! In some what of a response I have posted on Phogrsphing Suffolk Facebook page some of my results using a recently acquired 45 to 150 lens on MFT, giving an equivalent 90 to 300 focal length, and have been quite satisfied with the detail shots!
Thank you very much Chris for your comments and its always interesting to see what images appeal to different people. I will look out for air images on Facebook (I have been away running a workshop for the last few days so am now trying to catch up!)
I am a big lover of shallow dof. Your examples how to use it are great!
Thank you very much Susanne. Shallow dof with a long lens is my favourite.
Another great blog to get us thinking Gill, with some lovely artistic images. I’ve seen loads of videos where the vlogger has focus stacked landscape scenes and although I’ve often thought I should try this I’ve always avoided to date. Possibly because it’s not natural for everything to be sharp but more likely I’ve just been lazy! I’ve been settling more around f5.6-8 lately but will definitely experiment with shallower depth of field now.
Thank you David, I am glad this post gave you some ideas for your own photography. Its a good challenge because it definitely makes you think differently about your compositions. Focus stacking is great in some instances but images don't always have to be sharp front to back. Sometimes a shallower DOF gives a more interesting mood.
Very interesting and lovely images. Definitely makes you think outside of the box composition wise
Thank you Hayley, I am glad you found it interesting. I love working with a shallow dof - it is a great way to add mood and interest to an image. 🙂
It is strange how obsessed so many landscape photographers are with sharpness, given how many photographers in other genres are obsessed with narrow depth of field! Great exercise to get out of your comfort zone - I'll be sure to try it. Thanks
I agree James and thank you for your comments. Sometimes I feel a shallow dof gives a much more interesting image - I like to mix it up a bit and see what works. 🙂
Thanks for another thought-provoking article, Gill. I’ll definitely be giving this a go as I think it will bring out the expressive quality of my images.
Thank you Julia, I think it will suit some of your images really nicely and is a great technique for panel shots. 🙂
I think having unsharp parts in a frame, or even the whole frame, make a more interesting photo. To me it is more portraying a certain moment and feeling then it is to record exactly what's there.
Absolutely Marcel, I completely agree. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
Another great article, some great shots. I like the blurring effect and only a small part in focus too . It definitely suits the location you were in with the boats. It's nice to pick out some small detail to stand out in the photo.
Thank you very much for your comments Maria. I love using this technique on a walk with the camera as it opens up so many possibilities.
Yes I use wide(r) apertures in landscapes as well, for exactly the reasons you mention :)
Thank you for your comments Ronald. Shallow dof definitely adds mood and opens up so many different possibilities.
I love your image examples and explanations, Gill. The combination of the wide aperture with the telephoto compression renders beautiful backgrounds that allow your subject to truly stand out as the star of the photo.
Thank you very much for your comments Jennifer. It is a technique I love to experiment with for all the different possibilities that it creates.
Interesting post and images! Always love a “think outside the box” challenge and this seemed a good one. How did the others on the photo walk enjoy the challenge? Any considering doing it again sometime (ie, creating images with a wide open aperature)?
Thank you very much for your comments. Everyone on the walk found it an interesting challenge although some found it difficult to begin with as the thought process around compositions needs to be different. But they all said they would try it again. 🙂
I really love the idea of this challenge and will be implementing it in the future. Just thinking about these types of shots will help me see details in the landscape I might otherwise miss. Thanks, Gill!
Thank you very much Erik. It is a lovely way to photograph from time to time and definitely gives scope for different compositions and images.
Just goes to prove that you do not have to shoot at F11 all the time.
Exactly Philip, I completely agree. Thank you very much for your comment.
Absolutely Gill. Love shallow dof , sometimes front to back looks to clinical and lacks a bit of mystery. Gorgeous images as always.
Thank you Jon, thats really kind. I really enjoy your shallow dof images, they have so much mood and interest.
Thank you Gill. Created a lesson for me to experiment and understand various settings and different Results they can give you.
Thank you for your comments Pete, I hope you enjoy experimenting with some shallow dof shots. They definitely open up a whole range of different compositions and images.
I have noted this F2.8 theme with another photographer who is holding a photo walk workshop later in the year, so have not seen the results. Certainly it is a interesting concept and I like what you have done with it, I prefer the first capstan shot though! In some what of a response I have posted on Phogrsphing Suffolk Facebook page some of my results using a recently acquired 45 to 150 lens on MFT, giving an equivalent 90 to 300 focal length, and have been quite satisfied with the detail shots!
Another great thought provoking blog, thank you!
Thank you very much Chris for your comments and its always interesting to see what images appeal to different people. I will look out for air images on Facebook (I have been away running a workshop for the last few days so am now trying to catch up!)
I'm glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Thanks Gill. This spurs me on to purchase my next lens!
Thank you Sian, I hope you enjoy your new lens.