sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I'm lazy so here's what I would have done.

Take the picture the second time BUT

Focus on the child and when it's done, don't press the button the rest of the way, tell the child to blow the bubbles and THEN press the rest of the way. She's in focus and bubble are within the DOF.

Sarge69

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I'm lazy so here's what I would have done.

Take the picture the second time BUT

Focus on the child and when it's done, don't press the button the rest of the way, tell the child to blow the bubbles and THEN press the rest of the way. She's in focus and bubble are within the DOF.

Sarge69

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Eh Doc ..... to answer your question, when photographing moving subjects TV (shutter) priority would be your best bet.

Theo_cupent42

I think the easiest solution is to change the focus point manually. Unless I'm doing sports, I like to have control of the focal point, so I keep it on manual and adjust it as I go. It'd become second nature, and it works really well.

I personally think the problem in the photo is negligible - its such a beautiful photo, and you really know what you're doing with the composition.

Just my 2¢...

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

Sheenagh, that's a great pic and I'd be well happy with it, like others say, the bubbles are perfect and the little girl is soft with the background out of focus. It works well.
FYI, with your camera and settings ie. Canon 7D, 52mm and f6.3 The DOF at 10 feet is between 8.8ft and 11.5ft [2.5 feet] and at 20 feet it's between 15.8ft and 27.4ft [11.6 feet]
So stand back would give you DOF and bring the girl into sharp focus BUT it would spoil the pic IMHO!

Forest Squirrel Loc: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England

Great photo, if you use Picassa as suggested (this is a free download from Google) right click on your image then scroll down and click on Properties a mass of camera info will then appear

john merry Loc: tincan bay qeensland aus

great photo nice out of focus background great camara all looks good to me

johna800 Loc: Atlanta

DOF or Depth of Field refers to the area of focus behind and infront of the subject your primary focus point is on. DOF is mainly controlled by the F/Stop setting.

The DOF is controlled by the F/Stop.

The bigger your F/Stop number is the larger your DOF becomes.
The smaller your F/Stop equates to the smaller your DOF becomes. Quick reference: F/2.8 ='s small DOF, F/16 and up ='s greater DOF.

Shutter speed (S/S) has very little to do with DOF. However, S/S does affect DOF when you are using very long S/S such as when you are using a "B" Bulb type setting or a very long exposure, say a 2min exposure. Nevertheless, S/S in general does not affect DOF when your exposure is under 1min exposure.

In your picture of the girl with bubbles it is visually evident your DOF is just a bit narrow so as to capture both the bubbles and the young girls face in sharp focus. (Bubbles are sharp, Girl's face is slightly out of sharp focus.)

Not knowing the F/Stop you used for this photo makes it difficult to nail the answer on the head. However, it is safe to say that based on the image, you are only .5 to 1 stops from nailing the area of focus you desire.

Example: If you used, let us say, F/11 to snap the image, then you should increase your DOF by changing your F/Stop from F/11 to F/11 - F/16 or one full stop to F/16. That adjustment should now capture the bubbles and the girl's face in sharp focus.

Keep in mind the following: F/Stops provide adjustment not only between whole numbers printed on the adjustment ring, such as from F/11 to F/16 or from F/11 to F/8.

F/Stops are also functional at all points between noted/printed numbers. An example would be setting your F/Stop manually toF/11-F/16 or F/11-F/8. These settings would represent HALF F/Stop adjustments. Quarter adjustments are also available via F/Stops when setting them manually.

Also, use of a hand-held light meter, not the light meter located in the camera, will assist you in easier nailing of your exposures if you so desire. As for knowing the DOF of any lens at a given F/Stop will be found in the techinical data for the lens being used.

Further, on a related topic, data for each image you create digitally normally is captured in the EXIF data with the image. This information can be seen by using BRIDGE or other available software used to view your image data. You can search the web and download a free copy of this particular type of sofware to your computer. You may want to become familiar with this type of software for future reference and use.

Good Shooting,
JohnA

thehing Loc: Mississauga Ontario Canada

If you are using windows just right click on the photo, click on properties, click on details and scroll down to see all the settings that the camera used for the picture.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Here is a website that you can visit to obtain lots of information. I have the 7D as well, a great camera. Best of luck, and by the way I love the picture you posted, a very cute little girl. Gary http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice image. I like the effect of focusing on the bubbles. With a longer lens, FX camera, and larger aperture, you could have had the bubbles in sharp focus, but the girls' face blurred more. That would have given a nice effect.

I've been playing with SLRs for forty years, so I've absorbed quite a bit of terminology. Be patient, and in about thirty years, it will all begin to make sense. :D

Nic42 Loc: Cardiff, Wales

I agree with Sarge; plus I would suggest keeping the Aperture at 6.3 or lower (5.6). If you use an Aperture smaller than this (F8+) the background will detract from the image. The photo is about the little girl and bubbles, not what is behind her.

RacerDan Loc: Virden Illinois

you must watch NCIS

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

1. No need to apologize for asking questions. No question is "dumb." Always ask questions. Anyone who tries to put you down for asking any question, that person is ignorant.
2. You never said what type; brand and model, camera you're using. Knowing your camera type may preclude you from having to do any post processing (PP) and give you specific responses.

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

1. No need to apologize for asking questions. No question is "dumb." Always ask questions. Anyone who tries to put you down for asking any question, that person is ignorant.
2. You never said what type; brand and model, camera you're using. Knowing your camera type may preclude you from having to do any post processing (PP) and give you specific responses.