Monday, February 04, 2008
A Bicycle Wheel
Comments:
Not the usual flower pot holder, but the composition with the wheel neatly inside the photography works especially well with the square format. By chance is there a slight focus or sharpness issue with the top of the wheel and the bracket where it is attached to the tree?
Photographically, I go along with Doug: particularly the alignment of the wheel to the trunk and branch, which is why the drift in focus at the top is slightly disconcerting.
As subject matter, it is charming: both the 're-cycling and the use of simple, probably mainly free, materials all dedicated to helping the ivy grow. I do love these Japanese walls.
This is in a dark part of town and north facing to boot. I have shot this twice and will go back for a third time. I'm shooting this at around F5.6 and very close so I don't have much DOF to hand. It was surprising how litttle in fact when I saw the first negative. This shot has the focus on the bottom front flower pot'd lip. The first one was focused on the sprockets. Any suggestions as to focus points with limited DOF happily received. I also have plenty of wall pictures to keep you entertained with for years!
I think that in order to be 'acceptable' the DoF/OoF has to be 'obvious', look deliberate, and help or be part of the message.
I noticed two 'in focus' areas, the leaves in the pot and the top right branch. Neither of them stood out as being extra sharp against a really fuzzy everything else. This is probably not helped by the small web size. I was left with the feeling of 'in-betweeness', neither one thing nor t'other, verging on "was this a mistake?".
I don't have anything to add really. It's a delightful sight, but the DOF problems detract a bit. I'm glad to hear you will shoot it again.
Is there a reason you can not use a tripod for a longer exposure and increase the DOF?
When you can't get enough DOF, go for even less. Shoot it at 2.8 and the shallow DOF will look intentional.
It's a nice composition, with interesting light. If the minimal DOF look doesn't work, you might consider returning with a tripod.
Both Matt's and Christina's suggestions are valid.
The composition is worth keeping at it. I'd go for the tripod option and a very small aperture.
On the other hand the softness has a 40's-like charm. Hmm, don't know anymore. It kind of grows on you, doesn't it?
Thanks for the advice. I agree Stephane, each time I look at this it grows on me but it still doesn't look quite 'right'. Will try out a few of the suggestions posted here and post the results if I get any improvement.
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As subject matter, it is charming: both the 're-cycling and the use of simple, probably mainly free, materials all dedicated to helping the ivy grow. I do love these Japanese walls.
I noticed two 'in focus' areas, the leaves in the pot and the top right branch. Neither of them stood out as being extra sharp against a really fuzzy everything else. This is probably not helped by the small web size. I was left with the feeling of 'in-betweeness', neither one thing nor t'other, verging on "was this a mistake?".
Is there a reason you can not use a tripod for a longer exposure and increase the DOF?
It's a nice composition, with interesting light. If the minimal DOF look doesn't work, you might consider returning with a tripod.
The composition is worth keeping at it. I'd go for the tripod option and a very small aperture.
On the other hand the softness has a 40's-like charm. Hmm, don't know anymore. It kind of grows on you, doesn't it?