Deliberate OOF

[Hill Country Hack]

I was out shooting a VA gravesite and wondered how a deliberate OOF shot would turn out. My intent was to allow the scene be "anywhere".

My only question: Too much OOF?

I am getting some mixed reviews so I'm thinking it is a personal thing. I like what I did, but I get a nagging feeling I have over done it a bit. Your thoughts?

EXIF by memory (not critical for this question)
f2.8
ISO 100
50mm
Can't remember the shudder speed

[windrider86]

hmmm, not quite my cup of tea but could be someone else's. How's that for an opinion?

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by windrider86

hmmm, not quite my cup of tea but could be someone else's. How's that for an opinion?

Better than a kick in the head.

[NathanFranke]

It's not bad. I've seen similar stock photos, so you may be able to sell it. Not sure if it would be improved by even less focus, or if it needs something in focus but with very narrow DoF.

[The LoKW]

I like it - I think you could even have gone more abstract and created a visual puzzle of textures and colors beyond the current and it would have still been pleasing to my eye.

In fact, I recently took a shot of some leaves that I intentially wanted to be more about colors and textures so used an extremely small DOF with a 50mm. Not sure how successfully though!

TFS

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by The LoKW

I like it - I think you could even have gone more abstract and created a visual puzzle of textures and colors beyond the current and it would have still been pleasing to my eye.

In fact, I recently took a shot of some leaves that I intentially wanted to be more about colors and textures so used an extremely small DOF with a 50mm. Not sure how successfully though!

TFS

Great minds, perhaps? I took a similar shot to what you describe, but with zoom blur instead of narrow dof. Not sure how much I like it, but see for yourself at the 500px link in my sig.

The more I think about it, I remember seeing more and more OOF shots in ads and stuff around town these days.

[Doug Sundseth]

At the risk of reopening a debate, the bokeh here is a bit unpleasant. Normally I don't care much, but when there's nothing in focus, it becomes more of an issue.

For a background or as part of a composite, I could see this photo working well (say for an invitation to a memorial service), but as a stand-alone image it doesn't work well for me.

[flytyer57]

I would have to say the OOF is a bit too much. If perhaps the fence was in focus, or the trees in the background... Anything to give something to focus on.

[EmyB]

I think it's nice but I suspect that's because of your watermark! As in, the photo would work well as a background to something. I think it's the right amount of out-of-focus. Anymore and you probably wouldn't be able to make out it's a graveyard. Any less and it might look like you missed focus.

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by NathanFranke

Great minds, perhaps? I took a similar shot to what you describe, but with zoom blur instead of narrow dof. Not sure how much I like it, but see for yourself at the 500px link in my sig.

The more I think about it, I remember seeing more and more OOF shots in ads and stuff around town these days.

You mean this isn't something new?

Thanks to all who responded.

I am continuing the journey from snapping to actually putting time and effort in my photography. I try to produce what my mind sees. It will be a process with plenty of "What the hell was I thinking?" moments and maybe even a gem or two.

It is valuable input from my fellow DPSers that allows me to grow.