We are being watched…

We are always being watched
its just a matter of who is watching you and are you watching them?
Shot at Helix in Falkirk in front of the Kelpies.

I was standing on a bridge which wobbled every time i tried to get this long exposure image.

Repeating the shot a few times i managed to get a clear 38 second run to it for this one. The reflections were spot on and the sun was illuminating just the right amount. This also picked up my camera in the shadows watching the water.

Being watched or watching at the Kelpies.

We are being watched…

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D.O.F. ~~ W.T.F.?

Photographers can become obsessed by depth of field (DOF)

You have either too much of it and want less or you don’t have enough of it and want more.

The longer the focal length on the lens the shallower the DOF, the wider aperture on the lens the lens the shallower it gets.

As a landscape photographer i am always looking for the deepest i can get. People tell me to get a really good one you need f22 or similar. The thing is i  shoot on f11 and now and then i drop it to f16 but thats not normally for increased DOF but for less light and longer exposure

I can do this as i tend to use a short focal length lens. When i drop on the zoom lens its a whole different ball game with the DOF altering significantly from 70-200mm

Here’s an example of long or deep DOF
Portencross Pier at the end of the dayShot on f11 not f22 or f16 so theoretically the depth should be negligible  but look at the image it has good front to back focus with the front (bottom) literally right below the camera and the back of the pier some distance away. With Arran petering off in the distance.

Here’s a couple of really shallow images, one shot at f2.8 the other at f5.6

Shallow at f5.6 200mm

Really shallow at f2.8

The exact opposite effect is required when shooting food or portraits for that matter. All you need is the barest of detail away from the main focal point. This helps focus the eye on the area you want it to focus on rather than becoming distracted by everything else.

With a shallow dof the focus becomes really difficult to control so its best not to use a larger aperture (f1.2-f2.8-f3.5) unless you are comfortable and able to control it . Its better to use a slightly smaller one as i have above to control the image better. The end result is easier to achieve.

Any questions leave a comment

Kit used

Canon 5dmkii

Canon 17-40mm L f4

Canon 70-200mm f2.8 is ii

 

I trust my images to smug mug

give it a go you will not regret it

D.O.F. ~~ W.T.F.?

Photographers can become obsessed by depth of field (DOF)

You have either too much of it and want less or you don’t have enough of it and want more.

The longer the focal length on the lens the shallower the DOF, the wider aperture on the lens the lens the shallower it gets.

As a landscape photographer i am always looking for the deepest i can get. People tell me to get a really good one you need f22 or similar. The thing is i  shoot on f11 and now and then i drop it to f16 but thats not normally for increased DOF but for less light and longer exposure

I can do this as i tend to use a short focal length lens. When i drop on the zoom lens its a whole different ball game with the DOF altering significantly from 70-200mm

Here’s an example of long or deep DOF
Portencross Pier at the end of the dayShot on f11 not f22 or f16 so theoretically the depth should be negligible  but look at the image it has good front to back focus with the front (bottom) literally right below the camera and the back of the pier some distance away. With Arran petering off in the distance.

Here’s a couple of really shallow images, one shot at f2.8 the other at f5.6

Shallow at f5.6 200mm

Really shallow at f2.8

The exact opposite effect is required when shooting food or portraits for that matter. All you need is the barest of detail away from the main focal point. This helps focus the eye on the area you want it to focus on rather than becoming distracted by everything else.

With a shallow dof the focus becomes really difficult to control so its best not to use a larger aperture (f1.2-f2.8-f3.5) unless you are comfortable and able to control it . Its better to use a slightly smaller one as i have above to control the image better. The end result is easier to achieve.

Any questions leave a comment

Kit used

Canon 5dmkii

Canon 17-40mm L f4

Canon 70-200mm f2.8 is ii

 

I trust my images to smug mug

give it a go you will not regret it

Yum Yum Yum

Not really photography related but i did take some pictures for the post

Recently a local firm offered a wee competition on Facebook
the prizes up for grabs were a couple of porterhouse steaks from their fine selection of locally sourced and produced meat products. Guess who won it?
You guessed it yours truly.

Campbells had been known for years in Scotland as a top quality supplier to hotel and catering businesses but with the dawn of the new millennium they branched out into the online supply direct to the end consumer.

Delivering products worldwide they still butcher the meat using traditional methods with no production lines to reduce the quality of the product..

I can safely say the quality of the sirloin was top notch. Succulent, tasty and melt in the mouth.

The steaks arrived next day after they placed the order for me, securely packed and still freezing cold, in a secured container on a bed of ice.

Well packed and still freezing cold...

Arrived safe and sound

 

Once cooked on the BBQ the steaks were rather nice indeed, with a sprinkle of johnny’s seasoning and some A1 sauce to complement the flavour

I don’t claim to be a food photographer but these steaks cried out to be captured

So yummy and succulent

The steaks cooked to perfection and ready to eat straight off the BBQ

Should you want to order some for yourself i would recommend you go for it.

Currently Campbells are offering free delivery with all orders of £50 or more and the porterhouse steaks are also on special offer from £5.24 for a 7oz steak excluding delivery

http://www.campbellsmeat.com/porterhouse-steak-3 should you want to try them yourself.
They are on Facebook if you want to pop over and like their page

 

 

I use Smug Mug for my images online i recommend you give it a try too your photos really do look better with them.