DOF question

[Ubo_Pakes]

some time ago, I saw this picture of a dragon hiding behind the bushes. I liked it and I took the picture on purpose with a relative shallow DOF so that the focus would be on the dragon. In a way I like the shot, but I keep on feeling that maybe I should go back and try again to get the flowers in focus as well ...

What do you think?

Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 200 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

File Size: 292 kB
File Type: JPEG
MIME Type: image/jpeg
Image Width: 1371
Image Height: 2048
Encoding Process: Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample: 8
Color Components: 3
X-Resolution: 72 dpi
Y-Resolution: 72 dpi
Orientation: Unknown (0)
Software: Picasa 3.0
Date and Time (Modified): 2010:05:02 21:11:30
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE
Date and Time (Original): 2010:05:02 12:37:14
Date and Time (Digitized): 2010:05:02 12:37:14
Max Aperture Value: 5.7
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Light Source: Unknown
Sub Sec Time: 80
Sub Sec Time Original: 80
Sub Sec Time Digitized: 80
Color Space: Uncalibrated
Sensing Method: One-chip color area
CFAPattern: [Green,Blue][Red,Green]
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Focal Length In35mm Format: 300 mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
Image Unique ID: ac863ac4273123aecaa4c6fdca3d1570
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
XMPToolkit: XMP Core 4.1.1-Exiv2
Rating: 0

[ML Photography]

The real problem to me is that most of the image is out of focus, and this is quite distracting from the real subject. You could for instance try closing the aperture to f/9 and see what you get...

[wulf]

About half the image is taken up with out of focus flowers while the dragon is relatively small and, while decently lit, still quite dull compared to the vivid pink of the blooms. If you used a smaller aperture for a wider DoF, the flowers would become even more dominant.

Therefore, I think the answer is to retake the shot but try different framing so that your subject is clearly dominant.

Wulf

ps. See the FAQ for information on how to add an image directly from Flickr into your post.

[Ubo_Pakes]

thanks. the feed back of both of you is a good reason to go back and try again.

ubo

[Ubo_Pakes]

Didn't have time yet to go back, but I reframed the existing picture and yes, i think it is better now! Thanks and I still will go back there

[wulf]

The balance is definitely improving in favour of the dragon.

Wulf

[Ubo_Pakes]

:-) Thanks