There are many times, while trying to obtain a good photo, when I've found myself in a situation where it is just impossible to get the subject alone, or far enough away from whatever is around it. There are other times when I would prefer the subject is not alone, but still stands out from the scene. It's times like these that lend themselves to using a wider aperture.
A few things you need to remember: the wider the aperture, the less the items surrounding your subject will be in focus, depending upon the lens you are using and the distance you are standing from your subject. When I first started learning photography, this made me crazy. I laughed when an instructor told me "don't worry, it will be like knowing your own name in a few months."
I spent some time in a field with horses for this week's Project 52 photos. Thankfully, everyone cooperated. The photo below was taken at a focal distance of 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, focusing in on the first horse. It is a good illustration of how an aperture, opened up to its largest setting, can help the subject stand out from the rest of the elements in the scene. Because it would have been much too bright for the time of day, I increased my speed to 1/1600s. I like the way these three horses formed somewhat of a line which angled itself on a hillside. This was right before all three came up to investigate my camera to see if it was edible.
A few things you need to remember: the wider the aperture, the less the items surrounding your subject will be in focus, depending upon the lens you are using and the distance you are standing from your subject. When I first started learning photography, this made me crazy. I laughed when an instructor told me "don't worry, it will be like knowing your own name in a few months."
I spent some time in a field with horses for this week's Project 52 photos. Thankfully, everyone cooperated. The photo below was taken at a focal distance of 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, focusing in on the first horse. It is a good illustration of how an aperture, opened up to its largest setting, can help the subject stand out from the rest of the elements in the scene. Because it would have been much too bright for the time of day, I increased my speed to 1/1600s. I like the way these three horses formed somewhat of a line which angled itself on a hillside. This was right before all three came up to investigate my camera to see if it was edible.
(I have used this method with my own dogs in the past. I have also used the Depth of Field button on my camera to gauge where I am while setting up a shot, and then moved myself either further from, or closer to, the subject depending on the results I am looking for.
Here is a photo taken during the summer of 2015 using the same practice. Billie and Piper can often be found playing and generally hanging out together. Piper is also a master at photo-bombing. I think they teach Border Collies this in "How To Be A Border Collie" school. I loved the way Billie looked at the moment and did not want to sacrifice the shot until Piper left it, so I opened up the aperture all the way. (Focal length 50 mm, f/1.8, ISO 200, 1/200s)
Here is a photo taken during the summer of 2015 using the same practice. Billie and Piper can often be found playing and generally hanging out together. Piper is also a master at photo-bombing. I think they teach Border Collies this in "How To Be A Border Collie" school. I loved the way Billie looked at the moment and did not want to sacrifice the shot until Piper left it, so I opened up the aperture all the way. (Focal length 50 mm, f/1.8, ISO 200, 1/200s)
To even further isolate while using this method, you can convert an image to black and white. I find that certain images do lend themselves to being converted, and may help with a not-so-great color scheme, especially just before spring when the browns and tans have not converted to green, or when items in the surroundings could take the eye away from the main subject.
That's just what I did with the image below, which gave it a whole different feel. (Focal length 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/1600s)
That's just what I did with the image below, which gave it a whole different feel. (Focal length 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/1600s)
Now it's your turn to hit the blog circle trail and see what everyone else was up to this week. Start with Kim Hollis, Charlotte NC-based, See Spot Run Photography, and work your way around until you are back here! Have fun!
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