Lochinver

[Donald]

Do you follow the thinking of the f64 group and make sure everything is in focus from front to back, or do you go with something else that you think will work from an artistically creative point of view?

With this, I wanted to ensure that the viewer would see the context in terms of the environment in which these lobster pots sat on a quayside, but did feel that the attention needed to be thrown onto those pots. So, f2.8 it was.

What do you think?


40D, 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 30mm. ISO100. 1/1500s@f2.8

[Kodiak]

What do you think?

I LOVE IT!

Some parts of the cages are blown, I suppose you tried to tweak them down!

[Shadowman]

Depends on the shot, but mostly f/64 and I probably would have gone with more sharpness with this particular image only because the background material looks interesting.

[terrib]

I think you made the right decision and John's comments reinforce that based on what you said. You many times include more sky in your shots that I would but I know that is a conscious decision on your part and is, I think, part of your style. But less sky here might further concentrate attention on the pots. On the other hand, the sky seems to create some tension (if I even know what that really means)

[dabhand]

As I prefer to study an image for as much as I can get out of it, so I generally prefer focus front to back, especially when the background is interesting and adds to the overall picture, even more so if it's anything to do with marine activity.

steve

[thegman]

Very nice shot Donald f2.8 good idea.

[pnodrog]

I think at f64 leave the sky in but as it is I am debating vigorously with myself as to whether or not the sky should be there at all with the soft focus background.

[Slipper]

Due to the focus, the eye is definitely drawn to the pots, so you succeeded in your purpose IMO.
I too prefer more in focus though but in this shot, a different composition would be needed to achieve what you did with the focus, so being the worst landscape togger going, I hope my thoughts add to the thread.

[TonyW]

I think this has succeeded very well, being a picture of the lobster pots with the town as a background. The brightness of the pots as well as their relative sharpness makes them clearly the main subject.

I was also interested as this is one place in Scotland that I have visited.

[marlunn]

I like it as it is - personally for me, the pots were the subject and the background was the context, so subject sharp - context recognisable but not intrusive works best for me

[kdoc856]

I think it works as is. How much focus the background gets is inversely proportional to how important it is to retain the viewers' attention on your foreground subject. If we want to highlight a beautiful model we don't compete with her by putting her in a fascinating setting with an equal amount of focus and lighting.

The study here as you stated was the pots, and they deserved and required the greater focus. Another image including the background focus would be just as legitimate and pleasing, just a completely different image.

[Stagecoach]

It works for me Donald and I suspect that even if the background were in focus it's distance away is not really going to provide the viewer with any worthwhile additional information.

[Donald]

I always like it when an image of mine provokes divergent views and opinions. It just serves to emphasise that there is very little that is 'right' and that in this artistic endeavour what is 'right' is what we like and how we interpret the scene before us.

Hopefully my post also provokes thought in those who don't feel able, or don't wish, to come in and make a comment. If it provokes thought, then it contributes to learning.

Thank you to all those above for their comments.

[John 2]

For me Donald, without the BG it would be a graphic image and no worse for that. With a BG, it says something about the place and is a nice image in that context. As to focus, I think I'm in the camp that wouldn't worry one way or the other. Nice image, nice conversion.

[JR1]

went there many times when I lived in Invergordon

[Donald]

For me Donald, without the BG it would be a graphic image and no worse for that.

Yet another idea to prompt thinking about what you do with a subject like this.

went there many times when I lived in Invergordon

There are many times I wish I was a bit closer. A majestic, magnificent part of the world.