Limit depth of field for creative blur

[Ian]

We haven't had a challenge topic for a while. So, to accompany the introductory article we have just published (http://dpnow.com/5973.html) on the subject of limiting depth of field, post your limited dof shots here.

The article points out that you don't HAVE to use a big long lens and a DSLR, so I'll be interested to see shots from compacts as well as DSLRs!

Here's one to start you off:

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022611.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16800)

This is actually a bike resting on the top of a canal boat moored in the shade on the Grand Union Canal, in Apsley.

Ian

[Mike Parr]

Here's a couple of shotsa to start
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6026544_copy.jpg
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6016508_copy.jpg

[Ian]

Nice ones, Mike - is that an iris in the top one and is that the missus in the second? :) Were these taken today?

Here's a couple more from me:

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022621.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16805)

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022596.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16803)

Ian

[Mike Parr]

The iris was taken today Ian, one of the water versions, and yes that is the good lady with her oss:D taken yesterday afternoon
Mike

[Ian]

I've always liked irises - we had some big old fashioned ones in our garden when I was a child.

Here are a couple more:

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022603.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16804)

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022661.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16806)

Ian

[Horacio]

My contribution. Picture taken with E30, 50-200mmm, 200ASA, f3,5 - 1/500, handheld, raw. I focused on the insects.

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//568/medium/E4070372-1.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16807)

[Ian]

Hi Horacio - I like the luminous quality of the leaves and green is my favourite colour.

Ian

[Ian]

Here is another one, also from today. Taken with a 250mm lens (90-250 f/2.8 Zuiko Digital zoom - 2x factor for Four Thirds) equivalent to a 500mm on full frame and mated to a 2x converter, so this is a 1000mm f/5.6 shot, hand held at only 1/160th, and he was moving away from my vantage point! :D

It looks OK on the Web here, but it's actually not that sharp close up!

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/P6022671.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16808)

Ian

[veggiesosage]

Here's a couple

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3457855340_cbeef59fcb_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiesosage/3457855340/in/set-72157607942222010/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2843938940_19c45f2c54_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiesosage/2843938940/in/set-72157607061651013/)

[Ian]

Thanks for those Veggie - macro is a fine example of photography with severely limited depth of field - down to millimetre's worth in fact!

Here is a shot from Christmas:

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/PC280259-2.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16811)

ISO 800, 1/20th sec @f/2.0 35mm (70mm equivalent)

Ian

[Ian]

And another...

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/1306866.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16812)

Ian

[Pol]

Here's one with a slightly different approach. Manual focus used to select out Augustus (aka Gus, Gussy da pussy or even her real name, which is Hugo) sleeping in one of her favorite sunny spots amongst the shrubs. I like her little, pink nose. :D

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/gussykip-751_850ww.jpg

Pol

[Ian]

Nice one Pol and well pointed out that the creative blur need not always be behind the subject :)

Ian

[Mike Parr]

I tried to blur the leaves on this but got it wrong...................trust me............today in plymouth
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6036593.jpg

[Mike Parr]

this was better
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6036592.jpg

[Julia]

Hi Mike,
I think I actually prefer the first one :-)

My daughter and I spent half term in Gran Canarias with a school friend of hers and her mum. This one is Elizabeth outside a restaurant.

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//999/Elizabeth.jpg

and this one is on the way to said restaurant looking over the end of the path into the sea.

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//999/grass_rocks.jpg

It was a lovely evening.

[Gez]

Face in a crowd isolated by dof.


http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//577/medium/DSC_3049_edited-2_copy.jpg

[Ian]

This was taken with an f/1.0 lens - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.0, now discontinued.

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//766/IMG_0055.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16862)

This is extreme limited depth of field. Angela (Canon's PR manager back in 2001 when we were on a factory tour in Japan) is mostly out of focus except for the tip of her nose :D)

Ian

[Martin]

Heres Rose catching the evening sunshine.
FZ30 at 3.7 420mm
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//574/Rose1.jpg

[Ian]

Ah, good, a 'compact' or bridge camera example - thanks Martin!

Ian

[jojo]

Here's one from me: taken on our day at the falconry centre recently. The eagle is perched(?) on the falconer's glove. Back lighting and some fill flash used along with a medium tele at f2.8

jo

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/Batleur-Eagle-4.jpg

[Ian]

Hi Jo - wow - that is so sharp and yet combined with maximum blur in the background. The additional lighting has really brought the bird out in a three dimensional sense.

Ian

[jojo]

along with a medium tele at f2.8



Er, got this a bit wrong - just looked at the exif data. It was actually taken using shutter priority and under exposed by 1.3 stop, but as on camera flash used (max synch speed of 1/200) the aperture was f10. Also used a short tele too *whack

Going for a lie down now*LOL

jo

[Gina]

Here's a couple from me using a 50mm lens - my absolute favourite lens.

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//565/medium/nic_1909a.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16783)

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//708/medium/Dominique2_0798webdp.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16241)

[coupekid]

Terrific thread!

I have my 50mm f1.8 which I have raved about before. For eighty quid, its a must have for a canon user in my opinion!

Here are a few of my efforts:

Firstly my daughter, eating one of her faves, toast and jam:


http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/toast.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16891)


Next up, a certain someone who will remain nameless threatening me! (OK so, its a toy, slightly edited by me to make it look more authentic)

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/gun.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16890)

Lastly, a wedding I photographed, bride at the front, and bridesmaids at the back.

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/fam52.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16889)

[Pops]

The Common Blue taken yesterday

.
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/bug11.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16894)

[veggiesosage]

Here'sone using a compact, a Fujifilm f31fd

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3448423205_ba8104ed99_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiesosage/3448423205/)

The creative blur is somewhat limited but its there.

And here's one from dslr land with Pentax M 100mm f2.8

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3464397754_663c70dcab_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiesosage/3464397754/)

[Ian]

I see some good limited dof examples have been posted overnight - thanks everyone and keep 'em coming! :)

Ian

[Horacio]

here is another example that is more confusing and, to me, one more striking!!!

Sole´s portrait

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//576/medium/sole-portrait.jpg

[rkhart]

Here's a photo taken in my aunt's flower garden using a Canon Rebel (f/5.6).

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/IMG_0133_2.jpg


And another (f/4.5).

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/IMG_0117_2.jpg

[ekkl]

A few from my Gallery. I will have a look later for a few newer ones and upload them here.

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//888/IMG_1089.JPG

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//888/Sparkler.jpg

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//829/Fence1.jpg

[Mike Parr]

a couple from today
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6076685_copy.jpg
http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/6076673_copy.jpg

[Josh Bear]

Here's my take.

Best regards

Josh

http://www.pbase.com/joshbear/image/113487141.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/joshbear/image/113487138/original.jpg



http://www.pbase.com/joshbear/image/113487136.jpg

[ekkl]

Two from an amazing derelict building...

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//888/IMG_8317.jpg

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//888/IMG_8016.jpg

[Mowgli]

Ian sugested this one should go in
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/Backlit_flower.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16913)

and here are a couple more
http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/medium/Fuscias.jpg

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/medium/Seagull1.jpg

Mowgli

[Gina]

Charlie, our 12 year old Springer

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//642/medium/cha_2053.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16949)

Nicole: Portrait/Family shoot - 50mm lens

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//576/medium/nic_1911.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16955)

[veggiesosage]

One more from me, those statues again

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//500/medium/3470098287_e158c04a39_o.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16976)

[ekkl]

Josh, your images look great, the colours are so vivid, did you do anything to enhance them or are they straight out of the camera?

[Josh Bear]

Hi

thanks for the comments. I love punchy colours. I always shoot in RAW then process in lightroom. In lightoroom I do take time to explore black levels and vibrance controls.

At the end of the day I guess it is down to personal preference.

Best Regards

Josh

[Ian]

Hi

thanks for the comments. I love punchy colours. I always shoot in RAW then process in lightroom. In lightoroom I do take time to explore black levels and vibrance controls.

At the end of the day I guess it is down to personal preference.

Best Regards

Josh

Indeed - I can't stand pictures that have washed out blacks and the black level is very important for me in Lightroom.

Ian

[devilgas]

been trawling through the archives to try to find something suitable shot with the fuji f30 (too easy to do with an SLR ;) ) and came up with this....

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data//673/medium/limited_dof_compact_camera.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/16988)

got an acceptable degree of foreground and background blur and shows that it can be done with a compact, just needs a bit of thought is all.

[rkhart]

Holding a 1 month old baby's hand.

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/IMG_0483_2.jpg

[ash]

This is not with a compact but one of my fav dof shots.

http://dpnow.com/galleries/data/500/Chains.jpg (http://dpnow.com/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/21157)