I'm still playing with the new camera, and I have to say, I love the zoom on this camera.
Now, if it would only teach me photography!
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of bokeh. I seem to have better results when my subject is far away. Knowing this, I tried a few shots from this vantage point.
The X in the middle
is about where this shot was focused.
Not too sharp but not bad.
is about where this shot was focused.
Not too sharp but not bad.
The X off to the left
is what remains of our Japanese maple tree.
I thought all the leaves had blown off,
but it looks like some hung on.
Not too healthy, but they're still there.
is what remains of our Japanese maple tree.
I thought all the leaves had blown off,
but it looks like some hung on.
Not too healthy, but they're still there.
Here I tried focusing
on the intervening branches.
on the intervening branches.
And back to the dying leaves.
And again, the branches.
One thing I'm learning about bokeh,
it's good to have a colorful background.
One thing I'm learning about bokeh,
it's good to have a colorful background.
I think the dying red leaves make for a perfect blend of color. I considered dealing with some of the digital noise in the background, but decided that, for this test I wouldn't bother. At the size shown here, the noise is barely visible, but if you click for as larger version, it's pretty pronounced. Still, these are just test shots.
At least I feel like I'm gaining a bit of control over the camera. The SX40 is so new, there isn't a lot of information out there yet, so I started a Yahoo group so there will be a place to exchange some information. Hopefully, some folks will be able to assist me with some of my questions.
On another note, I found an interactive eBook (actually an iPad app) called "Master Your DSLR Camera: A Better Way to Learn Digital Photography". So far, it seems to be really excellent. Sort of like a book, but with all kinds of interactive presentations. When they talk about, say aperture, you can actually see what each setting does. So far, I think it's well worth the $10.
And now I'm off with a friend for another visit to the Global Winter Festival. She was unable to go the other night and I figured there might be a few more pictures to take!
7 comments:
Hi. Like your camera choice. If I had the money I would get that one too. As far as bokeh goes try focusing on something close, say a foot or so away from you, and have something like a Christmas tree in the background with the lights on. Worked for me! Happy Trails
I thought maybe you misspelled broke. :) Guess I've got a lot to learn...
We've never heard of bokeh! We have used Kitchen Bouquet a few times! I've given Suzy a bouquet of flowers. Some red wines have a delightful bouquet. But my cameera is another matter. I guess I'll have to go Google!
HUH?? New one on me too. How did we figure things out before Google??
First of all BOKEH is a japanese word, and means "blur".
In photography it stands for the out of focus areas.. that looks "blured".
Anyway, its not that easy to get a good bokeh with a normal digicam.
Its a matter of sensor size of the
Camera.. The bigger the sensor of a
camera (usualy DSLR cams have big
Sensors, fullframe DSLRs have maximum
size 35mm sensors), the better bokeh
You can get. Usualy digicams only
Have a 1/2.6 inch sensor. Which is
pretty small compare to a DSLR.
Thats why you wont get a propper
Bokeh with them. Only in Macro Modes.
Also a very important aspect is
the aperture of a camera.. The
Wider(lower the number) the aperture is opened, the more bokeh
You can get with a close object.
Thats why a 50mm F1.8 lense is very
Good to get good portrait photos with bokeh effect.
F8.0 and more is usualy used for
landscape photos to get as much as possible depth of field(DoF).
Fortunately The SX40 has a pretty lightstrong(fast) lense, with a aperture of 2.8. Wich is pretty decent. But still, it has a rather small sensor (1/2.3 inches). BUT the camera has a huge focal length.
Thats why you can create some Bokeh Situations anyway. Not only in Macro modes like with usual digicams. So if you want to do a portrait photo with bokeh, try to step away like 2-3meters and zoom a little bit in, maybe like 70-150mm.. and you will get a propper bokeh effect too. Even though its not a DSLR bith big sensor.. I hope it could help you a bit to understand it better. :)
First of all BOKEH is a japanese word, and means "blur".
In photography it stands for the out of focus areas.. that looks "blured".
Anyway, its not that easy to get a good bokeh with a normal digicam.
Its a matter of sensor size of the
Camera.. The bigger the sensor of a
camera (usualy DSLR cams have big
Sensors, fullframe DSLRs have maximum
size 35mm sensors), the better bokeh
You can get. Usualy digicams only
Have a 1/2.6 inch sensor. Which is
pretty small compare to a DSLR.
Thats why you wont get a propper
Bokeh with them. Only in Macro Modes.
Also a very important aspect is
the aperture of a camera.. The
Wider(lower the number) the aperture is opened, the more bokeh
You can get with a close object.
Thats why a 50mm F1.8 lense is very
Good to get good portrait photos with bokeh effect.
F8.0 and more is usualy used for
landscape photos to get as much as possible depth of field(DoF).
Fortunately The SX40 has a pretty lightstrong(fast) lense, with a aperture of 2.8. Wich is pretty decent. But still, it has a rather small sensor (1/2.3 inches). BUT the camera has a huge focal length.
Thats why you can create some Bokeh Situations anyway. Not only in Macro modes like with usual digicams. So if you want to do a portrait photo with bokeh, try to step away like 2-3meters and zoom a little bit in, maybe like 70-150mm.. and you will get a propper bokeh effect too. Even though its not a DSLR bith big sensor.. I hope it could help you a bit to understand it better. :)
First of all BOKEH is a japanese word, and means "blur".
In photography it stands for the out of focus areas.. that looks "blured".
Anyway, its not that easy to get a good bokeh with a normal digicam.
Its a matter of sensor size of the
Camera.. The bigger the sensor of a
camera (usualy DSLR cams have big
Sensors, fullframe DSLRs have maximum
size 35mm sensors), the better bokeh
You can get. Usualy digicams only
Have a 1/2.6 inch sensor. Which is
pretty small compare to a DSLR.
Thats why you wont get a propper
Bokeh with them. Only in Macro Modes.
Also a very important aspect is
the aperture of a camera.. The
Wider(lower the number) the aperture is opened, the more bokeh
You can get with a close object.
Thats why a 50mm F1.8 lense is very
Good to get good portrait photos with bokeh effect.
F8.0 and more is usualy used for
landscape photos to get as much as possible depth of field(DoF).
Fortunately The SX40 has a pretty lightstrong(fast) lense, with a aperture of 2.8. Wich is pretty decent. But still, it has a rather small sensor (1/2.3 inches). BUT the camera has a huge focal length.
Thats why you can create some Bokeh Situations anyway. Not only in Macro modes like with usual digicams. So if you want to do a portrait photo with bokeh, try to step away like 2-3meters and zoom a little bit in, maybe like 70-150mm.. and you will get a propper bokeh effect too. Even though its not a DSLR bith big sensor.. I hope it could help you a bit to understand it better. :)
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