May 18, 2010

Depth of Field

Back when I was in college I took a black and white photography class.  We were taught all aspects of photography as well as how to develop our rolls of film and print our photographs on these huge photo enlargers.  I can still smell the chemicals and hear the shutter clicking shut when the exposure was complete.

I loved that class!  It was a great creative outlet for my young self.

There was only one thing I didn't like about the class.  The professor.  He was constantly harping on me for cropping the shot through my camera lens and taking too many shots with a shallow depth of field.

He wanted us to practice shooting an entire scene and then coming back into the dark room and cropping the shot we wanted. 

My brain didn't work that way.  How I saw the shot in my camera was how I pictured printing it out.  Plus, I liked a close crop on the subject with a shallow depth of field and since I was paying for the supplies I was going to shot the way I liked.  So there!

Shots that included the entire scene always felt to distracting to me.  They still do.   I do take shots of entire scenes when necessary, but a shallow depth of field will always be my default setting.

Check out a few shallow depth of field shot I took this week.

Giggles galore erupted when my flat footed lovely flipped up her cavebaby foot while I was checking my exposure for this shot.

My mom brought these delicious banana bread muffins over on Monday.  For me food should always be shot like it is just about to enter your mouth. 

Kate's first sock monster doll.  Tell me that isn't the cutest 11 year old created sock monster you have ever seen?  Apparently the crafty gene will live on.


The added bonus with this shot is that the shallow depth of field caused the light coming through the trees to create a slight bokeh effect. I love when that happens.

Head over to 7 Clown Circus to see more Wordful Wednesday posts!  On Thursday check out You Capture over at I Should be Folding Laundry  to see more Depth of Field shots.


Photobucket

59 comments:

Jen said...

LOVE this photos, especially the foot. :)

robin said...

Fantastic, as usual. The foot shot is so much fun and I also love the details in the cupcakes! You can actually see the flecks in the frosting! Perfect.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. : )
I was just thinking about what I need to do for that assignment. Feet gross me out a little but that is a very cute picture. Super creative. I love the sound of your class. Fabulous!

Kacey said...

I think that Flinstone foot is fabulous! ;)

Cecily R said...

I love playing with depth of field. You're much better at it than I am. I wish I was more savvy at it when I'm actually doing a photo shoot. Your pictures are FANTASTIC!

sheila said...

WOW! Those are GREAT pics! Nice post! I might tinker with my own depth tomorrow!

Buckeroomama said...

Love your shots!

I could never get my head around "depth of field"... like you, I tend to shoot the way I'd like my photos to come out. :)

alicia said...

Love that foot shot. Happy WW! Drop by and link up!
alicia

Unknown said...

That foot and girls shot is just TOO good! :D

And yes, that sock monster rocks! She may have an Etsy store in her future.

And thanks for reminding me of the Y.C. topic for tomorrow! ;-P

More Than Words said...

I love the foot pic!!! Very creative! I love how it looks 3-D. I also favor those kinds of shots too!!

Genny said...

Michelle! Your header is just gorgeous, and so colorful. And these photos are seriously amazing. I want to learn to photograph like you. Every time I look at your photos, I feel like I learn something; thank you! Love that cute foot shot. :)

Genny said...

Michelle! Your header is just gorgeous, and so colorful. And these photos are seriously amazing. I want to learn to photograph like you. Every time I look at your photos, I feel like I learn something; thank you! Love that cute foot shot. :)

Erin said...

Oh I love the foot pic, what a great shot!
And the cupcake looks so yummy!

Unknown said...

Those pictures are awesome. The foot one should win a prize!!!
...here:
"I hereby announce the Foot Picture gets the Prize today"
Sincerely,
Me

Susie said...

The photos are fantastic!!

Jingle said...

Okay, so that meerkat photo is making me immensely happy right now! These are fantastic! I LOVE, ADORE, AM INSPIRED BY that amazing sock monster!!!! SO love!!!!!! Lots!

Run DMT said...

Yep, screw that professor! Those are some awesome shots! WTG, mama!

Thanks for stopping by for WW! :-)

EG CameraGirl said...

I often prefer short depth of field shots because I also don't like the distraction of backgrounds. I think it's a matter of taste and NOT a right or wrong thing.

Lucky YOU to have actually taken a photography class! (even if you did disagree with the professor)

Sam_I_am said...

you take amazing pictures! Love em! I love your new header too!

Pam said...

You do such a great job with your photos. I am so jealous. Mine always turn out too dark or too light, etc.

girlytwins said...

I just love the foot photo :)

I wish I was more crafty when it came to taking photos. I would really love a good camera...maybe I need to start dropping hints to the hubby :)

Liz Mays said...

You just get better and better and better!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

I am right there with you. Those are my favorite!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Clearly, your professor had no idea what what he was talking about! I love those shots..and the foot one is awesome.

Marice said...

cool and great photos esp that with a foot :)

Mamarazzi said...

oh how i love the pic of the dirty little foot...and i big super love the sock monster, seriously adorable!

The Blonde Duck said...

I love that cupcake shot!

Muthering Heights said...

These are great shots!! I love the doll your daughter made...I think my kids would too! :)

Colette S said...

You take great photos. As a professor, I'd think he'd understand that each eye see things very differently and encourage different viewpoints.

Erin said...

LOVE the foot shoot. And also the cupcake, mmm.

Bec said...

That sock monster is just too precious! I had a similar experience with my photography teacher back in high school. She liked pictures with more stuff in it whereas I liked to focus in on a certain object- so I know how you feel! It is so nice not getting graded on my work nowadays!

Carissa(GoodNCrazy) said...

BOKEH!!!!!!!!!! I am all about getting more bokeh in my life. Just saying the word makes me happy!

I LOVE THE foot picture... totally going to stumble it! :)

Unknown said...

Fun shots! I love the one with the foot! :)

susanna said...

The foot pic is my favorite - hands down so to speak.
You had commented on the first one of my photos with my son playing...I wasn't sure if that was a DOF pic b/c the front is blurred. All the other pics I've seen the front is crystal clear. If you have the time 'enlighten' me? I am always open to learn.

Laura said...

the foot shot is just pure fun. :)

Brittney said...

LOVE the foot! Such a fun twist on the "circle of faces"

Unknown said...

I love the first shot (well, I love all of them), but that one is so creative.

Jen said...

I love that first one! Very cool!

Staci Danford said...

Darling pictures.. I love the foot one.. Cute cute cute.. and I wanted to reach through there and eat that muffin.. GREAT....
Staci

tippytoe foxtrot said...

Those muffins look sooooo good.

Unknown said...

All of these shots are lovely and fun! I too love to get the shot in the camera the way I want it. I don't want to crop it either, lol.

CJ said...

Very cool - Love the last one, very cute :)

Elizabeth said...

The foot shot was my favorite until I scrolled down to critter. Loved the light effect.

Unknown said...

That first shot is priceless and yes, I admit that sock moster is the best!

Bunch of Barrons said...

That foot shot is SUPER cute and creative. They are ALL cute, but that one is my fav! Good job!

Stacia said...

That professor clearly didn't know what he was talking about! Love the circle of giggling girls. And those muffins ... I can practically taste the icing!

Jenners said...

Love the foot shot!!! Brilliant!

I don't know what your professor was talking about ... I think your photos are brilliant!

Amanda D said...

Great shots! Like everyone else, I love the foot shot.

I'm with you - the less I have to do to a picture post taking it, the better. I just need to learn a little more about depth of field. Wish I would have played along this week!

Mammatalk said...

Wow! Loved the foot shot. So witty.

Lisa said...

Great shots. I always remember a phrase from a photography book or class I had... Sometimes when you're not following the rules, the greatest pictures come out.

I also like to crop with the camera. :)

Sabrina said...

Nice job! That cave baby statement along with the pic made my afternoon! :)

Stillmary said...

What a wonderful group of photos. You really know what you're doing! I loved every one of them!

Brooke said...

OH MY WORD!!!!!
I love that first one.... AMAZING :D

monstergirlee said...

I LOVE those cupcakes! But all of them are wonderful, such nice captures.
Thanks for stopping by my blog too.

The Blonde Duck said...

I hope you had a great weekend, with or without pimento cheese!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous as always!!

ANd now I am craving cupcakes!!

Amy said...

what fun depth of field photos. love the one with the foot and now i'm craving a cupcake

Honey Mommy said...

The foot photo is awesome. I think I send to do just what you do. Take the picture as I intend it to be. I crop a little and edit a little, but not excessively!

Susan said...

I love the giggly girls and the foot shot!

The sock monster doll is adorable as well. Great captures!

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