How to take shallow DOF shots using Canon SX210is

[th3lion92]

hello all,
I would be very much thankful to you if anyone could help me using my point at shoot camera to the fullest. I want to learn taking shallow DOF shots but dont know what settings to choose what focus to set and etc. Plz guide me if anyone else has canon sx210is and is master in it thankyou

[ceremus]

It's difficult to get shallow DoF from most point-and-shoots just by their nature. Usually they have smaller maximum apertures and smaller sensors, both of which contribute to deeper DoF.

First recommendation is to shoot in Av and use the largest (lowest numeral) aperture possible. On that camera I think it's f/3.5 when fully zoomed out, and will become smaller as you increase the zoom. Usually the first consideration of shallow DoF is aperture size.

The next consideration is focal length. The longer the focal length the more blur you can produce. This may or may not work for whatever shots you're trying to frame, it may be helpful for portraits to zoom in if you have the room to back up.

Lastly is the closeness to the subject. As the focus distance decreases so does DoF, so the closer you are to your subject the shallower your DoF will be.

[th3lion92]

Yes it has lowest 3.1 aperture.
I will try to work on it but can you tell me what do you mean by focal length like how should calculate it?

[ceremus]

Oh yeah, sorry, focal length is basically your level of zoom. Short focal length would be zoomed out, longer focal length would be zoomed in. Or more precisely, short focal lengths are wide-angle, and long focal lengths are telephoto.

[Nicole]

Another thing you can do is use the scene modes on your camera for scenes other than they suggest. So, try using portrait or macro modes when you want more shallow DoF.

[th3lion92]

Thankyou for the suggestions i will try that as well.
one more thing i want to share is that i tried taking shots with lowest aperture 3.1 of multiple items in a row like some cosmetic items, watches and mobile phones separated each other with some distance .
i used tripod and took some shots one by one of each item in focus but i got the same result like none of the photos were different .as i wanted to blur two items while keeping one in focus.
I dont know whether my camera is useless for capturing shallow depth of fields shot or what.

[inkista]

It's very difficult to get shallow DoF with a 1/2.3" sensor. Just about the only way to do it is to use macro mode, and shoot a nearby object. Suggest you zoom all the way out (NOT in), as this will give you access to the smallest minimum focus distance, and the widest aperture setting on your camera.

[th3lion92]

thanx alot all of you i finally figured out the manual focus function and it helped me big time taking shallow DOF shots.
one more thing i wanted to ask is that how do i get the EXIF DATA for my photos taken fron Canon SX210 is? can anyone tell me please

[ceremus]

EXIF data can be found in the details of your JPEGs when you right click and go to their properties.

Like so.

[th3lion92]

Thanx alot