Insight to Depth of Field

[AlphaZeroOne]

You know, I have to say that the folk on the WAB site are almost beyond belief. The generosity and willingness to share information here is really fantastic. Thank you so much.

I guess that I am at conscious incompetence stage and I just want to be able to move as quickly as possible to the unconscious competence stage where I can use the camera in the manual mode and select the shutter and f stop instinctively depending on prevailing conditions with a clear idea of the desired outcome. Those outcomes, in general terms, are crisp macro photos of insects and wildflowers and something approaching the stunningly detailed photgraphs of birds that can be seen on this site.

Thanks again for all your patience and helpful advice.

[Little Richardjohn]

Originally Posted by AlphaZeroOne

You know, I have to say that the folk on the WAB site are almost beyond belief. The generosity and willingness to share information here is really fantastic. Thank you so much.

I guess that I am at conscious incompetence stage and I just want to be able to move as quickly as possible to the unconscious competence stage where I can use the camera in the manual mode and select the shutter and f stop instinctively depending on prevailing conditions with a clear idea of the desired outcome. Those outcomes, in general terms, are crisp macro photos of insects and wildflowers and something approaching the stunningly detailed photgraphs of birds that can be seen on this site.

Thanks again for all your patience and helpful advice.

The main thing to remember about DOF is that it is a useful tool.
A portrait in which the face is in focus and the background blurred will always emphasize the sitter, and create a specific mood. Having everything in focus can destroy an otherwise beautiful image - and the other way around.

Your macro shots will probably show this.

Do you have a Flickr account or similar?

[AlphaZeroOne]

Originally Posted by Little Richardjohn

The main thing to remember about DOF is that it is a useful tool.
A portrait in which the face is in focus and the background blurred will always emphasize the sitter, and create a specific mood. Having everything in focus can destroy an otherwise beautiful image - and the other way around.

Your macro shots will probably show this.

Do you have a Flickr account or similar?

I have no idea what a Flickr account is? I use a 90mm macro for portrait photos and so can appreciate your point about the DoF with the sitter in focus etc.