It's December, and there is a high of 30 predicted for us on Saturday as an arctic front moves in. "Trough" and "arctic front" are my two most feared weather phrases in Northeastern Pennsylvania. That cold is a good catalyst for getting closer to the fire, our doggy lap covers, and any other significant snugglers we can find.
This week I used and experimented with several different lenses in an effort to get closer to things. I could not get out of my mind those flip board games we used to play as a kid. You know the ones that would have 5 different faces, 5 different mid-sections, and 5 different rest-of-the-bodies? You would flip one face, then flip until you found the middle section you wanted to match it, then flip for the bottom sections. They were made with both animals and people. I have seen versions of them in today's world with Disney princesses.
Maybe this came to mind because it is flippin' hard to get really close to animals with a camera and lens in your hands unless they are asleep or heavily sedated.
At any rate, some lenses will let you get close and some will not. Some will present a shallow depth of field the closer you get and some will not (and this can also depend on your settings with a particular lens). I tried a 50mm, my 24-70mm and a macro (35-105mm). Over and over again. Not in a PITA over-and-over again sort of way, but in a FUN over-and-over again mode.
This week I used and experimented with several different lenses in an effort to get closer to things. I could not get out of my mind those flip board games we used to play as a kid. You know the ones that would have 5 different faces, 5 different mid-sections, and 5 different rest-of-the-bodies? You would flip one face, then flip until you found the middle section you wanted to match it, then flip for the bottom sections. They were made with both animals and people. I have seen versions of them in today's world with Disney princesses.
Maybe this came to mind because it is flippin' hard to get really close to animals with a camera and lens in your hands unless they are asleep or heavily sedated.
At any rate, some lenses will let you get close and some will not. Some will present a shallow depth of field the closer you get and some will not (and this can also depend on your settings with a particular lens). I tried a 50mm, my 24-70mm and a macro (35-105mm). Over and over again. Not in a PITA over-and-over again sort of way, but in a FUN over-and-over again mode.
What you are seeing here are the fruits of my labor. By now you may even know which body parts belong to which dog in my household.
Because getting closer will undoubtedly leave quite a large portion of your image out of focus (that depth of field thing) I always feel it's a good thing to use a creative crop. I also used texture overlays on all of these images.
As part of the process, I learned that Lilah will sit for anything, even getting uncomfortably close to her with the camera because she knows beyond the shadow of doubt that a treat will follow. It is often hard to keep her OUT of photos you don't want her to be in.
Because getting closer will undoubtedly leave quite a large portion of your image out of focus (that depth of field thing) I always feel it's a good thing to use a creative crop. I also used texture overlays on all of these images.
As part of the process, I learned that Lilah will sit for anything, even getting uncomfortably close to her with the camera because she knows beyond the shadow of doubt that a treat will follow. It is often hard to keep her OUT of photos you don't want her to be in.
Luke, on the other hand, will walk behind you whenever you point the camera at him and want him to be in front of you. I use the very effective throw-a-treat-on-the-ground-somewhere method, which Luke will run and try to find. Once he finds it, he will eat it and then he will look right at you for more. By that time I'm focused in and ready to go and BOOM, I snap the photo and feel like I, the human, have won!
Of course, this method CANNOT be used with eight dogs in the room. The resulting kerfluffle would not be something ANYONE would want to be close to.
So my question to you would be, do you think you can recognize which image I took with which lens? I am not quite sure how to give you the answer. It's not like a crossword puzzle, where I can put the answer on the back of the page, or write the answer upside down at the bottom.
But, if you decide to respond in the comments section, I will reply and let you know if you are correct. Give it a whirl. See what you think.
Here is a final photo of Lilah's full head shot. It's her close up, Mr. DeMille. I find it much easier to get closer to flowers, insects and small amphibians. Except spiders. Never spiders.
Of course, this method CANNOT be used with eight dogs in the room. The resulting kerfluffle would not be something ANYONE would want to be close to.
So my question to you would be, do you think you can recognize which image I took with which lens? I am not quite sure how to give you the answer. It's not like a crossword puzzle, where I can put the answer on the back of the page, or write the answer upside down at the bottom.
But, if you decide to respond in the comments section, I will reply and let you know if you are correct. Give it a whirl. See what you think.
Here is a final photo of Lilah's full head shot. It's her close up, Mr. DeMille. I find it much easier to get closer to flowers, insects and small amphibians. Except spiders. Never spiders.
Now get up close and personal with the rest of the blog circle, starting with Jessica Wasik of Bark & Gold Photography, serving Pittsburgh pets and their people. If you are in an arctic air mass this weekend, stay warm!
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