Can't decide if focus is off a little or way too much for sharing with others.
Jan 29, 2022 11:07:31 #
Focus is very important to me it would help to know how others view this photograph, sometimes when I like a photograph the line where to delete or not becomes blurry. (pun)
Am I being too self-critical?
Am I being too self-critical?
Jan 29, 2022 11:10:53 #
Jan 29, 2022 11:16:10 #
I do not think you are being too self critical at all. It is a nice photograph BUT the focus is off. It it was my photo I don't think I would submit it. I am starting to believe in an old adage, show only your best work.
My apologies if I am being too harsh.
Dennis
My apologies if I am being too harsh.
Dennis
Jan 29, 2022 11:20:37 #
Jan 29, 2022 11:25:59 #
dennis2146 wrote:
I do not think you are being too self critical at all. It is a nice photograph BUT the focus is off. It it was my photo I don't think I would submit it. I am starting to believe in an old adage, show only your best work.
My apologies if I am being too harsh.
Dennis
My apologies if I am being too harsh.
Dennis
No apologies necessary, I felt it was, thank you.
Jan 29, 2022 11:30:52 #
jeweler53 wrote:
I stand by my statement. Perhaps for a contest, No. Still it is a good photo.
Thank you, I will be keeping it for myself until I can revisit that site and hopefully catch another more in focus.
Jan 29, 2022 11:40:42 #
I wouldn't keep it. I would, instead:
1) Try to get closer, either physically closer or adding focal length. Being a crop from a 45MP camera, this seems just too far for the lens used and distance to subject. Given the lens zoomed to 500mm but only 260mm was used, you left a lot on the table for getting closer with the current equipment.
2) Try a slower shutter and smaller aperture. These are wading birds shot at 1/2000 sec. At a minimum, cut that shutterspeed in half to 1/1000 sec and use the adjustment for a lower ISO or smaller aperture (or some combo of both). Shot at ISO-250, I'd take that shutterspeed adjustment and apply just to a smaller aperture.
Click to the 1:1 details of the post. It's not that the birds are out of focus. Rather, there's simply not enough details of the birds. Imagine that same crop where you can see the fine-details of the feathers and beaks, on all three birds, or at least the closer two. That would be the keeper.
1) Try to get closer, either physically closer or adding focal length. Being a crop from a 45MP camera, this seems just too far for the lens used and distance to subject. Given the lens zoomed to 500mm but only 260mm was used, you left a lot on the table for getting closer with the current equipment.
2) Try a slower shutter and smaller aperture. These are wading birds shot at 1/2000 sec. At a minimum, cut that shutterspeed in half to 1/1000 sec and use the adjustment for a lower ISO or smaller aperture (or some combo of both). Shot at ISO-250, I'd take that shutterspeed adjustment and apply just to a smaller aperture.
Click to the 1:1 details of the post. It's not that the birds are out of focus. Rather, there's simply not enough details of the birds. Imagine that same crop where you can see the fine-details of the feathers and beaks, on all three birds, or at least the closer two. That would be the keeper.
Jan 29, 2022 11:46:33 #
azted
Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
cedymock wrote:
Focus is very important to me it would help to know how others view this photograph, sometimes when I like a photograph the line where to delete or not becomes blurry. (pun)
Am I being too self-critical?
Am I being too self-critical?
The people above will be critical for you. While they may be technically correct, what is wrong with the image can be corrected with ease, and practice. What is right with the image, the composition, cannot be taught as easily, and you show the eye of an artist with your image. Keep it up and do not let the technical issues slow you down from pursuing your artistic vision.
Jan 29, 2022 11:55:27 #
Some things to consider:
What was your shutter speed? New recommendations are that shutter speed should now be 1.5 to 2 times the focal length instead of the previous equal to. If you are older, not as steady and/or your equipment is heavy it might be beneficial to double shutter speed.
Does your camera allow you to fine tune your auto focus with your lenses? I have a 70-200 Tamron that I have the fine tune perfect on my D750 but haven't quite nailed it on the D810. If you haven't checked your lenses recently you may need to readjust the settings.
Did you use a tripod? For the photos I really want to nail focus I set up the tripod and attach the shutter release cord (you can also use the camera's timer). It makes a difference!! I admit that it can be unwieldy and not always available but essential for doing everything possible to produce the quality you want.
Are you using a quality lens? Kit lenses are often soft. The manufacturers are improving them but if you compare a $100 lens to a $1000 lens you will find many differences in quality of materials and engineering. I'm not saying all lower cost lenses are soft but the extra quality is there for a reason.
These are just a few suggestions and I'm sure others will add more. Good luck in your pursuit of that sharp photo!!!
Dodie
What was your shutter speed? New recommendations are that shutter speed should now be 1.5 to 2 times the focal length instead of the previous equal to. If you are older, not as steady and/or your equipment is heavy it might be beneficial to double shutter speed.
Does your camera allow you to fine tune your auto focus with your lenses? I have a 70-200 Tamron that I have the fine tune perfect on my D750 but haven't quite nailed it on the D810. If you haven't checked your lenses recently you may need to readjust the settings.
Did you use a tripod? For the photos I really want to nail focus I set up the tripod and attach the shutter release cord (you can also use the camera's timer). It makes a difference!! I admit that it can be unwieldy and not always available but essential for doing everything possible to produce the quality you want.
Are you using a quality lens? Kit lenses are often soft. The manufacturers are improving them but if you compare a $100 lens to a $1000 lens you will find many differences in quality of materials and engineering. I'm not saying all lower cost lenses are soft but the extra quality is there for a reason.
These are just a few suggestions and I'm sure others will add more. Good luck in your pursuit of that sharp photo!!!
Dodie
Jan 29, 2022 14:10:15 #
cedymock wrote:
Focus is very important to me it would help to know how others view this photograph, sometimes when I like a photograph the line where to delete or not becomes blurry. (pun)
Am I being too self-critical?
Am I being too self-critical?
Alas, the focus is off.
When I get shots like this with a scene and subject I like but focus is "almost" I run them through one of apps that makes them look like a painting. My current favorite is the "oil painting" filter in photo shop.
Jan 30, 2022 02:18:43 #
There's a difference between people that are seen as good photographers and those that are seen as run-of-the-mill. It's not that the good photographers always get things right, it's that they only show their good stuff. If you missed focus, work out why, then go and do it properly. I'm sure the birds will be back.
Jan 30, 2022 06:29:38 #
I tried to sharpen the birds a little to compare with the softer version (sharpening is more evident in the download). It's a nice image either way
Jan 30, 2022 08:28:28 #
I think I'd see what Topaz Sharpen would do for it. I tried something else. If you crop our the bottom section that's totally OOF, it makes the upper part look sharper. And, I like it better as a horizontal. You didn't ask that, but it playing with it, I came upon that presentation and found that to my eyes, it was an improvement.
Jan 30, 2022 09:29:56 #
While I'm no expert but the birds are not tack sharp they are not wildly OOF. I agree with cropping the forground to make the rest look better.
Jan 30, 2022 09:35:49 #
It really isn’t off that much. Running it through Topaz Sharpen AI and cropping off the bottom would do wonders for the photo.
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