Abstract Photos C&C

Shawnda · Feb 4, 2011

I am not quite for sure if this would be considered abstract or not, but thought it was a good subject to put this under.

One of the things I have been working on is my manual focus technique. I have been taking a lot of photos in manual mode to allow me to learn more about how my picture taking actually is. Therefore, I took these photos while trying to focus on something in particular.

The first two of these photos, my intent was to focus on the ball in the middle. I don't think I did that great, but thought I would get some feedback on some technique for this particular method, when you have objects in a row and you're wanting to focus in one the middle object. I included photos in both colour and black and white. I like the B&W better!

This photo here, well let's just say it's cold outside. I live in Dallas and I'm getting bombarded with ice and snow. They predicted anywhere between 1-3 inches of snow, we got 6 inches. They lied, those bastards. Anyways - I tracked myself outside before the sun really got up and going and snapped some photos.

This is of the fire hydrant on the corner of my street. My focal point in this photo is the chain.

Let me know whatcha think!

fsquare · Feb 4, 2011

I like the balls picture but in color. Not really feeling the other. To get focus on the middle ball you could just focus on it then recompose.

Shawnda · Feb 4, 2011

Noone else, maybe abstract isn't the word for it but more along the lines of shapes for the subject... but 44 views and only one comment??? Hmph ...

Ron Evers · Feb 4, 2011

In the ball pic you have a large DOF & it is difficult to see where the point of focus falls. For this type of experiment try using a large aperture (small f#) so the point of focus is more easily seen.

Here is an example of using a large aperture.

Shawnda · Feb 4, 2011

@Ron

I had played with the aperature a little bit during the photo being taken. However; I was having a hard time achieving what it was that I was looking for because of the space between the balls. With the photo that you are showing, the objects are closer to each other. Which makes it look like it is easier to obtain the affect of what you captured in that photo.

sanderso · Feb 4, 2011

Agree w Ron's comment. IMO the cool thing about Ron's photo is his effective use of DOF makes clear the message/subject. It REALLY draws my attention. I didn't get my attention drawn in the same way w the balls or the hydrant. Not enough DOF differentiation. The subject of the focus didn't jump.

My $0.02.

thingsIsee · Feb 4, 2011

A telephoto lens (200mm) from a distant vantage point zoomed in will get you closer to Ron’s effect.

Shawnda · Feb 5, 2011

sanderso said:
Agree w Ron's comment. IMO the cool thing about Ron's photo is his effective use of DOF makes clear the message/subject. It REALLY draws my attention. I didn't get my attention drawn in the same way w the balls or the hydrant. Not enough DOF differentiation. The subject of the focus didn't jump.

My $0.02.

Alright, now I'm going to ask a silly question. What is DOF?

thingsIsee said:
A telephoto lens (200mm) from a distant vantage point zoomed in will get you closer to Rons effect.

I do believe I had my telephoto lens on, but I don't know where I could have gotten a better distant vantage point from though. I'll have to try it again next time I go to Deep Ellum in Dallas.

misstwinklytoes · Feb 5, 2011

I don't know, cause I don't FULLY understand yet, but I think part of the reason you had getting a small DOF is because of your distance to the subject. I don't know what your F# was, but I know that your distance to the subject matters.

Sorry about all that white stuff. We got nothin' here near beaumont.

sanderso · Feb 5, 2011

DOF = Depth Of Field

KmH · Feb 5, 2011

And DOF is controlled by 4 factors:

lens aperture
lens focal length
subject to image sensor distance
subject to background distance

Shawnda · Feb 5, 2011

KmH said:
And DOF is controlled by 4 factors:

lens aperture

lens focal length

subject to image sensor distance

subject to background distance

Thanks for the information. I will definitely be working on this a tad bit more for sure.

I appreciate the feedback.

@misstwinklytoes

No need to be sorry. I have been couped up in the house for the last few days. Actually ventured out a little bit yesterday, but not much. Today, however, we are venturing out to hopefully grab some nice photos and then to see Sanctum.