2020 Photo Challenge #24

June’s theme / technique: Being Creative with DOF

The six visual keys to a great photograph are:

    • Patterns
    • Texture
    • Lines
    • Colour
    • Depth of field
    • Space
  • OK so first of all what is Depth of Field?

A basic definition of depth of field is: the zone of acceptable sharpness within a photo that will appear in focus. In every picture there is a certain area of your image in front of, and behind the subject that will appear in focus.

Using a shallow depth of field is a good way to make your subject stand out from its background and is great for portrait photography and wildlife photography when you don’t want the background to distract from your subject.

If you are a person who likes to photograph landscapes you would want everything from near to far to be in focus. This is known as a deep depth of field.

Please read the first assignment in this month’s topic for slightly more technical information and how to control the depth of field.

This week's assignment - We are looking at the shallow depth of field again this week to get close up to your subject. Use either a macro lens OR the macro setting on your camera to get in as close as you can and still retain a sharp focus

Tips:

    • Use a Macro lens if you have one. Remember that this has a very shallow depth of field, the sharpness is often focused on a minute part of the subject with the rest out of focus (blurred). With this very narrow focus it becomes important to use a tripod, because even the slightest movement of the camera will move your macro subject outside your depth of field.
    • Use the macro setting on your camera if you have one. Take the same shot using a normal setting and one with the Macro option. Compare the two photographs. Is there a difference in your photos?
    •  Choosing a large aperture (lower f-stop, like f2.8) creates very shallow depth of field with only the subject, or just a portion of the subject, in focus.

I have been interested in macro photography for a number of years, but never owned a camera that could really get that close in and still be focused. Until I decided to upgrade to an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera to which I could add various lenses (see My Camera Equipment for more information). I couldn’t afford the EM1 so setttled for the EM10. After getting used to the camera and the kit lenses I bought my first macro lens in 2015. It was a steep learning curve to handle the lens, not helped by problems with the camera’s shutter.

My focus is on plants and insects as when you have a true macro 1:1 photo you see so much more than you do with the naked eye. I am not an expert. There are far better macro photographers out there and far better examples, but here are a few of mine taken over the last 5 years. You do need to click on these images to enlarge them to get the full detail.

Flowers and Plants

My focus here is on the stamens of this Japanese Anemone. It was only when viewing this on the computer I noticed those very tiny flies
A recent image, not as sharp as I would like because it was windy. But I was aiming for the hairy casing of this poppy bud
The head of a Protea reveals the stamens that rise up like creatures from under the sea and also the tiny furry hairs

Insects

I don’t normally focus on flies, but this had a nice colour, when blown up you will see the fine black hairs that cover the body.
This hoverfly was accidentally captured when I was focusing on the stamens of this flower. I love how you can see how it actually holds the stamens to extract nectar from the flower. And the tiny fly on the left which can only be seen by enlarging this image.
Another Hoverfly, (Migrant Hoverfly – Eupeodes corollae) this time in more detail though the area of focus is small – body and diaphanous wings
One of my favourite butterfly shots – Mr Grumpy possibly a Ringlet – with a wonderful hairy face that only a mother could love.
White-tailed Bumblebee on a Nettle – the focus is on the bee’s legs where if you look closely you will see the claws at the end which are used to cling onto a plant.

I hope you can see how fascinating Macro photography can be. If you’d like to see more then I have more than 100 Macros on my flower blog although not all were taken with the macro lens. Sometimes using a zoom lens is more useful especially in windy weather or where you can’t get close enough, but you won’t get that true 1:1 magnification.

If you would like to join in with the 2020 photo challenge then please take a look at my 2020 Photo Challenge page. No complicated rules, just a camera required 🙂

    • Create your own post with some information about how you composed the shot.
    • Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
    • Add the tag #2020PhotoChallenge so everyone can find your entry easily in the WP Reader
    • Get your post(s) in by the end of the month, as the new theme comes out on the first Sunday in July.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

70 thoughts on “2020 Photo Challenge #24”

  1. These are lovely, fascinating. I can see there may be problems for me again this week. On Automatic, my camera automatically converts to Macro when it sees me getting in close. The ‘normal’ shot will be the same as the ‘macro’ shot. So I may not be able to get the two shots you’re asking for. But I’ll do some close-and-personal shots anyway.

    1. You don’t have to do both shots, I haven’t shown any here. That suggestion was more for people who don’t use the macro setting.

        2. ‘ One misty-moisty morning
          when cloudy was the weather
          there I met an old man
          clothed all in leather…’ I was taught this as a child … and it stuck.

  2. The detail on these macro photos is just amazing jude. I can see how it would become addictive to get in close and personal, especially on the insects. I have a macro setting on the camera and do occasionally use it, with varying results. But I should use a tripod with the wind always turning up as soon as I walk outside to take close ups and my not to steady grip it is hard to get that sharpness that you have in these shots. But I will be back

    1. Thank Jo. Still some big black clouds down here. We were watching A Place in the Sun yesterday and they were looking around Alvor. Do you know that area! I was quite tempted 😏

      1. Alvor itself is tourist tacky now, Jude, but it’s easy level walking out on the boardwalk. Wouldn’t be my choice but I’m sure there are bargains to be had out that way. 🤔💕 Just home from the hills and a lovely meal out on what might be the last cool enough to walk weekend of the year.

        1. Nice and warm here again today although black clouds all morning. I took a risk to mow the lawn and 4 hours later I am sitting outside with mucky fingers and an aching back 😂

      1. I still haven’t done last week’s, but I will….just had too much boring stuff to sort out

        3. Well, the sun came out for a moment but it’s gone again….aah, well as long as I get a bit of light I’ll be on the case later….

  6. I love macro photography too but when I walk with my camera, I usually just have the telephoto lens so any close shots are with my phone. Your shots are reminding me to take my macro lens, although these days I’m shooting lots of birds which need telephoto.

    janet

    1. I have to be in a dedicated mood to put the macro lens on, it can take decent portraits too at a push.

  8. I love all these, Jude, especially the head of a Protea, and all the insects. I don’t have a macro lens and my Canon takes terrible macro shots, but I’ll give it a try. How I miss my old Olympus.

    1. Did you sell the Olympus? Or was it broken? I must admit I do like this camera even if I don’t use half the settings (more like 90%) 🙄

      1. I still have it, but it’s broken. I once sent it back to be fixed, but it didn’t come back fixed. I really hate my Canon, and would love to get another Olympus. Maybe someday. For now, my phone camera is fine.

  10. My absolute favourite is the poppy! I love seeing their hairy pods, especially when the poppy has just burst forth and the discarded covers are lying on the ground.

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