Out of focus - new technique im looking into (seriously)

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Out of focus - new technique im looking into (seriously)

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:11 pm

I was walking past a shop front the other day and noticed a series of out of focus images in the window that caught my eye. It got me to thinking that its a technique I hadnt looked into. I spend most of my time trying to avoid out of focus, as im sure a lof of you also do. I know its a bit arty, but i thought i would give it a go to see what happened.

However - after staring at my first effort for the last few minutes i am starting to feel queasy.

[img]http://www.fototime.com/{18022C20-1D8E-4564-8AC3-4F58CEA5DDEE}/picture.JPG[/img]

Im interested in your thoughts, and if there are any learned masters of the OOF then please let me know so i can pick your brains.
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby belle on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:21 pm

Yay! Pokey!
Not sure if other members of the forum will agree but I personally love this image. In it's defense, achieving an effective out of focus shot is much harder nowadays than simply letting the autofocus do the work.
belle
Newbie
 
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2004 6:04 pm
Location: Glebe, Sydney

Postby Alpha_7 on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:23 pm

Reminds me of crime scene, I think it takes a while to get your OOF eye in, as it's the inverse of what we are used to, in focus. Don't give up and keep on experimenting.
User avatar
Alpha_7
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7259
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:19 pm
Location: Mortdale - Sydney - Nikon D700, x-D200, Leica, G9

Postby gstark on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:28 pm

Obviously shot using your Sigma.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22924
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Postby Manta on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:33 pm

Sorry Willy - I'm a real bore: this doesn't do a thing for me. :?
Simon
D300 l MB-D10 l D70 l SB-800 l 70-200 VR l TC 17-E l 18-70 f3.5-4.5 l 70-300 f4-5.6 l 50 f1.4 l 90 Macro f2.8 l 12-24 f4
http://www.redbubble.com/people/manta
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:46 pm

gstark wrote:Obviously shot using your Sigma.


Nice quip Gary :shock: :)
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:47 pm

Manta wrote:Sorry Willy - I'm a real bore: this doesn't do a thing for me. :?


Thanks Manta for being honest. Something to work on? Might do a OOF series next time.
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:49 pm

belle wrote:Yay! Pokey!
Not sure if other members of the forum will agree but I personally love this image. In it's defense, achieving an effective out of focus shot is much harder nowadays than simply letting the autofocus do the work.


Thanks belle for the encouragement. :D Its highly likely that some will like it or hate it (or both).

Cheers Steve PS: I see you know my little horse friend
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:51 pm

Alpha_7 wrote:Reminds me of crime scene, I think it takes a while to get your OOF eye in, as it's the inverse of what we are used to, in focus. Don't give up and keep on experimenting.


Cheers Craig - Its something that I would like to learn more about. (Might also help my in focus photography at the same time? :roll: )
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby Nnnnsic on Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:24 am

I shot some images out of focus a while ago, but while I like using the OOF technique, I don't think this image displays any really good uses of it it.

I think you'd want to push it OOF more than have it seem just slighty OOF, which is where it is.
Producer & Editor @ GadgetGuy.com.au
Contributor for fine magazines such as PC Authority and Popular Science.
User avatar
Nnnnsic
I'm a jazz singer... so I know what I'm doing
 
Posts: 7770
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2004 12:29 am
Location: Cubicle No. 42... somewhere in Bondi, NSW

Postby birddog114 on Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:25 am

The Admins,
We might have the special corner for all OOF photos. :lol:
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby Manta on Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:33 am

birddog114 wrote:The Admins,
We might have the special corner for all OOF photos. :lol:


You could just call it "Manta's Gallery"
:oops:
Simon
D300 l MB-D10 l D70 l SB-800 l 70-200 VR l TC 17-E l 18-70 f3.5-4.5 l 70-300 f4-5.6 l 50 f1.4 l 90 Macro f2.8 l 12-24 f4
http://www.redbubble.com/people/manta
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld

Postby Sir Tristram on Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:35 am

I agree with Birdie. Create an OOF area just so I can post more of my birds in flight photos.

:oops: :oops:
And this is where I met the leprechaun - He told me to burn things
User avatar
Sir Tristram
Member
 
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:17 pm
Location: Dundas - NSW - D70s


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques