framing a shot

[RicJoe]

Unfortunatly I am at work so cannot upload a shot of what I am trying to pull off, so here goes a written picture you could say.

There is a field next to my work, it has these hugh power lines going down the center of it (space in between is used as a soccor field). The parking lot for this field has these wooden poles about 10/15 inch diameter, there are these hugh metal eye rings screwed in and a chain looped to it. If I look through the eye I can see the towers, I want to take a shot where I use the metal eye as a frame and you can see the metal power tower through it. Now I want to keep the who;e thing in focus, as blurry it just loks awful. I am using my kit lens (18/55) as the only other lens I have right now is my 75/300.

Is what I am trying to do possible?

Camera: Canon Rebel XSi

If not making sense I will upload a hand sot of what I am trying to do.

 

[LightSpeed]

Put the camera on a tripod, compose your shot, set the aperture to a high number for a wide depth of field. Like 18-20. That should do it , if I understand you correctly.

 

[RicJoe]

Here is an idea of what I am trying to do, but with a rusted metal eye and a power tower.

(removing image, seen in last post I was in this is a no no as it is not mine)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3273787211_3fa6af5788.jpg

 

[myfotoguy]

I agree with LightSpeed. Another option if you can't get everything in focus, try on focused on the ring, the other on the towers beyond, then merge the images in photoshop.

If you want to get it all in one shot, use a DOF calculator to determine where to focus in between the two points. A DOF calculator will help you determine where to focus so that objects in front of that point, and beyond that point are in focus.
Online Depth of Field Calculator

Once you figure out where that point is (if there is even something to focus on at that point) focus on it, then switch to manual focus after you locked focus on that point. recompose your shot, being careful not to change your focal length then snap the picture. A tripod would be best.

 

[Robin Usagani]

You need to have your AF on ONE SHOT and only use 1 focus point. Use the focus point through the hole. If you dont have a focus point in that region, you need to focus and recompose (press the shutter button halfway). This is why ONE SHOT is important or your camera will try to refocus when you recompose. Good luck!

 

[o hey tyler]

You need to have your AF on ONE SHOT and only use 1 focus point. Use the focus point through the hole. If you dont have a focus point in that region, you need to focus and recompose (press the shutter button halfway). This is why ONE SHOT is important or your camera will try to refocus when you recompose. Good luck!

Unless you use back button focus!

 

[Robin Usagani]

one of these days i will try it tyler

 

[RicJoe]

I went out and tried again but it just always looked off, so I used the flash to fill some light into it. It came out much better as I was able to detail on the rusted steel ring. I even had three towers in the ring and I felt they were easy to see what they are. All the advice helped alot. One thing I noticed after I ran back in is the top of the ring was cut off, I never used to notice this but you all runied my naiveness

Just came in from another try, was cursing as my sun was gone, curse daylight savings. I had something better, a nice pinkish hue coming from the clouds, took some with and without flash. Excited to get home and put them on the monitor.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Oh.. i thought you were having problem with focusing, not exposure of the subject on the foreground. Yes, flash would help if you meter the background.

 

[RicJoe]

Oh.. i thought you were having problem with focusing, not exposure of the subject on the foreground. Yes, flash would help if you meter the background.

I was the first time around, went back using all your advice then was having issues with lighting . Third time it got to dark but took the shot because of the gorgeous sky.

I am going to put them up tonight when I get home, I think they look cool on the camera but want c&c as I amm sure there are a few things I might have dome wrong! This has been an ongoig process since 9:30am, I run out on breaks and my lunch!

(kinda hijacking my own thread!)