Help with depth of field: I've been shooting a lot of football sideline photos of my grandsons. I used to do a lot of portraiture so I understand DOF pretty well. How can I narrow the...

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Help with depth of field

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Aug 28, 2013 11:49:48 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I've been shooting a lot of football sideline photos of my grandsons. I used to do a lot of portraiture so I understand DOF pretty well. How can I narrow the DOF?

My current camera is a brand new Canon EOS Rebel SL1, I'm using a Tamron 18-270, F/3.5-6.3 Di ll VC PZD zoom.

I'm trying to get more of the back ground out of focus; the spectators, side line people etc.. and focus mainly on the players on the field. It has mainly been bright and clear sunny days shooting. Everything I've getting seems to be almost at infinity (my players are in sharp focus but so is the background) I try to shoot mainly in manual or shutter priority, I need some ideas.

Daved65

Aug 28, 2013 11:59:01 #

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Shoot with a large aperture (smaller number) and attempt to position yourself so as to reduce background distractions. 8-)

Aug 28, 2013 11:59:13 #

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

What F stop are you using Dave? Are you able to post a picture and check off store original?

Aug 28, 2013 12:00:24 #

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Just use a wider aperture. Say f4 instead of f16. The wider the f stop the less depth if field.

Aug 28, 2013 12:04:49 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

Everything That I tried Sat. usually ended up over exposed. I kept trying to use lower f/stops, but shutter speed wouldn't work, I ended up going to program just to get some shoots. I'm not really sure; I thought I was around 4.5-5.0.

Aug 28, 2013 12:10:13 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

My new camera records all data for each shoot I will find an example and post it with the data for that shot.

Aug 28, 2013 12:17:02 #

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Bmac wrote:

Shoot with a large aperture (smaller number) and attempt to position yourself so as to reduce background distractions. 8-)

Please post a sample and check "store original" David

Aug 28, 2013 12:24:34 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I know that a small f/# is a big aperture and that is my goal for the background to be out of focus, but my shutter speed usually isn't fast enough to capture the action or I'm way over-exposed

Aug 28, 2013 12:36:12 #

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

Something amiss here. Larger aperture = faster light gathering or faster shutter speed = stop action and background out of focus. f2.8 = big opening faster shutter, f22 = smaller aperture slower speed. Am I missing something here?

Aug 28, 2013 12:58:34 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I am now some what confused my self; I will attempt to post a few photos with camera info.

Aug 28, 2013 13:34:03 #

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Have you tried a neutral density filter? Especially in daylight situations, an ND filter may allow you to dial in a wider aperture value - and thereby achieve a narrower DOF - without exceeding the camera's maximum shutter speed for proper exposure.

Photographers often either forget or don't realize that ND filters are useful for more than just taking long exposures; they can also be used for greater aperture value flexibility.

Aug 28, 2013 13:41:20 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I'm not sure exactly what a ND filter is, I have a Hoya NXT HMC/UV on that lens right now, is that a ND filter? Thanks
DaveD

Aug 28, 2013 13:57:28 #

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I have three photos posted in the Gallery under depth of field

Aug 28, 2013 14:08:25 #

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

DaveD65 wrote:

I have three photos posted in the Gallery under depth of field

Your post you did not click on "store original". Can you post one or more and click on that. We could help better. David

Aug 28, 2013 14:21:52 #