Would any of these been obvious deep DOF shots, and/or would any of them be worth more than a 4.6? Thanks for any comments or guidance you can provide.
The first one looks like one entered from a different vantage point? I like the colors and reflection in the second, but I don't see a really obvious "subject of focus". I am on slow dial-up, so have to wait for the others . . . . .
Lauriel
I have one criticism of these shots. The light you are using. Midday light really flattens landscapes.
To especially show off dof, sidelighting (dawn/dusk) would be wow!
I was driving on my way home from nights and the sun was comming up, big and bright. I passed a farmers field full of those round bales of hay. They all had these long shadows, the trees were sculpted..it was stunning.The field contours were strengthened.
Sigh.......I didn't have my camera at the time. Been raining here ever since.
You've got a great eye. I like the bales.
Hope the criticsm helps and not hurts.
Randy.
Lauriel
I have one criticism of these shots. The light you are using. Midday light really flattens landscapes.
To especially show off dof, sidelighting (dawn/dusk) would be wow!
I was driving on my way home from nights and the sun was comming up, big and bright. I passed a farmers field full of those round bales of hay. They all had these long shadows, the trees were sculpted..it was stunning.The field contours were strengthened.
Sigh.......I didn't have my camera at the time. Been raining here ever since.
You've got a great eye. I like the bales.
Hope the criticsm helps and not hurts.
Randy.
Lighting is EVERYTHING to my eye; I just am never there at the right time! I can't wait until summer is over!!!!
a) Number 1 is the closest one to demonstrate deep DoF. That because the close bale is in focus and the background areas are also in focus. However, it does have a problem in that the close bales merges with the tractor (farm equipment).
b) The other 3, while pleasing shots, do not have anything really close to the camera that show the close foreground really crisp. They are all sharp throughout, but the subjects are on the same general plane of focus, optically speaking.
But who am I to say, my wide angle stopped full down to f22 on a tripod with an exposure of 1/2 sec, is struggling around 5.4ish.
Believe me, it helps...I just wish this dang Texas weather would cooperate for a challenge or two in a row! We have had rain EVERY day since June 1, at least part of each day anyway. I have to take the light when I can get it! :o) All of these were on an outing to try to find deep DOF between thunderstorms. The grey sky really does nothing for them. I think it was about 6 pm when I was out taking the pics of the creek and cows, and the hay was about 4:30 (earlier the same day).
Don't you hate missing those "didn't have a camera" moments??? That drives me absolutely bonkers! Now I keep my old camera in the car most of the time, just in case. Just in case IT STOPS RAINING someday! :o)
Thanks for your comments!
edit:
Also, thanks to Tom and Kylie...I appreciate your comments as well! :o)
Laurie, just find a creative way to use the grey Texas sky to your advantage... I'm thinking I should have entered this one instead of my current one...
Laurie, just find a creative way to use the grey Texas sky to your advantage... I'm thinking I should have entered this one instead of my current one...
I don't know what your current one is - but it's hard to believe it could be any better than this one. I love this magical look. Remind me after the challenge (if you don't mind) to look at the one you submitted.
All of the photos seems fairly "flat" to me -- it is probably as everyone says -- harsh mid-day lighting. Don't let the rain discourage you though. I stood out in the rain and sometimes snow to get this picture at 7:00 AM or so -- while I was supposedly on vacation. (The print is currently under review, but will be availble soon.) Oh, and not only did I get rained and snowed on, I lost my favorite hat over the cliff. I was using it to shield my camera and the wind caught it and... it was gone.
Danny, Harvey, Randy, David, Tom, and Kylie - Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. I'm still learning, thanks to nice folks like you! Now, I shall depart to go do a "non-rain" dance... LOL :o)
PS - Danny, that is an AWESOME picture. If your entry is half of what that is, it deserves a blue. :o)
