What’s Your Preference?

Bo_ · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 08:48 PM

Hi,

It has been raining (again) in Denmark and I took this picture of a leaf. I personally like the depht (is it called DOF??

) and the raindrops.
Could you give an idea to improve a shot like this?

I tried also to work with a white background (but the paper was probably to small - so I had to hold it to close to the flower). Does anyone have experience with this technique? Any practical hints to get a good result?

Saralonde · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 09:39 PM

Hi, Bo. I think you did a pretty good job with your first shot. You have a very shallow dof (yes, it is depth of field) which led to a nice background but did not get you whole leaf in focus. It's ok as it is, but if you want to get the entire in focus, you need to close down your lens a little with a smaller aperture (larger number). Sometimes you need to take several shots changing the aperture for each one until you find the one that works.

Did you take the second shot outside? If it was indoors, you can build yourself a DIY light tent http://digital-photography-school.co...read.php?t=305. That will help you control the lighting. If you are outdoors, you might want to use different
settings to give more light to your subject. Also check to see where you are focusing to get your flower sharper.

Bo_ · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 05:34 AM

Hi Saralonde,

Thanks for the help!

Ok - that means (if I understand you correct) I will get a larger DOF (more of the picture in focus) if I run with a lower apenture.

And the second picture was taken outside - I dont remember why it got so dark? But also here I probably was using to large a apenture (some of the raindrops and a part of the "flower" is in focus).

And I have to thank you for the hint with the DIY light tent. My camera can go wery close (in the manual called supermacro - distance is 0 cm) - but then the flash is useless (the lens is making a shadow if I go to close

). But with the tent I dont need the flash

.