Working with depth of field (aperture)

These images are from our esteemed photographer J. and his new digital camera.  Click image to see it larger.

These branches are nicely silhouetted against the late autumn sun.  Nice consideration of light.

 Here we see aperture used to bring the flowers into focus, letting the background "fall off" or fall out of focus.

 

Bokeh is the term used to describe those soft blobs in the background.   Great detail in this mushroom.

 Nice capture of mother and child under the tree.  I agree with J that the picture would have been "boring" without them.  Thanks for submissions, J!  P & W, I look forward to getting your pictures too!!


This week (tomorrow) we are going to be adding SHUTTER SPEED to our quiver of tools.  You've mastered aperture, both small and large.  Now its time to move onto speed.

Parents, don't forget.  We're planning to have an "opening" after the Winter Concert, just before Christmas Break.  We'll be printing and presenting about 4 to 6 images per student.  Each entry will be carefully chosen after a lengthy :-) critique.  The artist will be able to discuss each piece, why it was taken, which tools were used to make it, etc...  VERY exciting stuff!!!

Eliot Porter inspired Landscape Work

Well the boys and I continue to explore aperture.  We looked at some work by Eliot Porter, and then went out into the field to try to reproduce some of his gorgeous landscapes.

We noticed that Mr. Porter uses very small apertures, so that everything is in focus.  This type of "stopped down" shooting is favored by other landscape photographers like Ansel Adams.

Here are the favorites by two of our artists.  Our third artist is coming today with his *new* camera!!  Hooray!

Landscape Series Winner!

A beautiful fall portrait of the Princeton Academy grounds.