I've set a goal for improving composition and sharpness on landscape images this year. So I'd appreciate your feedback. Does this do anything for anybody?
Posted by Darren White on March 31, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Catherine, I can see where you were using lines in this image, however, I really think the muddy dirt distracts from the beautiful flowers....
your sharpness is great in the foreground but gets soft as the image goes towards the back...that would have something to do with the lens you were using...if you were using a wide angle lens and took the same shot at f.22 or 29, this would be tack sharp all the way through!
Thank you both for the helpful comments. Darren, really appreciate the info; so used to wanting to see close that I automatically reach for more lens instead of wide angle. That would make the difference in sharpness! Duh... These kind of comments are just what I was hoping for.
Posted by Darren White on March 31, 2007 at 4:32 PM
This is a quote about Hyperfocal Distance from Galen Rowell's "Vision"
"I helped people use hyperfocal distance to get the greatest possible DOF. the principle of hyperfocal distance is not to focus at the nearest or farthest subject but to use the hyperfocal point exactly in between. Because focus falls off twice as fast in front of the subject as behind, this is not the numerical midpoint of the distances, It is found by focusing at the point physically midway on the lens between the close and far subject distances. The Crux is that the proper aperture must be chosen to ensure enough DOF to keep those points in focus."
Galen Rowell's Vision
pg. 202
left side
last paragraph
YES! Hyperfocal distance. As you can see, I didn't think about it when I needed too! That's the trick after all, isn't it? Gotta have the knowledge in consciousness so it can get to your finger tips befpre it's time to release the shutter... More excuses to practice. Good thing it's more fun than practicing something far more tedious. Piano lessons, anyone?
Discussion
6 repliesD200, 300/2.8D AFS; tripod w/Wimberley Sidekick, cable release; f22, 1/20, ISO 200.
Thanks for taking the time to look.
your sharpness is great in the foreground but gets soft as the image goes towards the back...that would have something to do with the lens you were using...if you were using a wide angle lens and took the same shot at f.22 or 29, this would be tack sharp all the way through!
"I helped people use hyperfocal distance to get the greatest possible DOF. the principle of hyperfocal distance is not to focus at the nearest or farthest subject but to use the hyperfocal point exactly in between. Because focus falls off twice as fast in front of the subject as behind, this is not the numerical midpoint of the distances, It is found by focusing at the point physically midway on the lens between the close and far subject distances. The Crux is that the proper aperture must be chosen to ensure enough DOF to keep those points in focus."
Galen Rowell's Vision
pg. 202
left side
last paragraph