Shadow DOF

[tecboy]

I have been taking photographs with people wearing costumes. Is it possible to achieve shadowier dof while closer to the subject? What kind of lenses should I get?

 

[KmH]

:scratch: Shadow DoF?

Assuming the lens aperture is not changed, the closer you get to your subject the shallower DoF becomes.

The shallowest DoF is attained by using a close point of focus and a wide lens aperture.
Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

Macro photographers get closer than just about any other kind of photographers and the extremely shallow DoF they have to deal with is so shallow they often have to do focus stacking cost process.

 

[Joves]

:scratch: Shadow DoF?

Assuming the lens aperture is not changed, the closer you get to your subject the shallower DoF becomes.

The shallowest DoF is attained by using a close point of focus and a wide lens aperture.
Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

Macro photographers get closer than just about any other kind of photographers and the extremely shallow DoF they have to deal with is so shallow they often have to do focus stacking cost process.

Yeah I was thinking that myself. Like you wanted varying degrees of shadowing being in or out of focus. He has guided you to the right place.

 

[tecboy]

Oh, I wasn't clear. Sorry, I'm saying when I have the subject inside the frame, I couldn't get the background out of focus. I have to stand farther away from the subject and zoom in close to the subject to get blurry background. Is there a lens that has a wider aperture so I can stand closer to the subject and get a blurry background.

 

[DarkShadow]

Sure a 2.8 aperture will isolate your subject better if you have $$$. Try moving your subject further away from back ground objects. Focus tends to drop off gradually from the precise distance of focus and the noticeably defocus depends on subject and viewing conditions.

This is not the same as want your doing but just as a example, I took this shot belly down on the lawn but in the background was dead foliage of branches we trimmed that was around twenty feet away and got as close focus as I could and was able to isolate the junk in the back ground using a f6.3


IMG_0009 by DarkShadow191145, on Flickr

 

[tecboy]

Is f2.8 is a big or little difference in dof with f3.5?

 

[bratkinson]

Is f2.8 is a big or little difference in dof with f3.5?

It depends on what lens you are using (focal length), what camera (sensor), and the distance from the subject.

Play with the DOF calculator below and see the changes for yourself using your equipment.
Online Depth of Field Calculator

 

[Braineack]

Oh, I wasn't clear. Sorry, I'm saying when I have the subject inside the frame, I couldn't get the background out of focus. I have to stand farther away from the subject and zoom in close to the subject to get blurry background. Is there a lens that has a wider aperture so I can stand closer to the subject and get a blurry background.

You weren't clear because you used the wrong sausage.

 

[tecboy]

Oh, I wasn't clear. Sorry, I'm saying when I have the subject inside the frame, I couldn't get the background out of focus. I have to stand farther away from the subject and zoom in close to the subject to get blurry background. Is there a lens that has a wider aperture so I can stand closer to the subject and get a blurry background.

You weren't clear because you used the wrong sausage.

No idea what are you talking about. Maybe you should stay out of this thread!

 

[Braineack]

No idea what are you talking about.

Exactly my point.

Now if I had said: You weren't clear because you used the wrong word...


shallow =/= shadow

 

[tecboy]

No idea what are you talking about.

Exactly my point.

Now if I had said: You weren't clear because you used the wrong word...


shallow =/= shadow

People use wrong words all the times. Did I tell you to stay out of it?

 

[tecboy]

No idea what are you talking about.

Exactly my point.

Now if I had said: You weren't clear because you used the wrong word...


shallow =/= shadow

My apology. I wasn't in the good mood this morning.:blushing:

 

[Braineack]

it's okay, i rarely am too!

 

[Joves]

Is f2.8 is a big or little difference in dof with f3.5?

No not really. Using the DoF calculators that people have linked to will help you a lot. If you are using a 105 f/2 lens, at f/2 close up you will have a very shallow depth in focus. When you move further back the depth increases, as the distance increases. The calculator will tell you what a lens set to an aperture at a certain distance will do depth wise. I do not use one myself because, well I have been shooting for over 40 years, and just know what I will get in my head already. I think that is about the only good thing about getting old.