Assignment 4 - do you think these are ok?

[jenships]

Before submitting, which of these do you think are best? And if neither, some tips for improvement please? I know I understand all the concepts, but I just haven't had a lot of time to get out with a newborn and toddler so struggled somewhat with subject matter.

I wasn't sure if the photos with the large DoF were sharp enough or if I should have gone with a smaller aperture? What do you think?


Oh and I have done no editing as I'm waiting to reinstall lightroom and PS on my computer - plus, I wasn't sure if editing is allowed??

Thanks :)

[coffee]

If I'm not mistaken, and I certainly can be, the assignment was an exercise in controlling the DOF with aperture. I also believe the object is to take a shot with a narrow DOF, and one where the background is in focus.

If this is the case, non of these shots show the background in focus. They do show the background in better focus, but not in good focus.

If you can stop down more I would try that. You can also shoot at a time of day when it isn't so extremely bright out, and the less lit condition will keep the shutter open longer at the same ap you are using for these. In this way you should get better DOF at the same f.

[jenships]

Yep Joseph I think you are right!!

Thanks for the tips - will try again something at a different time of day as well.

[simon]

Hi jenships
I think you might have made the same misunderstanding of the brief as I did a few months ago when I did this assignment (see attachments).
With my camera at least, a canon G10, the sensor is very near the lens and with my submissions I had tried to get the blurring back ground with the same shot different aperture. I lost a few marks for not zooming in on the shallower DoF as explained in the brief which would have exaggerated the background blur.
In regards to your shots, which are looking good, I do not see any with a larger DoF ie. sharper focus from foreground to background. And you may have not put them up.
Of the first 2 shots in my opinion the first one is focused too near the camera. Maybe the tighter DoF would be better positioned half way or at least further down the fence. The second looks better but i would say in the background too much blurring if it is the larger DoF shot.
Of the second 2 I would say similar problems and the bars not sharp enough. Nice compositions though.
Hey these are just my opinions but I hope they were useful.
All best with rest of course. I am still getting through it and enjoying the development.
Happy snapping

Simon
PS I do not think this assignment requires much if any editing (maybe a bit of cropping and tweaking) as it is about working the camera.

[jerryph]

No need to get fancy or anything, just show a picture with a narrow DOF and a deep DOF and understand how it works and why.

Here is what I handed in:

Both in focus:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2230616818_813c6220fc.jpg

Same photo, but one obviously not in focus:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2229823445_bb83fde52f.jpg

Simple, easy and makes the point for the exercise. :)

[jenships]

hehe they are awesome jerryph - very creative!!

I handed in my assignment...I got 90% which I was pretty happy with, and now that I know the different elements that get marked I think my next assignment will be better.

Technically my photos were good (I didn't use the ones posted above, as I took some hints and tips and tried again), it was just that they weren't very 'creative' which is fair enough...and of course last night I got struck by a brilliant idea I could have used LOL.

I am looking forward to tackling the next assignment now :D