walbrookem Loc: Michigan

Nice picture Bob

gessman Loc: Colorado

Glad to be of help. Nice lens, the f1.4. One thing I would urge you to not overlook and that's the fact that you can do the same thing with any lens. It doesn't need to be a f1.4 or f1.8. It can be a 400mm lens that only stops down to 5.6. You just need to have your subject away from whatever background is present and make sure you are far enough away from your subject to get clear focus on that subject. I prefer to use a long lens when space permits it because I can get good shots and bokeh without having to be so close to my subject, particularly useful when shooting candid shots of people and especially skittish animals. That depth of field calculator I aimed Dria towards is extremely useful. If a person truly wants control of their images, they'd go to that and plot the "clear focus" footage for every f-stop on their lens and make a note of the depth of field at each f-stop, allowing them to pace off the appropriate distance behind their subject for bokeh control when shooting a still shot and guestimate it when pacing it off isn't possible. It's just not that difficult if you know your lens and without learning it, you're not going to know it.

walbrookem Loc: Michigan

thanks for y our reply. As they say practice practice practice and I agree withthat

Freddie Loc: Orlando, FL

Gessman, I enjoy when a detailed answer is given because there are beginners and pros on this forum. Detailed responses go a long way in teaching those who haven't asked the question, yet benefit from your knowledge as they read your response. Getting back to basics helps us all from time to time. Thank you.

billybob40

Check this out
http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photoshop-video-tutorials/photoshop-video-tutorial-create-an-electrifying-music-poster-with-photoshop-cs5-extended.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+photoshoptutorials%2Fnew+%28Photoshop+Tutorials%29

gessman Loc: Colorado

Thank you - pleasure is derived from sharing. We have to recognize that there are those among us, me included, who sometimes do not want to ask but would love to know. My philosophy is "leave little to the imagination." This stuff can be confusing enough without adding esoteric answers full of acronyms and vague references.

krysy Loc: Pa

I actually have a Fujifilm Finepix S2950 only cost me $199 plus tax at Walmart, It takes amazing pictures, and as for what your talking bout the back ground blur as i call it, its amazing it focuses only on what u want it too..

roblife

Take a look at sigma 50mm 1.4. Great optics. Also the canon 60mm 2.8 macro is a grate lens too.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Gessman is great. If you want to go cheap her is what i would do. Get an older 135mm f/2.8 lens on eBay. It does not have to be a 1st class lense. Even cheap lenses are sharp in the middle where you want it to be. You will have to do everthing on manual but thats not hard. Yor can use your camera and you kit lens for an expposure meter. Set it on apature and see what speed it sets for f/4 and then put your portrat lens on and set the apature at f/2./8 and your shutter speed twice as fast as your camera used for f/4. Have the background 6 or more feet back and you will get great bokeh. I think you will like the longer lens for head shots. - Dave

Dria Loc: Ohio

walbrookem-- we are suffering from the "it raining and cold" too! I want to go out and try Gessman's tips on my flowers and
downtown!

Leopold Lysloff

Hey everyone.....don't let rain and clouds stand in your way. Some great shots could be made during rain. Wet roads and umbrella people can look pretty neat.
That kind of light often gives off soft pictures and can lead to very nice results.
Just a bit of food for thought.

gessman Loc: Colorado

That's right. Just put on your slickers and rubbers and get out there. Put your camera in a plastic bag with a hole just big enough for the end of the lens to stick out of, put some rubberbands to hold the plastic bag tight to the lens, get an umbrella and go - as long as the lightening isn't popping right around you. It's exhilarating and you shouldn't have to have a mist bottle with you to get those treasured drops of water on everything.

Leopold Lysloff

That's the spirit gessman!

Thanks.

bruce Loc: Vancouver, Wa

Wow, I love all the input on this site. New to this site but I'm sure learning a lot. Gussman, it was a very in depth answer and very helpful to me as I'm sure it was to the questioner.

bruce Loc: Vancouver, Wa

Wow, I love all the input on this site. New to this site but I'm sure learning a lot. Gussman, it was a very in depth answer and very helpful to me as I'm sure it was to the questioner.