My son, narrow DOF

[smoke665]

@jcdeboever Ok I know there are differences in the DOF, Field of View, and Bokeh, in the MF, but I think I need to do a little reading so I understand more of what your trying to accomplish. Or, hopefully some of the more in the know crowd will comment, then we both might learn something LOL

 

[jcdeboever]

@jcdeboever Ok I know there are differences in the DOF, Field of View, and Bokeh, in the MF, but I think I need to do a little reading so I understand more of what your trying to accomplish. Or, hopefully some of the more in the know crowd will comment, then we both might learn something LOL

Me too my brother. I am just exploring my hardware and what @Derrel has taught me and little I have practised. Here is an example of where I want to get to but not end up at.

Portrait of Stacy

 

[smoke665]

Here is an example of where I want to get to but not end up at.

Ok I'm following you again I think the thing throwing me is the OOF area extending almost up to the bottom of the nose. Had that OOF started at the line of the chin (or below) as in your example that would have improved the image tremendously. Moving the hand around as Loonatic suggested could then be used to give a sense of depth to the image.

One other thing, I tend to be a detail oriented realist, both in my artwork and photographs, so I may be a little skewed on my opinions, but I lean more toward soft lines on the female form as opposed to a male with hard defined features, count the hairs in their beard detail. At my age, I doubt that will change so take what I say with a grain of salt. You on the other hand always seem to be willing to step outside the comfort zone. You've reached a point where you never miss the target, just get some closer than others to the bulls eye. I'm confident you'll readjust and fire again.

 

[KmH]

DoF is narrow when looked at from the side, or perpendicular to the lens.
Looking along the long axis of a lens, like when looking at a photo, the DoF is shallow.

 

[jake337]

I am so struggling to produce an image that is of quality. I love people and want to portrait them as such. 0I am borderline ready to give up because I haven't the skill.

Of quality compared to what? Give up? Stop with the self loathing already.

Don't create to compare to others.

Create for yourself.

 

[Derrel]

You nailed the eyes. Jake's got a point about the self-deprecation...you're better than you say you are. You can shoot.

 

[Gary A.]

JC, you cannot duplicate what a camera with tilts and swings can do with a camera that does not have tilts and swings. Personally, I would have liked to see everything in focus. The hand, for my tastes, is too prominent to be relegated as an unimportant element. For me a bit more detail in the arm and hand and viola ... a classic portrait. I understand being hard on yourself. Self critiquing is how we get better. But you're trying to duplicate a Vermeer with a six inch paint brush.

If this was a painting, would the hand been soft?

I'm not saying for you not to be different ... but sometimes it is absolutely fine to be timeless rather than trying to blaze a path with the wrong equipment.

 

[jcdeboever]

Very handsome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's single

 

[limr30 3]

The only thing that bugs me is the chin. I like the thin DOF and the composition. I don't care if the hand is in focus or not, because the purpose is clearly to look at his eyes.

 

[tirediron]

I like the image, and I like the composition; I don't mind the OOF hand, but I would consider burning it in a bit to reduce it's attention-grabbing ability. I'm not as fussed though on the OOF chin however. This is a strictly personal thing, and there's no right or wrong.

 

[Derrel]

You had a plan and went with it. It succeeded at some level. You nailed the eyes. Yes, the chin is OOF. It's a "look" that many people like, that lensy look, that shallow DOF look. While it's not a great shot, it's also not an awful shot either, but somewhere in between I guess. It has some good qualities to it.

 

[annamaria]

Very handsome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's single

Is he really? [emoji6]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[vintagesnaps]

That's really nice. Captures the personality and done in B&W gives it an atmosphere or mood, whatever you want to call it. Nice.

I don't usually care for something close to the camera being out of focus unless it's framing the subject or somehow it works for the photo. So I'd like it better with less shallow depth of field, but it's not necessarily a deal breaker so to speak. I like John's idea of making it a little less noticeable, that's probably why I don't particularly care for OOF being done in the foreground, closer to the viewer.

But you're learning and experimenting, which is good. And you haven't been at this all that long, I've been a photographer for yeeears... keep at it. This is pretty darn good.

 

[jcdeboever]

Very handsome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He's single

Is he really? [emoji6]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ill send him your way

 

[jcdeboever]

OK, here is the one I wasn't playing around trying to be all artsy fartsy. He always wheres the same types of shirts, I told him not to wear them. Some kind of nylon sweat wicking kmart crap. Of course he wore one. I asked him why, and he said that's all he has... he bought 6 of them, different colors. On sale for $5.99 each.... Oh I had him looking at a crisp, new, $100 bill (birthday gift I gave him later), standing up on a stool. He knows how to focus on money....