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.

One more beauty showcasing rule of thirds

Again, we have a beautiful example of the "rule of thirds".  This photographer could have put the apple smack dab in the middle of the image.  But he didn't.... he chose to create balance and interest by moving off center, and giving us all that wonderful texture of the plastic baggies... nicely done!  This one should go into the week in review, right?!  Sweet dreams to you all... Mrs. G

Winner of the Woodworking Challenge

Why did this image win the fiercely contested woodworking challenge?  This photo uses the rule of thirds beautifully... the hands are off center, creating a dynamic image.  FURTHERMORE, we have nice use of aperture:  the hands, the most important part of the image, are in focus.  The other stuff is just out of focus enough to reduce distraction but still give us important information.  BRAVO PASH Pro Photographer!!!!

Welcome!

Welcome to the inaugural Photography Club BLOG!  Oh yeah, this is where we put it all together!

We're off to a great start.  Here's what we've covered so far.... 

1. The "hole"...also known as "aperture."  So basic, yet so complex.... the hole is either small or large (or medium, but that's boring so we're ignoring that for now).  So, big hole means little focus.  NOW send me your "big hole" pictures please, so I can post the best one!  We'll continue working on "big hole" (Will, that's f/5.6, Patrick that's f/2.8, and Jack that's f/2.8) next week, but we'll also shoot little hole to look at the difference.
2. "The Decisive Moment" - Patrick, I need that skateboarding shot.  Henri Cartier Bresson coined the phrase, which basically means that there is one ideal moment to snap a picture.  That's one of the most important jobs of a photographer... to choose the "decisive moment" to release the shutter.  So gentlemen, do NOT send me ALL of your images.  Choose the "decisive moment" and send that one over.  The rest of those images... DELETE!
3. Today we talked about composition, and one principle in particular.  The winner of the "rule of thirds" competitive photo safari IS......

Alright, I'll be posting more images, especially as you send them to me... so send 'em over.   The treat menu for next week is.... HA!  You'll just have to wait and see!  Good night to you all... Mrs. G