Which is it? - DPChallenge Forums

12/08/2003 05:39:48 PM · #1

This is my shot from the Soft Focus challenge. Definitely not my best or worst, but I'm curious about the comments. I had two comments that said it was out of focus, and two that indicated that it was soft focused. Just looking for more feedback. I get this result sometimes when I attached the doubler and zoom out to 20X optical. I had the camera braced on the window sill, so it isn't from free handing the shot. The window and screen were up also.

jab119

12/08/2003 06:09:33 PM · #2

to me the pic looks like it has too much digital zoom, that kinda grainy look to it. The colors look good to me..

James

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/08/2003 09:48:48 PM · #3

Thanks for the response. I know what you mean about the digital zoom and graininess. I don't even mess with it anymore. I think it is just a sales gimick.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

12/08/2003 10:19:10 PM · #4

In "soft focus" it seems like the subject(s) don't have a bit of sharpness to them. They seem to have a halo of color that bleeds from it.

Lighting(brightness/contrast) is what really makes a "soft focus" shot work or not.

Your photo does have some details that you can really make out. So it makes you want to see more sharpness or details in it. Thus the "out of focus" statements.

The branch that is located on the right hand side of the bird doesn't help because of the darkness. It distracts from the bird.

Did you use neatimage or sharpen the picture using any software or in camera sharpening?

Message edited by author 2003-12-08 22:34:51.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/08/2003 10:37:43 PM · #5

Check out other thread.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/08/2003 10:46:32 PM · #6

Originally posted by scrum8:

Avoid using doublers,they give optical distortion also AutoFocus target is going of{getting tricked) so instead of the bird the focus is on the tree branch,especially with the cheap 2X doublers (non Olympus ones),i bought one and never use it !

12/09/2003 07:01:55 AM · #7

Did you use neatimage or sharpen the picture using any software or in camera sharpening?

I used the Camedia Master Pro software. I think I just increased the Contrast and Saturation. Just got a copy of PS 7.0 today, but I think I'll need some classes before I can use it effectively. Thanks for the feedback.