From front to back for every kind of shot, no I don't think so. Or to have certain elements out of focus? I think it can add interest or show motion as you have here. But blurry all over doesn't fly too well for me unless it is intentional in producing an effect. And generally speaking Grand Scenics are nice to have sharpness front to back.
Steve - the landscape is sharp, is it not? It's the birds that are soft And the contrast of the two is what makes it work, otherwise it'd just be a blurry photo. I love this one!
I second what's already been said. If everything is blurry, I think the image fails. But here you have sharp rocks to serve as a reference point for the moving birds, so it works for me. I'd love to see a larger version of this. It's tough to appreciate at this size.
Posted by Steve Sieren on July 8, 2009 at 12:55 PM
The background is a little soft here.
I'm really asking if there is a time when there is subject such as a close object in the foreground can the background go soft? I feel sometimes it enhances the focus of the subject not to mention when you take your depth of field to the limit. Of course you apply focus bracketing but I feel sometimes the boca just gives it a better feel.
Steve, while your image does not totally work for me, I understand your goal. Personally, I would have opted for the birds in the middle of the frame to be sharp, and the other birds toward the edges be soft, because the main subject of this is the birds, in my opinion.
I Think that soft areas in the foreground and/or background can work nicely. A lens with a pronounced bokeh would be called for, I think, in order for the effect to be truly pleasing. One solution is to shoot with a view camera where swings and tilts can be used to precisely place the plane of sharp focus. Take a look at the work of our very own Michael E. Gordon's for excellent, and beautiful, examples of this type of work. Harley is also using this technique.for some of his work.
If you think I am trying to 'convert' you to the 'dark slide'; you're right! Just kidding. I think the look you're going for is certainly worth experimentation. Have fun with it!
-P
ps: To include hyperlinks, click the 'Text Styles Menu' link adjacent to the text editor to see the format to use. -p
Posted by Dan Baumbach on July 9, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I think that it's probably more interesting with the blurs than if everything was sharp.
Doesn't work for me. I'd want to see some sharp birds and shapes and some blurry.
It's missing a topical point of interest for contrast sharp/soft. For example, a single
sharp bird and others blurred would single it out and make a memorable shot.
Without that, it's like slurring a sentence. You may have an interesting point to
make, but it doesn't get through.
Posted by Steve Sieren on July 16, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Preston, not afraid of the dark side just seems a bit pricey and the need for patience on film would kill me.
These snowy plover move so quickly and simultaneously, I was just trying to capture there rythem so I just thought forget the sharpness.
Discussion
9 repliesSorry, it's a rough draft but maybe it works as is.
The large version is a lot nicer so I hope to get a link to a larger version since it's in pano format.
Large file - http://sieren.smugmug.com/gallery/7554437_jLnXL#585546406_JCja9-O-LB
My 2c,
Derek
I'm really asking if there is a time when there is subject such as a close object in the foreground can the background go soft? I feel sometimes it enhances the focus of the subject not to mention when you take your depth of field to the limit. Of course you apply focus bracketing but I feel sometimes the boca just gives it a better feel.
I Think that soft areas in the foreground and/or background can work nicely. A lens with a pronounced bokeh would be called for, I think, in order for the effect to be truly pleasing. One solution is to shoot with a view camera where swings and tilts can be used to precisely place the plane of sharp focus. Take a look at the work of our very own Michael E. Gordon's for excellent, and beautiful, examples of this type of work. Harley is also using this technique.for some of his work.
If you think I am trying to 'convert' you to the 'dark slide'; you're right!
-P
ps: To include hyperlinks, click the 'Text Styles Menu' link adjacent to the text editor to see the format to use. -p
- Dan
It's missing a topical point of interest for contrast sharp/soft. For example, a single
sharp bird and others blurred would single it out and make a memorable shot.
Without that, it's like slurring a sentence. You may have an interesting point to
make, but it doesn't get through.
These snowy plover move so quickly and simultaneously, I was just trying to capture there rythem so I just thought forget the sharpness.