Lessons learned 7 by jcv2
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Description
It's essential to focus on the object you want to shoot (unless you're going to make an artistic impression). When pictures are blurred they become (almost) useless. I see it happening here on RR, postings that are blurred get usually only few viewings and little or no comments.
This chamois was standing so perfectly, so I took my brand new 300 mm telelens and shot it. But... I forgot to focus (nope, I've never had auto-focus!), thinking infinity would be the most appropriate setting! The more zoom, the more shallow the DOF will be, so I had better adapted the focus or the aperture (for a less shallow DOF) but I applied neither of them. A few seconds later it was gone and well, unsharp mask makes it a little bit less worse but it will never be a crisp picture anymore!
Lesson 7 - Take care you focus on the right object (autofocus makes it easy but you'll have always to be aware whether the object is focused or not), and better a little bit less zoom and a sharp picture that can be used to zoom in digitally afterwards (cropping etc.) than finding out that it is big and blurred.
Thanks for your attention and your always valuable comments
Minolta X-700 (Agfa CT 100, 300 mm and cropped)
Comments (17)
sharky_
I know exactly what you mean. That one shot I wanted turned out to be all blurred. No lucky chance to capture that bird again for me. In this image here, its very high and dangerous. I think I would be out of focus. Scared of Heights...lol Excellent lesson. Thank you for sharing. Aloha
oscilis
Useful information. How does one ensure sharp macros? Mine are just luck. Sometimes clear, sometimes blurry. I have a digital camera which has autofocus.
tallpindo
You are almost ready to make model tableaus. Some of the finest shots in the mind are those where you had no camera. Really only someone deeply indebted to handicappers would understand. The chamois did yield to your will and appeared. He tempted your camera but never really fulfilled it. The next encounter will be even more noxious.
deannemart
So true - our camera only has an autofocus, and frequently doesn't focus on the correct image! Many photos have been deleted as a result :)
WonderfulCreation
Nice moment nonetheless!
Zacko
That is so true. Focus focus focus. And the first thing i always do when i get my hands on a new camera is to disable the digital zoom. Quite a useless feature on any cam that is. Have a wonderful summer my friend #:O)
Akinom
Well said! Your series is really interesting, Jan-Carel! Yes, Andreas is right... I never use digital zoom either! It's useless, me thinks, too! Thanks for keeping up the lessons!
Enmos
Good point, autofocus is bliss ;o)
cynlee
yep, that does help :]
marybelgium
very interesting and great serie !
Cosme..D..Churruca
Superb explanation... and the location is extraordinary !
Punaguy
Ah yes, the crappy blurred image that we worked so hard to capture! I have many deleted images in a huge pile because of this rookie mistake. So many things to think about in an instant, but we all live and learn from out mistakes...thanks for this important lesson...Aloha~
iaacf
The story you've told us here is very true. I also have to learn hard lessons with my new camera. I also have an urge to zoom to much and it is never going to work unless I use a tripod.
sossy
ok teacher! right, with auto focus it is easy and you will not forget to focus, but if there are more than one objects I always be careless and focus the wrong object! LOL hey, this shot is blurred but you see it sharp in your memory and so it is beautiful and exceptional! ;o)))
bleachfix
I fought for the longest time not to get auto focus for this very reason. Yet with the purchase of my digital camera it comes equiped with auto focus. Luckily I reviewed the spec sheet to see that it has manual over-ride, or can be focused in different areas of the viewing screen...Yes, I have learned from the mistakes from others, perhaps this lesson will help others along this lesson of focus! []/;^)
bkhook
Would you quit standing on the edge.. I love your pictures but you give me the heebie jeebies looking over the edge. ~kidding~ well.. not about the heebie jeebies but about you quitting.. don't or we won't get to see such fantastic shots anymore. :=)
Digimon
I have lost shots to that variable :( Yet! This image still holds much granduer! The scale alone, of that tiny goat, on the massive mountain! Wonderful!