My First DSLR shot - Need help

[scott1120]

This was first shot taken with my new D50. I am using the kit lens of 18-55, is it possible to get a better dof than this shot? Any suggestions wlecome. I already saw the blown sky in the top right.

[Paulo]

Hey Scott. Are you asking about having a sharper or more blurred background regarding DOF?
What aperture & ISO speed you shot the above image?

[scott1120]

Originally Posted by pm-image

Hey Scott. Are you asking about having a sharper or more blurred background regarding DOF?
What aperture & ISO speed you shot the above image?

More blurred background. I was shooting Aperature priority at f/3.8. I think ISO was 200.

[Paulo]

When I was first experimenting with DOF, the only lens available to me at the time was a Sigma 28-80mm F3.6-5.5. After setting my aperture to it's widest setting, I found I was able to increase background blur by decreasing the distance of my subject from the camera while increasing the distance of the background from my subject.
In my case, my subject was a series of leaves on the same tree limb that was pointed towards me. I would move the focus point around from the leaf closest to me and then to the next leaf that was further out and could see the background clarity change.

[brad]

Paulo's got it right.. DOF is influenced not just by the aperture setting, but by your distance to the focus subject.. the closer you are, the shallower DOF... so if you can't lower it anymore cause the lens won't open that wide, you have to get closer if you want the shallower DOF.

[scott1120]

Thanks Brad and Paulo - I always seem to forget a step. This shot was taken basically out of the box - I am not use to a dslr, so any other settings I should have changed?

[mobilezen]

Don't forget your ISO setting too...outside, depending on what kind of shot you want, I usually have mine 200 or 400...higher ISO for inside. :)

[xjben]

Probably hard to get too much blur with the kit lens, but you have the idea....lock the aperature as low as possible...and get close to your subject. If you zoom in 100% and get closer, like a head shot you can do it with that lens...but it won't ever be the same as if you use a longer zoom or a faster lens (larger aperature option).

[xjben]

Oh, and I'll add...I know Canon as a cheap 50mm 1.8 lens (that I own), and I'm pretty sure Nikon has something comparable (like in the $100 range, maybe less). Highly recommend picking up one of those...you can get all kinds of crazy shallow depth of field with a 1.8. :-)