DEfine Shallow DOF - DPChallenge Forums

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/25/2005 09:31:00 PM · #51

Originally posted by MPRPRO:

BTW to add to this, A blind man could get a shallow DOF photograph with a macro lens and autofocus.

Mike

I agree.

You know, my entry is a unique subject; it took about 60 shots to get it right without the million-dollar lenses most have on this site; and it meets challenge to a "T" in every way. I am sitting at a 4.7 now with one comment. SOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo, ON to Usernames is right! LOL. I am excited about that one, and plan to be here for the rollover.

Rose

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

12/25/2005 09:33:44 PM · #52

I noticed this in a challenge not too long ago that could have made a decent entry in 'Shallow DOF' and is not a macro shot...

...perhaps a little short in foreground to really set it off for this specific challenge.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

12/25/2005 09:35:49 PM · #53

I'd say that's a bit of a stretch, and an unwarranted shot at those that worked hard to get a decent macro 'Shallow DOF' entered in this challenge.

Originally posted by MPRPRO:

BTW to add to this, A blind man could get a shallow DOF photograph with a macro lens and autofocus.

Mike

12/25/2005 10:09:32 PM · #54

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I'd say that's a bit of a stretch, and an unwarranted shot at those that worked hard to get a decent macro 'Shallow DOF' entered in this challenge.

Originally posted by MPRPRO:
BTW to add to this, A blind man could get a shallow DOF photograph with a macro lens and autofocus.

Mike

Barry I wasn't talking about you. It was a lighthearted sarcastic comment to blow off some steam at the boring macro shots I have to wade through to find those pictures you are talking about. The truth is often spoken in jest and I guess I hit on a truth. Don't worry I am over it already. Hope you and everyone on DPC had a wonderful Christmas.

Mike

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/25/2005 10:22:25 PM · #55

I really don't think anyone needs to take offense. It's just one challenge, and there are many more to come. It is just that to some, including myself, a macro is a macro and a shallow dof is a shallow dof. Now, I studied about 5 different websites all in which discussed the subject at length for which I read it. Most photos entered in the challenge did not corrolate, but that MAY BE just me and how I read the sites I went to.

Evidently there are MANY interpretations of shallow dof. In back focus, in front focus, inbetween focus, macros, small objects, large objects, artistic bokeh, etc. So the scores are really bouncing as to "meeting challenge" as I am SURE everyone counts that whether they are supposed to or not. What I personally think it is coming down to is personal preference in subject matter used and the "creativity" of the photo. And that is what will show the ribbons.

On to another challenge now. One that is very much more specific and pretty darn argument free (well, maybe... LOL...) "Username". The only argument there seems to be about whether the username is well known or just listed, which I personally think is irrelevant, and I hope the votes don't reflect that. BUT, I for one am not shocked by what I see in the voting anymore.

Rose

12/25/2005 10:35:13 PM · #56

Originally posted by Rose8699:

Evidently there are MANY interpretations of shallow dof. In back focus, in front focus, inbetween focus, macros, small objects, large objects, artistic bokeh, etc.

I do not understand the problem here, Shallow DOF is just that, it is all the things that Rose mentioned and probably more. It is not as specific as a "Macro" but is more opened to the artist to decide what he wants to photograph be it a macro with Shallow DOF or something else. The point here is that the DOF be shallow...

Why all the confusion?

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/25/2005 10:41:10 PM · #57

Originally posted by shaver:

Originally posted by Rose8699:

Evidently there are MANY interpretations of shallow dof. In back focus, in front focus, inbetween focus, macros, small objects, large objects, artistic bokeh, etc.

I do not understand the problem here, Shallow DOF is just that, it is all the things that Rose mentioned and probably more. It is not as specific as a "Macro" but is more opened to the artist to decide what he wants to photograph be it a macro with Shallow DOF or something else. The point here is that the DOF be shallow...

Why all the confusion?

Well, not to rehash and rehash over this, but if it is 'all of those things', then that pretty much leaves the challenge up for free study in close ups of any kind. There are also macro challenges and bokeh challenges, and that is why I sifted through several websites for research. There are specifics for shallow dof, even if they are borderline to all of the above, and I think that is where some lost the focus (pun intended), in my opinion. So basically, in your own explination, the voting is just as open as shallow dof is; therefore, personal preference is really how one is voting more than anything else for the most part. This is fine with me. I just wish the challenge would move on. Now that I see how many types of shallow dof there are, I kind of wish I just entered phobias. LOL...

Rose

12/25/2005 10:48:46 PM · #58

Agreed :)

LOL

That is cool "free study in close ups of any kind" But it does not have to be a close up either it just mean that the subject stands out by the use of Shallow DOF.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/25/2005 10:51:36 PM · #59

Originally posted by shaver:

Agreed :)

LOL

That is cool "free study in close ups of any kind" But it does not have to be a close up either it just mean that the subject stands out by the use of Shallow DOF.

I think those photos with subjects further away or larger subjects are getting voted down from what I am reading. Could be wrong. One never knows in this challenge. I just went back myself and did some score lifting, so who knows. LOL...

You know, you have a good name for the Username Challenge. LOL...I wonder if anyone will use it? I will have to watch for that!

Rose

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/25/2005 10:53:48 PM · #60

Thanks Rose. I was wondering is someone would notice that... I was going to ask if we could use our own names :) LOL

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/25/2005 10:57:13 PM · #61

You know, I was just re-reading the challenge description to reinforce my memory that it had said we should use shallow DOF to isolate our subject from its sorroundings, and I was looking closely at the wording, and I think (are you ready for this?) that you can make a case for the exact OPPOSITE: stay with me here...

Shallow depth of field is often used to isolate a subject from its surrounding environment or to make it stand out. Find a creative use of a shallow depth of field for this week's challenge.

Note that the description begins by saying that DOF is "often used" to... It then tells us WHAT to do: "find a creative use of shallow DOF..."

Now, if something is "often" done, it's not very "creative", right? So if we take this literally, we should be frowning at entries that use shallow DOF to "isolate the subject" and applauding entries that use shallow DOF in some other way...

How's THAT for throwing a spanner in the works? jejejeâ�¢

Robt.

banmorn

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/25/2005 10:57:35 PM · #62

Originally posted by shaver:

Thanks Rose. I was wondering is someone would notice that... I was going to ask if we could use our own names :) LOL

"Something different this time... Choose another DPC user, and take a photo that represents their username! Don't forget to title your entry with your chosen username, and be creative."

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/25/2005 11:00:18 PM · #63

Originally posted by shaver:

Thanks Rose. I was wondering is someone would notice that... I was going to ask if we could use our own names :) LOL

Challenge description says "Choose another DPC user, and take a photo that represents their username!"

So, the answer is "No"... Of course, just like with the 4-5 AM challenge, we voters have no way of knowing if this part of the challenge has been honored until after the results are posted. I'll be real curious to see how many people disregarded this and did their own username. Lawd knows, I wanted to do mine...

R.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/25/2005 11:01:59 PM · #64

Originally posted by banmorn:

Originally posted by shaver:
Thanks Rose. I was wondering is someone would notice that... I was going to ask if we could use our own names :) LOL

"Something different this time... Choose another DPC user, and take a photo that represents their username! Don't forget to title your entry with your chosen username, and be creative."

How would you know until after the voting was done? You do not see the name of the person on the entry until afterwards. By the way I saw that... :) LOL

Dirtypainter

Canon EOS-40D

12/25/2005 11:02:16 PM · #65

Originally posted by bear_music:

oh gawd no there goes my entry now

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

12/25/2005 11:26:27 PM · #66

Mike - No problem. I didn't take it as a personal affront. The sarcasm did go over my head...missed it. I have this tendency to stick up for groups that are lumped together with some remark that appears to put them all down collectively. For example - someone could say "all flower shots are boring" - well, whether I have a flower shot in that challenge or not I would take offense as I think making a comment like that is not fair play to all participants.

Call me old-fashioned. I still open doors for others, say 'Please' and 'Thank You'. ;^)

Originally posted by MPRPRO:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
I'd say that's a bit of a stretch, and an unwarranted shot at those that worked hard to get a decent macro 'Shallow DOF' entered in this challenge.

Originally posted by MPRPRO:
BTW to add to this, A blind man could get a shallow DOF photograph with a macro lens and autofocus.

Mike

Barry I wasn't talking about you. It was a lighthearted sarcastic comment to blow off some steam at the boring macro shots I have to wade through to find those pictures you are talking about. The truth is often spoken in jest and I guess I hit on a truth. Don't worry I am over it already. Hope you and everyone on DPC had a wonderful Christmas.

Mike

12/25/2005 11:35:52 PM · #67

Originally posted by bear_music:

Oh no I just choked on my Diet Peach Snapple.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/25/2005 11:39:58 PM · #68

Originally posted by Dirtypainter:

Originally posted by bear_music:
You know, I was just re-reading the challenge description to reinforce my memory that it had said we should use shallow DOF to isolate our subject from its sorroundings, and I was looking closely at the wording, and I think (are you ready for this?) that you can make a case for the exact OPPOSITE: stay with me here...

Shallow depth of field is often used to isolate a subject from its surrounding environment or to make it stand out. Find a creative use of a shallow depth of field for this week's challenge.

Note that the description begins by saying that DOF is "often used" to... It then tells us WHAT to do: "find a creative use of shallow DOF..."

Now, if something is "often" done, it's not very "creative", right? So if we take this literally, we should be frowning at entries that use shallow DOF to "isolate the subject" and applauding entries that use shallow DOF in some other way...

How's THAT for throwing a spanner in the works? jejejeâ�¢

Robt.

oh gawd no there goes my entry now

Could help mine! LOL....

Rose

12/25/2005 11:40:04 PM · #69

Originally posted by glad2badad:

someone could say "all flower shots are boring" - well, whether I have a flower shot in that challenge or not I would take offense as I think making a comment like that is not fair play to all participants.

They are boring.

Mike

KIDDING!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

12/28/2005 12:23:48 PM · #70

So in the end it wasn't a macro that scored a blue. Thank God. I am ok with how I ended up. Now that the challenge is over I'll post my image here. I ended up 139 out of a gazillion. But here it is:

I hope you all like it. Be sure to note, the man is isolated by the DOF. I could have had a slightly smaller DOF to be shallower. But I didn't you live and learn.

Oh and one commenter mentioned how tight the crop was, I didn't crop it, I wanted the man to be the shot and not the rest, I ment to do that. LOL.

Mike

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

12/28/2005 02:21:10 PM · #71

Originally posted by MPRPRO:

So in the end it wasn't a macro that scored a blue. Thank God. I am ok with how I ended up. Now that the challenge is over I'll post my image here. I ended up 139 out of a gazillion. But here it is:

I hope you all like it. Be sure to note, the man is isolated by the DOF. I could have had a slightly smaller DOF to be shallower. But I didn't you live and learn.

Oh and one commenter mentioned how tight the crop was, I didn't crop it, I wanted the man to be the shot and not the rest, I ment to do that. LOL.

Mike

Just my opinion, but in your photo, your subject hasn't been isolated *enough*. The benches in the foreground are still too sharp and in-focus and distracting. They actually lead me *off* your subject, and it's the first thing I notice, and I keep looking at them saying, "It would have been cool to see these more OOF". The background, also, is still just too *there*.. if you know what I mean.