I did a little experiment with the aperture settings on my macro lens last night, running through the stops from f/3.5 through f/7.1. This image above is the f/3.5, while yesterday’s was f/2.8. It was a fun little experiment shooting the same image and seeing what the subtle difference was between the stops. The light was different than the other day and the wind was a bit of a challenge. I’m not sure which one I prefer, but you can see for yourselves in the gallery below. Tomorrow will be something other than a lilac, I promise.
I performed a very similiar experiment with a monopoly board, dice, and pieces. It WAS interesting to observe the subtle changes AND to hear comments on which shot was the preferred shot. My husband liked a more clear, crisp version and I liked the artistic subtlety that only a larger aperture can provide. Guess that’s what makes photography so interesting!
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Toni, I found this site the other day. Very cool when thinking about DOF: http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
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it is so interesting to see these all lined up. and of course the lilac is a wonderful subject
i can’t help it but i always go for the ones with the most obvious bokeh whether that is a smoothness of circles of light. so the one up for today is my pick!
thanks for the ?? regarding my trek to the Barn House this past weekend. i will e-mail you a response
xo
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Stunning macro. Purples in the garden are amongst my favorite.
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I did that too back when I first got Bryan Peterson’s book (which I wrote about over the weekend and will be posting today). I hope you’re having fun with your new lenses!
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No need to hurry off from the lilac photos. They are really beautiful.
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I can’t believe you’ve got lilacs already! I’m drooling over your macro lens. One of these days, I’ll need to add that to my list.
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I’ve been doing that experiment lately too! Except the photos are still on my camera, and it’s hard to tell the difference when I look at them on my camera screen.
Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. Gorgeous.
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Really cool going through this gallery seeing all the different DOF’s. For this photo I think my favorite was the one at 4.0. Anyways great macros!
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This will come as no shocker but of course I like the 7.1 which is the sharpest and crisper. Must be a man thing.
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practice makes perfect! cool aperture settings here and you got the details nicely.
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Firstly, your lilacs are farther along than ours (sigh). Secondly, fun experiment. Me, I prefer the more shallow DOF when it comes to flowers.
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F-stops…. what on earth are they! ha ha
DOF’s and apertures…. I’m going to have to look all that up on the internet…..
The fun of experimentation and the differeing opinions of the eyes that view, are two reasons why I love photography, Tony. I like all of the versions for different reasons, so I guess I am a fence-sitter today
The further you stop down your apeature the more in DOF you gain.
In macro photography competions that I have seen the small Apeature (higher F-stop number) with the subject completely in focus are alway regardely much more highly.
but it all comes down to personal preference in the end and what you are trying to show your viewer.
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The best way to learn is thru trial and error. The differences are subtle..but significant. Excellent ‘study’.
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Apologies for the really bad spelling/typos in my previous comment. I think it’s off to bed for me. Too many late nights.
PS: I hope you know what I meant
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Beautiful experiments and good results
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