Backyard tree B & W

[mkmom]

I took this picture in our backyard trying to get a nice shot of this interesting tree. I wanted to have the background out of focus but couldn't get it to work right for me. Some advice on how to do that in the future would be helpful. Maybe I need a longer lens. Right now I just have the kit lens that came with the camera. Also, there's something not quite right about this, but I can't figure out what it is. I love that I caught the sunlight just right. I'm pretty new to "real" photography so any input would be greatly appreciated. This photo has not been retouched at all.


Canon EOS REBEL T2i
f/20
1/1000 sec.
ISO 3200
27 mm
No flash, compulsory

Thanks for your input,
Andrea

[jentenna]

To reduce the depth of field (get the out-of-focus background), you need to:

1. Reduce your f-number (open up to a wider aperture). With the kit lens, you should be able to get down to around f/4.

2. Use a longer focal length.

3. Get closer to your subject.

Of course, with this specific case, the house is a huge distraction, and that's probably what's "not quite right" here. Unfortunately, if you want to keep all the branches in focus, you probably won't be able to blur out the house. Try taking this photo at a different angle.

More generally, it looks like you're in an Auto mode, and the camera DEFINITELY didn't choose the right settings for what you were trying to achieve. Plus, your ISO is maxed out (noise increases), but your shutter speed is really fast... which isn't necessary for a stationary subject. Learn about the Exposure Triangle (Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" is a great place to start) and move to one of the "creative" modes (Av, Tv, or Manual), so you can take the reins from your camera's Auto settings.

Hope this helps!

[mkmom]

Originally Posted by jentenna

To reduce the depth of field (get the out-of-focus background), you need to:

1. Reduce your f-number (open up to a wider aperture). With the kit lens, you should be able to get down to around f/4.

2. Use a longer focal length.

3. Get closer to your subject.

Of course, with this specific case, the house is a huge distraction, and that's probably what's "not quite right" here. Unfortunately, if you want to keep all the branches in focus, you probably won't be able to blur out the house. Try taking this photo at a different angle.

More generally, it looks like you're in an Auto mode, and the camera DEFINITELY didn't choose the right settings for what you were trying to achieve. Plus, your ISO is maxed out (noise increases), but your shutter speed is really fast... which isn't necessary for a stationary subject. Learn about the Exposure Triangle (Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" is a great place to start) and move to one of the "creative" modes (Av, Tv, or Manual), so you can take the reins from your camera's Auto settings.

Hope this helps!

This helps soooo very much - thank you! You're right - I think I had it in auto - I thought that ISO looked high, but like I said, I'm still new to all this. Your suggestions are very useful and I will try again to see what I get.