The New Intimacy

Understanding Depth of Field [Article]

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Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Controlling depth of field is often the quickest way of making a good photo great, and a great photo truly memorable. This is the first in a two-part series on depth of field, so reading this article on understanding depth of field will prime you to read next weeks article on using depth of field.

As always, past articles and current announcements can be found at the Clubs and Events Blog and discussion on all things photography can be found at the Eden Photographers subforum. If you have any questions about the article or on depth of field in general, feel free to post them in this thread.
04/07/2011
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Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Interesting read. I tried some picture and found the only way to get them was by using the Macro. Is there some way to use this with the regular settings that are on my camera? With those the whole image in the screen is clear.
04/07/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Interesting read. I tried some picture and found the only way to get them was by using the Macro. Is there some way to use this with the regular settings that are on my camera? With those the whole image in the screen is clear.
I'm sorry that I missed your response somehow. The macro setting allows to to get closer to your subject, and the closer you are to your subject the shallower the depth of field at the same settings. I suppose the easiest way to address this is to let me know what camera model you have and I can do some research to tell you how (or whether) it is possible to adjust the aperture to get your desired depth of field.
04/11/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
I'm sorry that I missed your response somehow. The macro setting allows to to get closer to your subject, and the closer you are to your subject the shallower the depth of field at the same settings. I suppose the easiest way to address this is ... more
Olympus Stylus 600, 6.0 Megapixel.

I have to wonder what you have been doing lately.
04/11/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Olympus Stylus 600, 6.0 Megapixel.



I have to wonder what you have been doing lately.
OK, I've read your camera's manual, and there doesn't appear to be any way for you to directly adjust aperture (or shutter speed, for that matter). Your best bet to get shallow depth of field might be to use the "Reducing Blur" function (the shaking hand icon) That should result in a pretty low f-stop. Conversely, if you want a large depth of field, "Landscape" (the mountains icon) might work. Granted, this is just guesswork on my part. BTW, did you know that you have both a macro mode AND a super-macro mode? You press the flower button once for macro and twice for super-macro. You can get 8 inches away from your subject in macro mode, and 3 inches away in super-macro mode.
04/11/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
OK, I've read your camera's manual, and there doesn't appear to be any way for you to directly adjust aperture (or shutter speed, for that matter). Your best bet to get shallow depth of field might be to use the "Reducing Blur" ... more
Thanks Vac.

I did know about the macro, you helped me find it during the club meeting.
04/11/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Thanks Vac.



I did know about the macro, you helped me find it during the club meeting.
I know you were familiar with the macro mode. I wasn't sure whether you knew about the super-macro mode.
04/11/2011