I did the assignment anyway :)

[Elizabeth30]

elizabeth30, You might also consider using the self timer when you have the camera on a tripod.... or get a inexpensive cable release for it. (I wouldn't worry about mirror lockup right now.. you don't need it for these shots.).. but don't touch the camera or the tripod untill after the shot is over.

Yes, I hadn't thought about the timer thing, I'll try that tomorrow. Mirror lock up? I have not heard this term before? to lock up the handle where the tripod moves side to side??

 

[Proteus617]

elizabeth30, You might also consider using the self timer when you have the camera on a tripod.... or get a inexpensive cable release for it. (I wouldn't worry about mirror lockup right now.. you don't need it for these shots.).. but don't touch the camera or the tripod untill after the shot is over.

Oh gips you didn't give up on her after all. I just finished reading her other thread. Elizabeth you get quite the comments. Your still trying to help

Elizabeth sounds like you have a cheap tripod. Mleek I think your onto something. I agree I think the lens isn't working correctly.

If you are shooting wide open in natural light, you most likely have a very fast shutter speed. A cheap tripod will transmit the vibration you created when you push the shutter button. If you don't have a cable release, use the self timer. Trust me. I spent years with a cheap tripod listening to my camera go beep beep beep. I would not jump to conclusions concerning the lens. Besides, the Great Weegee said F8 and be there. Not F1.8 and be there.

 

[Proteus617]

Yes, I hadn't thought about the timer thing, I'll try that tomorrow. Mirror lock up? I have not heard this term before? to lock up the handle where the tripod moves side to side??

When you push the shutter button, your mirror snaps out of the light path. This produces a certain amount of vibration. Locking up the mirror before you trip the shutter allows time for the vibrations to dampen. You start to worry about MLU after you have a solid tripod, good technique, and you can notice the difference.

 

[cgipson1]

elizabeth30, You might also consider using the self timer when you have the camera on a tripod.... or get a inexpensive cable release for it. (I wouldn't worry about mirror lockup right now.. you don't need it for these shots.).. but don't touch the camera or the tripod untill after the shot is over.

Oh gips you didn't give up on her after all. I just finished reading her other thread. Elizabeth you get quite the comments. Your still trying to help

Elizabeth sounds like you have a cheap tripod. Mleek I think your onto something. I agree I think the lens isn't working correctly.

I don't give up easy..... although it was close! Really bugged me when she just "disregarded" the Traveler so flippantly.... lots of good knowledge there!

 

[GnipGnop]

I honestly think what she is trying to learn over the Internet could be taught to her within minutes in person.

Elizabeth, have you ever thought about taking classes? I think it might be more appropriate for your learning style.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

I honestly think what she is trying to learn over the Internet could be taught to her within minutes in person.

Elizabeth, have you ever thought about taking classes? I think it might be more appropriate for your learning style.

I def agree with that!! Do a community Ed class if you don't want to spend big $$ on an actual accredited class. I'm gonna take the Photoshop class from our local colleges. I do a music class to which is really a "volunteer symphony" well worth the $20 I have to spend. I would think with your dyslexia that even this Internet forum is probably a bit hard too.

Look into the classes I think they could do wonders for you. You have an eye but that's it right now.

 

[o hey tyler]

Next time, you may want to MANUALLY focus your camera in LIVE VIEW mode so that you can insure that the subject is in focus. You should leave the lens on manual focus for the duration of the test, so that a half press of the shutter doesn't re-focus the photo.

That way, you will have far more consistent tests.

 

[KmH]

'Learning styles' is a canard.

 

[kundalini]

If you want to conduct conclusive testing, then you have to keep varriables under your control using useful objectives. I didn't read all the responses because it got slightly off topic (be well Emily) and some of the responses were misinformation and some were out and out BS. If I read correctly, your goal was to test DoF combined with achieving proper focus.

When using a tripod (manditory for this purpose), shutter speed and ISO are inconsequential. Using MUP (mirror lock up) along with a remote shutter release are best practices, but the self timer is the next best option.

To determine DoF effects of the various apertures, you'll want a minimum of three staggered objects. This way you get to witness the expanding DoF as you stop down your lens.
I suggest to switch to Manual shooting mode because you will have complete control over the exposure triangle elements.... Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO and only the variable you choose will change.

Once you set up your scene for the test, I also suggest to turn off AF after you achieved focus. As far as setting up the scene, measure everything from the plane of your sensor. There is a white dot on the left side of your camera body that indicates where it is.

So here is my little rendition of how I would (and have) tested the field results of changing aperture to gain insight of how DoF works.
Nikon D300 with 50mm lens
Manual Shooting Mode - ISO 200 - WB Cloudy -
Tripod weighted down (70-200mm f/2.8 in case hung on tripod)
Remote shutter release and MUP employed.
Full 2 stop difference between shots.
Spot Metering and all shots metered to Zero.
Focus on the word Countreau 32" from sensor plane. Cointreau to nose of giraffe = 6" forward, Cointreau to nose of Winston = 6" rearward.

f/1.8, 1/2500s

f/3.5, 1/1000s

f/7.1, 1/200s

f/14, 1/50s

The sun was going in and out of the clouds, so exposure varied slightly.

I have to jump on a conference call, so I'll do 100% later..... if I remember.

 

[punch]

'Learning styles' is a canard.

WTF are you talking about? Now you're an education expert as well? Try to be abrupt and judgmental about things you actually know.

 

[unpopular]

just watch Gevin

Gevin forgot about ND filters :er:

 

[Ballistics]

'Learning styles' is a canard.

Howard Gardner strongly disagrees, as well do I.

 

[GnipGnop]

'Learning styles' is a canard.

Says who? You? Do you have a background in pedagogy? Have you ever taught a class and actually researched effective teaching methods?

There are many different learning styles, and many different ways to adapt them. People also exhibit strengths and weaknesses in various learning styles based on what they are learning. Some people are kinesthetic and learn best through movement and activity. Some people are perfectly find at reading instructions and producing results. Some people need to see someone do it first in order to learn properly and so on.

You can go even further and apply proximal learning techniques that include things like the environment, personal space, noise level and even aesthetics.

A canard. :lmao::lmao:

 

[Ron Evers]

Off topic guys!

 

[SCraig]

Off topic guys!

Hell, that hasn't stopped them before. Why start now?