Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Color

by Rick Diffley on April 6, 2013

Coupville Red Building

When to Use F/8 to F/11

Does it really matter what aperture one uses? Yes and No (-: Let me explain.

Blurred Backgrounds

For blurred background you control the depth of field by using wide apertures, let’s say anything below f/5 (Depending on the lens you own.). Shallow depth of field is a wonderful way for making great pictures by drawing attention or isolating a specific aspect of the image you are shooting. To increase the effect it helps to maximize zoom (Try 150mm to 200mm) and move closer to your subject.

Landscapes

The opposite is true if you want to increase the depth of field. Landscape situations where you have different focus ranges to consider you would use high f-stops in the range of f/16 or f/22. This helps keep objects in both the foreground and background in focus.

Use f/8 – f/11 for Sharpness & Best Contrast

Today, I’m focusing on the area between the blurred background effect (F/3.5 for example.) and the all-inclusive landscape shot (F/16 or greater.). When depth of field isn’t a concern you could use any f/stop you wanted, but to get the best contrast and sharpness, use an aperture between f/8 to f/11.

All of the following colorful images were shot using my Nikon D300 in manual mode, with f/stops of f/9 or f/11. Notice that depth of field wasn’t an issue.

Modern Art Old Car Rusty Paint fender

Situations to use f/8 – f/11: Shooting full frame fall leaves on the ground. Taking a portrait of a friend against a solid wall or like the image below, a single flower against a solid background (Textured effect added in post processing.). In these situations try using f/8 to f/11 when everything in the camera frame is at the same focus distance.

Purple tulip textured background

Your Assignment

Go out and find situations where the depth of field is not a concern and start using an aperture between f/8 – f/11. Of course, you need to either adjust your camera to shoot in “A” (Aperture mode) or
“M” manual mode.

Thank you for visiting my website.

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Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Future Tense

by Rick Diffley on March 23, 2013

Palm Fan ME

Making a Single Image Using Multiple Exposure Feature

This week’s photo challenge “Future Tense” quickly brought future thoughts and images of flowers appearing and getting outdoors to begin shooting Macro photography. Yes, Spring in on the calendar, but we are weeks away in Spokane before flowers begin to bloom.

One fun shooting technique I’ve used before, but have not written about, is using the “multiple exposure” feature.

The above image of a Palm Fan was taken with my Nikon D300, Tamron 90 mm macro lens (SS: 1/60… F/stop: 5.3… ISO: 400) using the “multiple exposure” feature found in the shooting menu. Below is the original image.

Palm fan

How is it done?

The multiple exposure feature is available on a number of camera models. Here are the steps to get to this feature on a Nikon and many Canon models.

<> Go to the your “Menu” button on the back of your camera.

<> Locate the “Shooting Menu.” Scroll until you see “Multiple exposure” and select it.

Shooting Menu 01

<> A new menu will appear called ”Multiple exposure” with the following choices: Done > Number of shots > Auto gain (Nikon). On the Canon, select Average (Canon).

Menu 02

<> For the “Number of shots“ select 9 and for the Nikon ”Auto gain” select “On.” For the Canon choose ”Average.” Next, scroll up to “Done” and select “Ok.”

Pink Campagne clematis

The Shooting Technique

Above is the original image of a Campagne Clematis I shot last year using a Tamron 90mm macro lens, ISO: 400… SS: 1/60…  f/stop: 38.

Here’s the shooting technique for getting nine single images smashed together using “Multiple Exposure.”

ME 2

<> When you are ready rotate your camera slowly counter-clockwise while holding down and not releasing the shutter button.

<> The camera will automatically click off nine individual shots for you and produce a single image at the end.

<> This technique will take a few practice sessions to get the look you are after. Fields of flowers will work and anything where you have colorful patterns.

Note: Click: B&H Photo which has a list of cameras that have the multiple exposure feature.

Thank you for stopping by and reading this blog article on using the “Multiple Exposure” feature on your camera.

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Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Lost in Details

by Rick Diffley on March 3, 2013

Pink Gerber Daisy Water Drops

Bring out the Details

I’ve always been intrigued by the detail seen with macro photography images. Often, these are details that most people do not see or pay attention to in their day-to-day lives. As a Macro Photographer, I become more of an artist, a creator, than when I shoot landscape photography.
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Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Home

by Rick Diffley on February 11, 2013

 

Top Flite Golf Ball Bird Home Top Flite Golf Ball
Bird Home

Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Home

This last weekend I was out bicycling on my Specialized Roubaix road bike thinking about this week’s Word Press Photo Challenge: “Home.”

With every photo challenge I really like to pursue and photograph something different, unusual, or unexpected.  To my surprise and delight, I came across a series of unique hand built bird homes on the side of the road.
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Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique

by Rick Diffley on February 3, 2013

Marbles BLog

Unique: Oil + Water = Artistic images

The Set Up

1) Clear glass pie dish or clear baking dish.
2) Cooking oil
3) Water
4) Multi colored photo, fabic, wallpaper, etc.
5) Two – four drinking cups
6) Spoon or knife
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