Depth of Field Examples

The purpose of this assignment was to post several examples of photographs found on the internet with different depth of field. 

The first three photographs are examples of a very shallow depth of field. The part of the picture that is in focus is only a small area.

These three are shots of a medium depth of field that is measured in feet. 

The depth of field in these pictures is miles. The entire photograph is in focus.

I did not take any of these pictures, and I do not own them or intend any copyright infringement. 

Different Light

I made these shots in my garden at 7:30 AM, 3:15 PM and 5:30 PM. I like the warm light of the setting sun on the middle shot the best. If this was a normal assignment, I would have adjusted the temperature and made it less blue.

Shutter: 1/240 Aperture: f/11.1 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 8.8 mm 

Shutter: 1/180  Aperture: f/3.2  ISO: 100 Focal Length: 7.1 mm

Shutter:1/500  Aperture: f/3.6  ISO: 100  Focal Length: 8.8 mm 

Replace the Sky

These were two different pictures that I took the same day. I took the sky picture at my house and the landscape is a shot of Saddle Mound. The background was darker than it should have been to look realistic so I brightened it, but it still looks a little fake.

Shutter: 1/400  Aperture: f/5.2 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17.1 mm

Shutter: 1/1000 Aperture: f/5.2 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17.1 mm

Composition

Curved Lines

I couldn't decide which version I preferred, so I opted for the easy way out and posted both. The lines are more distinct in the black and white, but I like the blue and yellow in the colored shot. The primary subject is the curved lines, and the secondary subject is the lighting. I think this shot would have been better without the opening on the left. It adds light and color, but it is distracting from the tunnel.

Shutter 1/60 - Aperture f/5.2 - ISO 800 - Focal Length 17.1 mm

Rule of Thirds

This is not a normal sight during the winter, usually the milkweed would be covered with snow and ice. The primary subject is the seeds, the trees are secondary. The detail of the "fluff" on the adds interest to the picture. The shot would have been better at a different angle. The trees in the background, while providing a secondary subject, are distracting.

Shutter 1/170 - Aperture f/12.5 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 11 mm

Leading Lines

Although it isn't the most creative subject, this silo provides an example of leading lines. I like the contrast between the man-made silo and the vines. I also like how the sun hits just the top of the ladder.

Shutter 1/180 - Aperture f/5.2 - ISO 160 - Focal Length 17.1 mm

Horizontal Lines

A snow-covered driveway. It is such an ordinary subject, but I never really stop to look at it. The texture and shadows are secondary to the repetition of horizontal lines. My eyes wander all over this picture, and it would have been better if there was some particular object, not just element, that my eyes were drawn to.

Shutter 1/180 - Aperture f/4.6 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 13.7 mm

Diagonal Lines

This shot was a complete accident. I had climbed inside of our empty silo to get some other shots, and just snapped a few while I was inside. The main subject of this photo is the diagonal lines, and circles are the secondary. The contrast of the rust and the silver adds to the shot.  

Shutter 1/60 - Aperture f/5.2 - ISO 800  - Focal Length 17.1 mm

This is another example of curved lines. I like the detail in this shot. The photo would have been better without the shadow across the edge.

Shutter 1/600 - Aperture f/4.1 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 11 mm

Winter Nature

Oreo

The main subject in this shot is my heifer Oreo.  I am not really sure why I like this photograph so much, but it is definitely my favorite from this shoot. The secondary subject is the barbed wire fence. I like the angle of the camera and looking up at her. The back of the cow is out of focus a little, and I think the shot would have been better if the entire cow was in focus.

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/4.1
ISO: 200

Focal Length: 11 mm

Stickin' it Out

I came across a patch of burdock the other morning. The plants seem so bare without the usual billowing leaves, but it provided a unique perspective of the seeds. I like how one branch hangs out to the middle, giving a crisp shot of the seeds as the main subject. The secondary subject is the stem and leaves of the plant. The picture is a little too busy on the left side, however, drawing the attention away from the main subject.

Shutter: 1/105

Aperture: f/2.9
ISO: 200

Focal Length: 5.7 mm

Frosty Azalea

This is an interesting picture of an azalea. I usually don't look in my flower garden during the winter, but this year has been an interesting exception. The main subject here is the frost covered azalea leaves, and the secondary subject is the rock wall in the background. I really enjoy how clear the frost is on some of the leaves. One way to improved this shot would have been lower the angle. I think this would have made the frost more evident.

Shutter: 1/250

Aperture: f/4.6
ISO: 100

Focal Length: 13.7 mm

Open Theme 1

Spirals

I took this picture of the bottom of a spiral staircase this weekend in a library. The primary subject is the repetition of the lines while the secondary subject is steps. I think that the angle worked well, and the curves draw the attention all around the shot. The lighting did not work very well. The daylight created shadows that do not contribute, and the bottom left corner is overexposed.

Shutter: 0.0653595 

Aperture: f/3.7 

ISO: 800 

Focal Length: 6.4 mm 

Sharing a Moment

The main subject of this photograph is my brother walking with our little sisters along Lake Michigan. The secondary subject is the repeating pattern of the walkway. The angle and background worked very well in this shot, but it is overexposed. I tried to darken the highlights, but that made the rest of the picture too dark. 

Shutter: 0.036 

Aperture: f/3.5 

ISO: 800 

Focal Length: 5 mm

Blue

In this shot of Lake Michigan, layers are the main subject. The secondary subject is blue. The color appears in every layer in contrasting shades. The horizon is slightly crooked in this shot. In addition, the shadows are too dark, making the colors seem almost fake.

Shutter: 0.00244 

Aperture: f/5 

ISO: 80 

Focal Length: 26.8 mm