Blurring background and foreground
Oct 28, 2011 21:13:22 #
I was under the impression that I could not create photographs that had a sharply defined image up front (foreground) and a blurred background; or create a photograph that had a blurred background and foreground, with a sharply defined midground image. Can I do this with my D7000 Nikon? I've tried, but I'm not entirely sure of whether I succeeded. What are some settings and lighting conditions under which I might definitely achieve the above? I' m all the more perplexed because my lens focal range says 18 - 105, and I'm able to achieve apertures of 6.3 up, at 6400 iso. HELP!
Oct 28, 2011 21:47:41 #
phoneguy55
Loc: upstate NY
it's all in the aperture setting........
check this out....
http://www.photoaxe.com/examples-for-understanding-depth-of-field/
check this out....
http://www.photoaxe.com/examples-for-understanding-depth-of-field/
Oct 28, 2011 22:31:51 #
You're thinking is going the wrong way I think. Narrow depth of field really has nothing to do with the camera.
You should be trying to arrange your settings so you are shooting with the lowest fstop possible. I'm guessing your lens is f3.5 at the widest. But there is another problem.
The effect you are looking for is not going to be possible under most circumstances using only 105mm lens. For maximum effect you would need to shoot with a lens that would go f2.8 or better f1.8. This is the biggest factor for narrow depth of field. Telephoto lens is the next factor for narrow depth of field. You should be looking at 200mm or 300mm f2.8. I'll tell you now the lens is very expensive. What's the good news.
You can achieve the same or relatively same effect using software. Look here to see if this is the effect you'd like to achieve. http://tiltshifted.com/
You should be trying to arrange your settings so you are shooting with the lowest fstop possible. I'm guessing your lens is f3.5 at the widest. But there is another problem.
The effect you are looking for is not going to be possible under most circumstances using only 105mm lens. For maximum effect you would need to shoot with a lens that would go f2.8 or better f1.8. This is the biggest factor for narrow depth of field. Telephoto lens is the next factor for narrow depth of field. You should be looking at 200mm or 300mm f2.8. I'll tell you now the lens is very expensive. What's the good news.
You can achieve the same or relatively same effect using software. Look here to see if this is the effect you'd like to achieve. http://tiltshifted.com/
Oct 28, 2011 22:53:32 #
ShakyShutter wrote:
You're thinking is going the wrong way I think. Na... (show quote)
Using LensBaby would achieve the same results, does it not?
Oct 28, 2011 23:26:26 #
When I'm shooting flowers with my 105 mm lens, I always get a blurred background. If I'm using it to take pictures of my grandson, no, I don't. It all depends on how you are using a lens. What makes the difference is how far I am from the subject.
Oct 29, 2011 07:58:26 #
bschrag
Loc: Houston, Texas
I simply say what a beautiful photo that is of the flower. It looks like an oil. The grandson is spectacular also. Of course I have a special place in my heart for grandsons (even tho mine just started college - sob - lol).
Oct 29, 2011 08:37:50 #
If you look close at the picture of you grand son . The photo in a frame in the back ground right behind his head is blurred .so you are getting some effect.
Oct 29, 2011 08:39:05 #
Oct 29, 2011 08:57:22 #
photocat
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
There are three things that control DOF and how it is used.
Fstop, focal length of the lens, and distance between the camera and the object in question.
You need to move you son further away from the wall
Fstop, focal length of the lens, and distance between the camera and the object in question.
You need to move you son further away from the wall
Oct 29, 2011 15:00:37 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
Oh for the good ol' days of film cameras! They used to have depth of field guides on the lenses. Set the f/stop, look at the guide, and it would tell you what was in focus and what wasn't. Want to change the depth of field? Just change the f/stop on the camera and you'd have an idea as to what was and wasn't in focus! They even had the guides on telephotos lenses (at least the ones I used). I wish someone would develop an easy to use calculator for depth of field. I would buy it and use it!
Oct 29, 2011 15:04:50 #
photocat
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
Isn't that the truth.
I bought a zeiss 50 1.4 recently and lo and behold there it was on the lens DOF markings.
I think there are products available but off the top of my head i don't recall the name or if it was easy. :)
I bought a zeiss 50 1.4 recently and lo and behold there it was on the lens DOF markings.
I think there are products available but off the top of my head i don't recall the name or if it was easy. :)
Oct 29, 2011 20:53:57 #
photoman022 wrote:
Oh for the good ol' days of film cameras! They us... (show quote)
http://www.dofmaster.com
Oct 29, 2011 22:41:34 #
ShakyShutter wrote:
br You should be trying to arrange your settings ... (show quote)
I don't agree with using software to blur or sharpen - IMHO, that's to rescue a once-in-a-lifetime (My last pin going down for 300,say) shot- it's not necessary - and the f-stop doesn't have to be that open, either - IF you have a long lens !
ISO 320 f5.8 1/160 sec 35mm equivalent = 673 mm
Oct 30, 2011 15:13:52 #
there are many DOF caculators out there. also if you have a smart phone there are apps also. to realy see the differance is to play with your camera. go out and shoot the same subject such as a can on a fence. use different f stops and focal lengths. as you change the focal length move in closer or futher from the subject to keep the same prospective. make notes as to your setting. This way you can see for yourself how your camera and lens does. The more you play with the setting the more you understand the effects settings have.
Oct 30, 2011 22:03:26 #
Depth of Field is what you are talking about and understanding it is what is going to give you the ability to achieve what you want, not just get what happens. This is where the older manual cameras, film and light meters helped people learn about photography instead of taking pictures until you get what you want. I call that the shotgun approach. Read about depth of field, there are many tutorials available. That is just one step to becoming a better photographer, not just a person with a camera. Nice camera by the way. To answer your question, yes, your Nikon can do that and much more.
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