Introduction - Focus with a set aperture

For this exercise the idea is to take a set of photos at the same aperture, using manual focus to focus on different parts of the scene.
 The scene chosen for this should have some depth to allow the different focus points.  My recent visit to Blaise Castle meant that I was able use the balustrades within the wall system to undertake this exercise.  What I found was that I was concentrating so much on the focus issue and the aperture I did not look at the actual objects.....and did not see how defaced and dirty the balustrades were until I returned home and uploaded the photos to the computer.

See set of three photos below:

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.60 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.00
Focal Length:  42.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm



Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.60 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.00
Focal Length:  42.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm



Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.60 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.00
Focal Length:  42.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm


So not satisfied with the results I intended to go back and re-do the photo shoot; ensuring that I take into account all aspects of the shoot and not just the single objective of the exercise. Unfortunately several days later and do to inclement weather I have been unable to do so. An alternative was called for.

Of these three I prefer the the first because the position in the photo is where my eye is drawn; the second and third mean I have to look through the first.  Whilst this is the case for this set of photos, I do believe that in some instances the focus should be further back and you should be able to look through an unfocused are.

Take Two!

Exif Data

Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.80 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.6
Focal Length:  55.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  1.30 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.6
Focal Length:  55.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  1.30 sec
F-Stop:  f/5.6
Focal Length:  55.00mm
Lens:  Canon 18-55mm





Of these three photos I again prefer the first.  This may be because of the angle I placed the pears at.  The placement was mainly due to the restraints of space and light.  Out of the second and third one's I like the third photo better, and I find it difficult to say why.....

Again I am not happy with the overall outcome of these photos....the lighting is not great and perhaps the angle could be improved upon.  I am unsure if the storks being left on the pears add to the appearance of if they are distracting.  I think the storks work in the first shot but not so well in the second and third.

Take Three.....

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  1.30 sec
F-Stop:  f/2.80
Focal Length:  60.00mm
Lens:  Canon Macro EF-S 60mm

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.50 sec
F-Stop:  f/2.80
Focal Length:  60.00mm
Lens:  Canon Macro EF-S 60mm

Exif Data
Camera:  Canon EOS 7d
ISO Rating:  100
Shutter Speed:  0.50 sec
F-Stop:  f/2.80
Focal Length:  60.00mm
Lens:  Canon Macro EF-S 60mm





Again, I think the angle of the items predisposes me to like the first photo of the set.  Also as the previous sets I am not happy with the overall photos. The lighting gives hot spots on the top of each strawberry and I need to work on this.  Again as per my previous post I need to work on the overall photo and not on the actual object I am focusing on.  In this case there are some strawberry fir bits on the surface which distract the viewer.