#2

#3

some pretty awesome butta getting posted...

I think we all get the idea here now.. So if you are still sitting on the sidelines, NOW is the time to post your example, or ask questions if you are having trouble understanding how all this butta is being made.

There are NO stupid questions.... (other than the one you don't ask...cause that one is really stupid).

If you are looking at these images, and breaking down in tears wondering "How come I can't do this !!!"... POST THAT...

Let us feel and heal your pain.

Gtrman

wiping tears as i look at the last one posted, her colors are so great and all shot at the same ISO why can't I DO THAT????  is there a happy medium, or should i have shot my assignment in bright sun and hoped i could find the medium ISO that would be "ok" for the first and last but right on for the middle?  OKAY, so you said no stupid questions, but i think i have just asked one (or more?)  lemme have it

 Karrie, I don't know if this will help or not but - when I shoot I try to go with the lowest ISO that will allow me to handhold. That is a holdover from shooting film since higher ISO = more grain on film.  BUT - as you go higher in ISO the sensor is more responsive to the light, so you can use a faster shutter speed and get the same exposure.  someone posted a link to the simcam - check out the ISO example there  it really helped me to "get it"

pmuncy was shooting in the shade it looked like, but still used a low ISO - probably she used a tripod since the fastest shutter was 1/200.  The others, 1/30 and  1/10 would not really be handholdable.

 This may have already been covered (there are so many posts I couldn't read them all ;) ), but I thought I'd comment anyway...

Depth of field (the area of the photo that is in acceptable focus) is controlled by four things:  aperture, distance to subject, focal length, and format size.  I know this assignment is about aperture, but without understanding that there are other influential aspects, DOF can be confusing.

To get more DOF: 

use a smaller aperture (big f/#)

use a shorter focal length

increase focusing distance

decrease format size (unless you've got several cameras to choose from you can probably ignore this)

To get less DOF:

use a larger aperture (small f/#)

use a longer focal length

decrease focusing distance

increase format size

For instance, if you are focused at the hyperfocal distance or further it's not going to matter if you are at f/2, DOF will be huge.  On the other hand, at a focusing distance of a few inches even f/32 won't have much DOF. 

With a 17mm lens at f/2.8 DOF will be fairly deep, while with a 200mm lens even f/8 or f/11 may blur the back ground quite a bit. 

If you are using a compact digital camera with a tiny sensor (format size) even your largest aperture (smallest f/#) may not be enough to get much of a blurry background, unless your focusing distance is very short, and your focal length is very long.  

Matt Needham:

 

For instance, if you are focused at the hyperfocal distance or further it's not going to matter if you are at f/2, DOF will be huge

Once again Teachers, KIS... Keep it simple . Remember this is not for the pros, so If we are gioing to use big words, we need to define them or use a term that the people that are doing this can relate to. Not that anything you said was wrong, it was Great and exact information.

We just need it in a form that people that don't know their Hyperfocal Distance from a Hole in the ground will understand...Not make fun of anyone either that doesn't know their hyperfocal Distance from a hole in the ground ...it just sounded good.

All right... point and laugh all you want...

I didn't notice a difference???

My camera doesn't have allllll the bells and whistles because I'm super broke right now and can't afford a supergiant awesome one, but it is a Canon and has quite a few manual options.  I went to AV mode (which I'd never used) and it only goes from 2.6 to 8.0, but I didn't notice anything different between the three shots... (runs and hides)

Is it me?  Is it because it was cloudy?  Do I need to play with the ISO and shutter speed more?  It adjusted the SS automatically, but I can change that if I need to... I told you I didn't know much!

Karrie:

wiping tears as i look at the last one posted, her colors are so great and all shot at the same ISO why can't I DO THAT????  is there a happy medium, or should i have shot my assignment in bright sun and hoped i could find the medium ISO that would be "ok" for the first and last but right on for the middle?  OKAY, so you said no stupid questions, but i think i have just asked one (or more?)  lemme have it

I think we all have to remeber one point, The assinment was given rules and you were to follow them and NOT change things. So this would show, how things can go wrong. SO, we all learn from it. But it should not be mistaken for what you would do in a real life shoot, where you would Vary your ISO in order to. Bring your Shutter speed into line. Or maybe you would have used f1.8 and instead got closer to your subject.

The point was NOT to have 3 perfect shots. It was to show the effects of 3 different Aperture setting and sometimes those effects are good, sometimes they are bad.

laurabelle:

Is it me?  Is it because it was cloudy?  Do I need to play with the ISO and shutter speed more?  It adjusted the SS automatically, but I can change that if I need to... I told you I didn't know much!

Not you, try being closer to the subject you are shooting.  Also try having the background further away.  I know I used to be able to do this with my canon P&S - what model do you have maybe someone could help. 

It can work - here is a link to one with good butta from my P&S - I was fairly close, I did zoom way in and I also pushed the close-up button though I was in AV mode not close-up mode. http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c282/grundylady/?action=view&current=PinkBeeBlur.jpg

laurabelle:

All right... point and laugh all you want...

I didn't notice a difference???

My camera doesn't have allllll the bells and whistles because I'm super broke right now and can't afford a supergiant awesome one, but it is a Canon and has quite a few manual options.  I went to AV mode (which I'd never used) and it only goes from 2.6 to 8.0, but I didn't notice anything different between the three shots... (runs and hides)

Is it me?  Is it because it was cloudy?  Do I need to play with the ISO and shutter speed more?  It adjusted the SS automatically, but I can change that if I need to... I told you I didn't know much!

No, this is a limitation of a Point and Shoot Camera.. As Matt pointed out, because of the small sensor that is in them and the limited aperture range, (f2.8 to f8.0) , You will not be able to get great shallow Depth of Field shots. The only thing you can try is getting closer to your subject.

mercube:

Ok, so I have only been taking pictures with my P&S and can't get this to relate to my camera.

It's not you.  It's the camera:  a combination of a very small format and short focal length.  You may have better luck seeing the differences in aperture choice if you set your camera to it's longest focal length, and photograph a subject that is very close to the camera. 

riverhills:

i love the block. It really make it so easy to see the difference.

Moose:

laurabelle:

All right... point and laugh all you want...

I didn't notice a difference???

My camera doesn't have allllll the bells and whistles because I'm super broke right now and can't afford a supergiant awesome one, but it is a Canon and has quite a few manual options.  I went to AV mode (which I'd never used) and it only goes from 2.6 to 8.0, but I didn't notice anything different between the three shots... (runs and hides)

Is it me?  Is it because it was cloudy?  Do I need to play with the ISO and shutter speed more?  It adjusted the SS automatically, but I can change that if I need to... I told you I didn't know much!

 

 

No, this is a limitation of a Point and Shoot Camera.. As Matt pointed out, because of the small sensor that is in them and the limited aperture range, (f2.8 to f8.0) , You will not be able to get great shallow Depth of Field shots. The only thing you can try is getting closer to your subject.

 

Yeah... I saw that post right after I made mine.

Damn.  I'll be needing to break open the piggy bank pretty soon I think.

Moose:

Once again Teachers, KIS... Keep it simple .

I definitely understand.  I knew hyperfocal length may be an unknown term to some (particularly since zooms became popular and DOF scales on lenses disappeared); I was hoping they'd google it. 

Here's an article at Naturescapes.net about DOF that gets way more complicated than most photogs need, but for anyone wanting to explore further...

And if you want to play with DOF on your computer just google "DOF calculator".  There are many available on the web.  Look for one that allows you to input both format size (camera) and focusing distance, as well as focal length and aperture.

riverhills:

Holy Crap How Cool are YOU !!!... Now THAT was creative...love it haha

Great demo..great. shots...

 A+

Gtrman

Midweek Assignment Feedback...

Kay everyone...take your seats please....Moose..GND...Stop it.. and put the hamster down.

I'm very happy with all of your work turned in so far.  A couple of notes.

1. This is the first of many...and it, like everything else new, will have its kinks to work out.

2. I think we are suffering from too many cooks in the kitchen. All meaning well, and all providing valuable advice. But I'm seeing the difficulty level go from 0-60mph in 2 seconds. That will be fixed in the next lesson.

3. Good camera vs. Bad camera issues.  Very important that this series will apply to different photographers and their equipment in different ways. Some will apply to you and some may not. That DOES NOT mean your camera sux, or that you can't do this. (I will never be part of something that doesnt include EVERYONE). If your particular camera cannot do something, or to the DEGREE another does...don't mean squat. The TECHNIQUE is what is important to learn.

4. I'm loving how everyone jumps in to help each other. I think it was MY BAD (no one elses) to not be more strict on what you can contribute to the convo. I tried to slow it down, but the tidal wave already swamped the boat. Stick around for lesson #2.. It will be worded and monitored more closely.

5. I still want all three levels to participate and be challenged. VERY important. But we need controls on how much info is directed at each participent so they do not drown.

6. Seeing some of the questions coming from the beginners is AWESOME !.. Can I please ask you all to read this sentence three times to yourself.

Tell them how to fix the tire...not build the freaking car.

say it again now...

Tell them how to fix the tire...not build the freaking car.

Can I GET AN AMEN

Tell them how to fix the tire...not build the freaking car.

C'mon now...You in the back

Tell them how to fix the tire...not build the freaking car.

More examples please !...Keep em coming... THREE SHOTS  SHOWING BUTTA ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL POSTS INSTRUCTIONS..

Hugs

Gtrman

((((raising hand)))))

Mr. LeBleu, can I go use the restroom?

Mr. LeBleu, why is the sky blue?

Mr. LeBleu,  Moose is spitting spit wads at Jenn's head, could you make him stop?

 LOL....

1. No

2. Because it lost it's little puppy.

3. Moose...I told you...don't spit wads at Jenn, spit peanuts...they hurt more..

OKAY.... ENOUGH...back to work, people !! No Rat Holes !

haha

gtrman:

3. Moose...I told you...don't spit wads at Jenn, spit peanuts...they hurt more..

Mr. Lebleu...I am trying to concentrate....  Really I am!!

Okay people back to butta!  Post them or I am going to have Moose aim the spit wads at you!

gtrman:

Seeing some of the questions coming from the beginners is AWESOME !..

Okay I need a tire fixed.

I was gonna ask for tutoring cause I was a little overwhelmed.

Since Im a beginner you're all gonna have to just bare with me for silly questions.

*Takes a deep breath*

So...I see that everyone was posting objects that had height and distance behind the subject. I wanted to see what would happen if I used a flat object. Was that wrong? At 1.8 there was no butta not even parkay!

So I guess my question is, is the depth of field behind the subject have to be a cetain distance in order to create the blur?

For instance I took a notebook and placed it on the grass. Nothing. I moved the notebook to the edge of a deck where it had distance behind it over the edge. I got the butter...mmmm.

Can you not get butter with flat objects? When the background is kinda flush to the object? What is the least amount of distance to get the yummy butter. Or am I totally off and it's not even the distance behind the object that causes the butta?

I may have missed a few classes. Well let me rephrase. I was in class but my eye