buddah17 Loc: The Bahamas

Hello'
I just purchased my first DSLR, a Canon 70D. I want to know the various ways that I can get various key points in the background out of focus.
I KNOW that I should "read the manual" but right now I'm in Santa Fe for two days, just learning the camera (I just purchased the suggested $29 lesson online from another reader.)
The thing is I want to get some specific style photographs today and tonight,) New Year's Eve..
I have a 18-135mm, 3.5-5.6 lens that may also be causing me to get too sharp a background?

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

You can blur the background by increasing the distance between your subject and the background. You can also achieve this by increasing the magnification. So, if you zoom in on your subject, the background will be out of focus. Also you should try to shoot at the widest lens opening possible. (lowest number i.e. f/3.5 at 18mm and f/5.6 at 135) Hope this helps.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

buddah17,

If your Canon has manually selectable focus points, select the central square for the focus point. Press the shutter half way down to lock the focus on the spot where the central square was pointed, then recompose the scene and press the shutter button all the way down.

The lower the f/stop the narrower the Depth of Field for focus.

Good luck,

Michael G

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

I agree, ebrunner








:thumbup: :thumbup:

buddah17 Loc: The Bahamas

Thanks to all who answered..

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Changing to a single focus point instead of auto where the camera evaluates 19 points will be a first step. When multiple points are active / available, the camera thinks you want everything in the frame in focus. The camera will then select a smaller aperture to capture more in focus. To confirm, look at the f# on some shots where you didn't get the blurred background you wanted. You'll likely see numbers like 8.0 or 11 or even 14. Manually selecting a single focus point will alert that camera that you want just this one part in perfect focus.

Another change would be to move to Av on the Mode Dial. This allows you to specify a specific Aperture value. The maximum value on your lens is f/3.5. The tip about having the background further separated from the subject will help. However, this maximum aperture on your lens might impact how sharp the resulting focus. Experiment with values 3.5 thru 6.3 and see what you can produce that meets your expectations.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

Another approach is to throw a blur on specific areas in post processing. I have used Perfect Photo Suite (OnOne software).

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I guess I don't understand "key points"... what does that mean? Parts of the background? That's not possible. But using the widest aperture you have can. Given the amount of available light you have you may need a tripod as well.

Good luck, happy new year

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

As I discussed above, you can do selective, key points blurring in post processing. Agree that you cannot do it "in camera".

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Buddha, NYE has come and gone. I hope you got your shots. As you mention, your lens is going to be a big limiting factor with creating strong OOF effects. Often Photogs carry a 50 1.8 or faster just for that and/low light use.
Good luck
SS

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Use your widest lens opening and longest focal length .....

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

From the OP's question I would infer that he's a newbie, not familiar with the camera and perhaps not photography in general, let alone any post processing. it sounds like he wants to get a certain type of result that he has seen done by very experienced photographers (not me) My advice would be to use aperture priority and set to smallest f-stop available and get close to your subject.