Velvet 56
Oct 10, 2017 13:54:14 #
Yesterday, I had some Velvet 56 pictures posted in the Close Up section. I wasn't real happy with the landscapes because something about them bothered me, and it was the sharpness in those particular landscapes, but I had taken others at other times with that lens that didn't bother me. Now, I wondered what was it about these pictures that was nagging at me. I've reposted one of them as an example to refer to, and another taken earlier last summer for comparison.
Then it dawned on me that there is no specific subject in these pictures to focus on for sharp focus with the effect surrounding it. And if I crop the picture as I did on this example, the center of focus is thrown off and most of the picture is just soft to blurry! Yuk!
Then I came to this conclusion. The Velvet 56 (IMO) is best in landscapes where there is a clear subject on which the focus is placed and the rest becomes background, not a vista or general landscape where no one thing is dominant. The first picture had the focus down that street. I had cropped the right side off because I decided I didn't like the composition as much with it. Had I realized this before taking the picture with this lens, I would have perhaps focused on the yellow trees. But those trees are just as important to me as the rest of them and the perspective of the street.
Had I thought about all of this before taking that shot, I might have picked one of my conventional lenses to use for this shot.
The second picture works for me because there is a definite center of focus on a subject that I'm calling attention to.
I'd like to know what you guys think about this. Perhaps I'm way off base, and would love the feedback.
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Then it dawned on me that there is no specific subject in these pictures to focus on for sharp focus with the effect surrounding it. And if I crop the picture as I did on this example, the center of focus is thrown off and most of the picture is just soft to blurry! Yuk!
Then I came to this conclusion. The Velvet 56 (IMO) is best in landscapes where there is a clear subject on which the focus is placed and the rest becomes background, not a vista or general landscape where no one thing is dominant. The first picture had the focus down that street. I had cropped the right side off because I decided I didn't like the composition as much with it. Had I realized this before taking the picture with this lens, I would have perhaps focused on the yellow trees. But those trees are just as important to me as the rest of them and the perspective of the street.
Had I thought about all of this before taking that shot, I might have picked one of my conventional lenses to use for this shot.
The second picture works for me because there is a definite center of focus on a subject that I'm calling attention to.
I'd like to know what you guys think about this. Perhaps I'm way off base, and would love the feedback.
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Nikon D750, Lensbaby Velvet 56, F8, 1/250, ISO 400
(Download)
The center of focus is on the window with the tree next to it. Same camera but don't remember the f-stop.
(Download)
Oct 10, 2017 14:34:23 #
Cathy, since I don't shoot landscapes, I see what you mean about having to have a focal point that gets your eyes attention..... I do like the second shot much better because of the focus on the window as the main subject and the blur that emanates from it! Always fun to play and learn as you go!!
Oct 10, 2017 17:04:40 #
I agree with you, Cathy, but I'd also say that your first image does have a focal point. My attention was immediately drawn to the trees with the bright yellow leaves. On the second, you might consider cropping a bit from the top to draw attention more to the window on the main floor. Just my opinion though. 
Oct 10, 2017 21:20:51 #
angela k wrote:
Cathy, since I don't shoot landscapes, I see what you mean about having to have a focal point that gets your eyes attention..... I do like the second shot much better because of the focus on the window as the main subject and the blur that emanates from it! Always fun to play and learn as you go!!
I feel the same way, Angela. With my Lensbabies, for the most part I've focused on close ups and never gave different kinds of landscapes much thought. It's definitely "learn as you go" where I'm concerned. lol!
Oct 10, 2017 21:28:40 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
I agree with you, Cathy, but I'd also say that your first image does have a focal point. My attention was immediately drawn to the trees with the bright yellow leaves. On the second, you might consider cropping a bit from the top to draw attention more to the window on the main floor. Just my opinion though.
It's a little late to reshoot that first picture, Donna, since most of the leaves have fallen off of those trees, but I'll try it tomorrow anyway. I've cropped the top off of the second picture right at the base of that top branch coming into the picture on the right. I think you're right. It is better!!! Thank you!
Oct 11, 2017 00:50:17 #
CathyAnn wrote:
It's a little late to reshoot that first picture, Donna, since most of the leaves have fallen off of those trees, but I'll try it tomorrow anyway. I've cropped the top off of the second picture right at the base of that top branch coming into the picture on the right. I think you're right. It is better!!! Thank you!
Beautiful, Cathy!!!
Oct 11, 2017 05:21:20 #
I always enjoy your experiments, Cathy. I agree with Donna about the first shot that the eye immediately goes to those beautiful trees with the yellow leaves. I don't think you should change a thing. The re-crop of the second shot is much better. The window is definitely the focal point.
I agree with your statement about having a subject to focus on in landscapes with the Velvet 56. Otherwise everything just gets wonky, and your eye doesn't know where to go. Or you could use a smaller aperture to get more in focus. It's trial and error and fun to learn!
I agree with your statement about having a subject to focus on in landscapes with the Velvet 56. Otherwise everything just gets wonky, and your eye doesn't know where to go. Or you could use a smaller aperture to get more in focus. It's trial and error and fun to learn!
Oct 11, 2017 07:56:31 #
Hi Cathy.
Both pictures work well, but for different reasons. The window is clearly the subject in the second photo. The first photo highlights the bright color of the trees, making them the subject.
Dan
Both pictures work well, but for different reasons. The window is clearly the subject in the second photo. The first photo highlights the bright color of the trees, making them the subject.
Dan
Oct 11, 2017 08:39:09 #
CathyAnn wrote:
Yesterday, I had some Velvet 56 pictures posted in... (show quote)
the beautiful yellow fall leaves is what caught my attentionon shot no. 1!
Oct 11, 2017 14:38:57 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
Beautiful, Cathy!!!
It's raining today, so no shots of those trees, but your points well taken!
Oct 11, 2017 14:46:56 #
jayway55 wrote:
I always enjoy your experiments, Cathy. I agree wi... (show quote)
You're so right, Jane! Those yellow trees are now almost denuded with a few brownish leaves hanging on. In something like six days, all of that beauty left, but I'll remember the lesson for the future. I used the f8 aperture on that picture, perhaps f11 or f16 would have been better, and I did crop it so the center of focus us is on the extreme right, and it's not all that sharp. There's still plenty of fall color, so I'll have to try the changes on a new scene.
Thank you for your great comment! I appreciate it!
Oct 11, 2017 14:47:43 #
Dan5000 wrote:
Hi Cathy.
Both pictures work well, but for different reasons. The window is clearly the subject in the second photo. The first photo highlights the bright color of the trees, making them the subject.
Dan
Both pictures work well, but for different reasons. The window is clearly the subject in the second photo. The first photo highlights the bright color of the trees, making them the subject.
Dan
You're right, Dan! I appreciate your feedback, very much!
Oct 11, 2017 14:48:42 #
merrytexan wrote:
the beautiful yellow fall leaves is what caught my attentionon shot no. 1!
Yep! I'm learning the error of my ways, Merry! They certainly are!
Oct 11, 2017 22:20:06 #
More time, more time. I need more time so that I can be practicing as you have been doing. The Velvet is a wonderful lens but I have not utilized it for landscapes. I like what you did with both of these. The eye is drawn to the entire line of trees for sure. Good job.
Oct 12, 2017 16:22:17 #
CSand wrote:
More time, more time. I need more time so that I can be practicing as you have been doing. The Velvet is a wonderful lens but I have not utilized it for landscapes. I like what you did with both of these. The eye is drawn to the entire line of trees for sure. Good job.
Thank you, Sandy for the wonderful comment!
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