Hey Paw... Look what I lernded in school today!

[ChristopherCoy]

I didn't know where exactly to put this post, but I've been reading "Understanding Exposure" this week, and I decided to put the aperture thing to the test. You know smaller apertures (f22)=sharp background, large apertures (f5.6)=blurred backgrounds. I always knew what I liked, and how I wanted it to look, I just never payed attention to how I got there. Before I would just shoot/adjust/shoot/adjust/shoot/adjust and never payed attention to what I was doing. Now I am, and WHADDAYA KNOW... it works!

F4.5 - 1/500sec= blurred background (aka, "creatively correct")



f22 - 1/25sec = sharp(er) background



F4.5 - 1/1000sec = blurred background (aka, "creatively correct")



F29 - 1/25sec = sharp(er) background

[MRCPix]

dude the last two are the same picture

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by MRCPix

dude the last two are the same picture

I fixed it...

[The Philos]

Also the shutter speed of the first image is 1/500 not 1/125. Knowing how to use the proper aperture/shutter/lens/iso combination is crucial - as is understanding basic composition.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by ThePhilosopher

Also the shutter speed of the first image is 1/500 not 1/125. Knowing how to use the proper aperture/shutter/lens/iso combination is crucial - as is understanding basic composition.

So its is. Must have been looking at the wrong picture when I wrote down the EXIF information. I've corrected it.

I wasn't trying to compose these, so much as I was trying to see the difference in the subject and the background.

[BEphoto]

Just saw that you ditched the oly. How's the Nikon treating you?

psst...you should have went canon.

[bondarnes]

One little nit pick with your wording "creatively correct". There are many times when a deep depth of field will be "creatively correct" It all depends on the scene being portrayed. But you did do a great job on Photo 101 "basic exposure for proper depth of field".

[carrbowl]

good lesson Chris...it is amazing how people don't know and don't understand this concept. Glad you have learned it!!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by BEphoto

Just saw that you ditched the oly. How's the Nikon treating you?

My 35mm was a Canon, but I didn't have any lenses to persuade me into the line. I bought Nikon so that I would be able to share equipment with my SIL during shoots.

That being said I am LOVING it!!!

ChristopherCoy added 1 Minutes and 2 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by bondarnes

One little nit pick with your wording "creatively correct".

Yes, I understand that there are times when the great DOF will be needed. "Creatively correct" is just the term that Bryan Peterson uses during the first chapter of his book.

ChristopherCoy added 1 Minutes and 47 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by carrbowl

good lesson Chris...it is amazing how people don't know and don't understand this concept. Glad you have learned it!!

Yup! Its one thing to do it and get lucky, its another to actually understand it and be able to predict what the end result will be.

[CaptainTom]

I'm no Nikon person, but I think if you look in your owners manual for Depth of field preview button, or aperture preview button, you'll find out how to see your DOF before you click the shutter.

[dminton]

f64 and be there.......... for a pretty long time

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I'm no Nikon person, but I think if you look in your owners manual for Depth of field preview button, or aperture preview button, you'll find out how to see your DOF before you click the shutter.

Yup! Learned what that button was the other day. I just dont ever thing about it. With digital, its easier just to shoot the picture and use the delete button if necessary.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Yup! Learned what that button was the other day. I just dont ever thing about it. With digital, its easier just to shoot the picture and use the delete button if necessary.

i empathize with your enthusiasm. i was the same when i learned how to control DOF!!! and i still am when i learn to control something cool.

one suggestion about the quote above:

when learning and experimenting, this is fine. but you'll find in the long run, it is better to get the shot how you want it the first time. experiment and use the delete button, but once you understand how your lens and camera work together, practice taking the picture you want the first time. this may take a little more time to setup (including using the DOF preview), but in the end will save you time. and as you practice and get better, it will speed up. plus, if you are going to be shooting with your SIL, the more you have your eye in the view finder, the more you will be able to capture moments, and less time you will be looking at your last picture (and the less she will have to delete later). my 2 cents. nice pics though...

ps, is that basil in the first 2 pics? if it's yours and you are planning on using it, i would pinch off the tops.

[ChristopherCoy]

Yes it is basil, and its basically become a decorative plant now. LOL

[island bound]

experiment and use the delete button,

Sorry to jump in, but I just had to comment about deleting pics that you did not like. I ran across this the other day, but I did not write down the source (sorry about that)

Just as hard drives need maintenance in the form of defrag and disc check, there are several things you can do to ensure good "healthy" memory cards as well. Here are a few simple steps you can began taking right away.

Don't delete as you shoot. With the large capacity cards on the market these days it's unnecessary to delete images as you take them. When you delete an image on the memory card you create a gap in the filing structure. This gap can cause problems once the card is full by truncating or fragmenting the last few files. Instead, wait until you have all of your images on the computer to delete the ones you don't want. You'll miss less shots shooting this way as well.

Don't completely fill your memory card. This goes along with the last tip. Always leave at least 10 shots free on your memory card. This will leave enough space on the card to keep any files from getting fragmented or lost once the card is full.

Lastly, format your card in the camera after every shoot. ONLY FORMAT AFTER YOU'VE BACKED UP YOUR FILES ON A HARD DRIVE OR DISC. Formatting not only erases all of the data on your card, but it also resets the filing structure so your camera can most efficiently write information to it. This tip is especially important if you use a Mac as they write system and volume folders on your memory card every time you hook it up to the computer. These files can interfere with the camera so it's always a good idea to format your card before the next shoot. The format command can be found in your cameras menu under setup, but don't do it unless you know your images are safe on another media. This method of deleting cannot always be undone!

Taking these precautions along with regularly backing up you files will ensure worry free digital shooting for the life of your card and the many years of your successful business!