A lot of help is needed: As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had...

Dietxanadu

As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had thought of using a gray foam board placed behind the engine. But sometimes this is not do able.
I suppose I could have stood by back and done a depth of field shot.
But would do you folks do to get this shot. Or would you just pass on it?.

0-4-0 Saddle tank, Live Steam loco

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Dietxanadu wrote:

As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had thought of using a gray foam board placed behind the engine. But sometimes this is not do able.
I suppose I could have stood by back and done a depth of field shot.
But would do you folks do to get this shot. Or would you just pass on it?.

I'd look for an angle with the least background distraction and shoot with a shallow DoF.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

I like to remove subjects and replace the backgrounds when they are not up to par. Takes a bit of time depending on how detailed the edges are on the subject but well worth it with a great subject.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I would have moved to the front more and taken the shot down the train. But not knowing what is there, hard to say. Also would have gotten lower.
Erv

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

I would have tried an unusual point of view. Perhaps from above looking down or immediately in front of the engine, very close with a wide open lens. You have to let your imagination take over some times and do the unusual.

You could lay across the tracks and take the shot as the train.....on second thought scratch that. :)

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I would have shot trying a shallow DoF as well. Not that I am an expert at anything, but getting a shallow Dof is something I have been practicing on lately. (I've been trying to shoot birds in my backyard and there is a lot of stuff back there that can't be moved so I can pretty much get rid of it by making it blurry and getting the birds in focus.)

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

Dietxanadu wrote:

As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had thought of using a gray foam board placed behind the engine. But sometimes this is not do able.
I suppose I could have stood by back and done a depth of field shot.
But would do you folks do to get this shot. Or would you just pass on it?.

in my opinion, with this angle, shallow depth of field is the best way to go.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Agreed.

Angle, DOF, retake photo.

That is something to give some thought to before hitting the shutter button for all the shots we take; do the mental checklist...

"What's in the background that will distract?"

"Does the DOF contribute to the image that I'm trying to convey?"

"What is the most interesting angle to shoot this subject at to get the effect I want?"

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

rpavich wrote:

Agreed.

Angle, DOF, retake photo.

That is something to give some thought to before hitting the shutter button for all the shots we take; do the mental checklist...

"What's in the background that will distract?"

"Does the DOF contribute to the image that I'm trying to convey?"

"What is the most interesting angle to shoot this subject at to get the effect I want?"

to me this is the hardest part and i am sure as i gain experience it will get better. But i do find myself not really taking a good look before i start shooting and not thinking of the possibilities. then when i get home and start going through stuff i think i should have done this and i should have done that. By that time depending on what it is you can't go and reshoot it.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

normanhall wrote:

quote=rpavich Agreed. br br Angle, DOF, retake p... (show quote)

I do the same thing...it's much easier to dispense advice that to put it into practice. :(

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

Ahhh now we see the real difference between a picture taker and a photographer. Planning ahead! Yes even if it is for a split second. Photographers look into a scene and they see the way it will look AFTER they shoot it.
Angles, distance, light, depth of field etc all go through my mind BEFORE I press down. Also I take many shot in many different positions.

But, there is also photoshop to the rescue... if you are very good at it that background can all but disapear. But, I like to do it right pre "developement".
Hey, good luck with your shooting and keep trying.

Dietxanadu wrote:

As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had thought of using a gray foam board placed behind the engine. But sometimes this is not do able.
I suppose I could have stood by back and done a depth of field shot.
But would do you folks do to get this shot. Or would you just pass on it?.

Iduno Loc: Near Tampa Florida

Take the shot at night or in very low light. Use a flash and expose for the subject while the background comes out black. Can it be done? Yes. I haven't put it to practice yet but should work.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Iduno wrote:

Take the shot at night or in very low light. Use a flash and expose for the subject while the background comes out black. Can it be done? Yes. I haven't put it to practice yet but should work.

Along this same line of thinking you can isolate the subject by using an off camera flash and a high shutter speed, and effectively get rid of any ambient light.

Meter for the ambient, drop the settings down by 3 stops and use a flash...all you'll be able to see is what the flash illuminates.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Dietxanadu wrote:

As you can see there is so much stuff in the back ground. Trees, chairs, trash. Just how can I take this shot and get rig of all the back ground stuff. I had thought of using a gray foam board placed behind the engine. But sometimes this is not do able.
I suppose I could have stood by back and done a depth of field shot.
But would do you folks do to get this shot. Or would you just pass on it?.

Diet,
Not knowing what you used I would have gotten lower, moved a little to the right and set the Fstop to about 5.6. Now at what speed would you set it, that would vary since you are digital shoot it at a variety of them.

George

pfredd

Your quartering camera position seems best angle to display subject. DOF not a viable answer because just where would you put the focal plane? Engine looks to be small, around 30" high, so grey card may be not workHow about a tarp you can colour select erase in processing?
Since subject is near monochromatic try extracting with quick select tool or magic wand. Only tedious area is left of stack, to the bright right very fast and easy. Once extracted drop in new background of your choice, or use what is there cause you can now change luminosity and focus