JT Spunk | Photography

Helpful Tips for Someone New to Photography? (Messing with Depth of Field with a FujiFilm S5100)?

Okay, so I’ve literally JUST started getting into photography, and I was looking for some helpful tips to get me started.

I did a quick search on your camera. The aperture can be manually set, though it is a rather arduous process that has to be done in the menu options, not at all like it is done with a standard SLR type camera. Here is a site explaining how to do it:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S5100/S51A.HTM

You REALLY MUST spend time reading your owners manual. If you do not have one, here is where you can download one for free:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/support/ServiceSupportProductContent.do?dbid=819212&prodcat=789910&sscucatid=664271

Generally, the wider the aperture, (smaller f number), the less the depth of field. But there are other things that enter into it also. The distance of your subject from any background, the focal length being used, (longer focal length equals less depth of field), and in the case of digital cameras, the size of the digital sensor has a large effect. Unfortunately, your camera has some things that really work against getting a shallow depth of field. The lens will close down on you as you zoom out, and the sensor is of the tiny point and shoot size. These small sensors tend to make the entire scene in focus regardless of aperture settings.

So all you can do is set your aperture to it’s smallest number, try to keep your subject as far away from any background as possible, and only zoom out the lens a moderate amount.

Your camera is a decent enough piece of equipment, but to properly do the kind of things you are wanting to do, you really need a single lens reflex (SLR) type of camera, called DSLR if digital. Also, a quality lens with a large, constant aperture is necessary.

steve

Introduction to the Nikon D90, Vol. 1: Basic Controls $5.00 Take great pictures with your Nikon D90! Understanding the important controls and settings and how they relate to real world shooting situations can be the difference between a good shot and a great one. This second volume takes you beyond the basic buttons and dials, and explores topics that can help your shooting improve and become more consistent! The Nikon D90 is a powerful piece of equipment…

Tiffen DFXCMPV2 Dfx Complete Digital Filter Software V2 Stand-alone Version – Windows XP, VISTA or Macintosh v10.4.6 and higher $117.94 TBased on the success of its original award-winning Dfx Digital Filter software, Tiffen now introduces Dfx v2 that now features multiple masking and layering capabilities and a host of other features including more than 2,000 standard, exclusive and special effect filters, including simulations of many popular award-winning Tiffen glass filters, specialized lenses, optical lab processes, film grai…

JumpStart Video Training Guide on DVD for the Canon 30D Digital Camera. $2.48 Taking pictures is more than just pointing the camera and pressing a button. To get the kind of photos you really want, you’ll need to learn a little bit about your camera. You can transition from taking snapshots to producing inspired images that you will cherish forever. It’s not hard; these JumpStart Guides from MasterWorks will show you how. The following topics are covered on each DVD: The Fe…

JumpStart Video Training Guide on DVD, for the Canon Digital Rebel XT Camera. $15.00 Taking pictures is more than just pointing the camera and pressing a button. To get the kind of photos you really want, you’ll need to learn a little bit about your camera. You can transition from taking snapshots to producing inspired images that you will cherish forever. It’s not hard; these JumpStart Guides from MasterWorks will show you how. The following topics are covered on each DVD: The …

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras $670.00 A highly practical medium telephoto lens with superb delineation and portability. Images are sharp and clear at all apertures. Through computer simulations, the lens has been designed to give beautiful background blur. Since the front lens group does not rotate during focusing special filter effects are not affected. Sharp. Lightweight. Responsive. These are just a few adjectives that describ…

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras $469.00 With the large maximum aperture, excellent background blur is possible even with a fast shutter speed. The aspherical lens element makes the lens compact and corrects spherical aberrations. The image is sharp even at the edges. Lead-free glass is used. FEATURES: EF mount; wide-angle lens Aspherical lens; floating system; inner focusing; full-time manual focus 28mm focal length f/1.8 maximum …

Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full HD Video and Ultra Wide Angle Lens (Silver) $279.00 Experience an even more intuitive touch panel technology with the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera. Do almost everything right on the LCD – like choosing an AF point, set exposure settings and record videos – all with the touch of one finger. The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS brings the art of photography at your command. It’s packed with great Canon essentials like an f/2.0 lens, the HS SYSTEM, 1080p…

Nikon D5100 Experience – The Still Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Nikon D5100 $8.99 Nikon D5100 Experience is an eBook user’s guide for the new Nikon D5100 digital SLR.  Learn to use the D5100 quickly and competently to improve your photography and capture better images.  Take control of your camera and the photos you create.This guide covers the settings, functions and controls of this advanced dSLR, plus explains when and why to use them.Nikon D5100 Experience is for intermed…

Exposure Photo Workshop $29.99 New and updated techniques for working with exposureExposure involves a variety of skills, but once mastered, can turn a hobbyist into a bona fide photographer. This hands-on resource dissects the components of exposure—ISO, aperture, shutter speed—and shows how they work together to capture the photographer’s vision. You’ll learn how to leave the safety of automatic settin…

Nikon D3000 Digital Field Guide (Digital Field Guides) $5.44 This Nikon D3000 Digital Field Guide has all the answers. This full-color guide, perfectly sized to fit in your camera bag, not only explains all essential controls, features and functions, it also goes well beyond the basics to give you a photography refresher on lighting, composition, exposure and more.You’ll find step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions and full-color images of menu screens. E…

Depth of Field $114.71 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles In optics,particularly as relates to film and photography, the depth of field (DOF) is the portion of a scene that appears acceptably sharp in the image. Although a lens can precisely focus at only one distance, the decrease in sharpness is gradual on each side of the focused distance, so that within the DOF, the unsharpness is imperceptible under normal viewing conditions. In some cases, it may be desirable to have the entire image sharp, and a large DOF is appropriate. In other cases, a small DOF may be more effective, emphasizing the subject while deemphasizing the foreground and background. In cinematography, a large DOF is often called deep focus, and a small DOF is often called shallow focus. The DOF is determined by the subject distance (that is, the distance to the plane that is perfectly in focus), the lens focal length, the lens fnumber, and the format size or circle of confusion criterion. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 172 Publication Date: 2009/12/08 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.39 inches

Depth of Field Photography Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Perfect inside joke shirt for photo geeks Whoa, man, that’s DEEP Photography Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don’t waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable.

Depth of Field Photography Hoodie dark by CafePress $45 Perfect inside joke shirt for photo geeks Whoa, man, that’s DEEP Photography Hoodie dark Stay warm on the inside. Look oh-so-cool on the outside. Don this comfortable fleece sweatshirt for that dress-down BBQ — or your next dress-to-impress trip to the mall.10 oz. fleece blend 90% cotton/10% polyester. Fleece-lined hoo

Depth of Field Photography Sweatshirt dark by CafePress $39.5 Perfect inside joke shirt for photo geeks Whoa, man, that’s DEEP Photography Sweatshirt dark Tee, TShirt, Shirt Comfort? Without sacrificing style? No sweat. This soft-fleece sweatshirt from Hanes looks great, wears well, and keeps you cozy-warm. 10 oz. fleece blend 90% cotton/10% polyester. Double-needle coverseaming along neck, armholes wai

Depth of Field Photography Men’s Fitted T-Shirt dark by CafePress $26.5 Perfect inside joke shirt for photo geeks Whoa, man, that’s DEEP Photography Men’s Fitted T-Shirt dark Tee, TShirt, Shirt For stylish weekend comfort anytime, guys will want to live in our Fitted T by American Apparel. Made of ultra-fine, combed ring-spun cotton, that gets softer with each washing. Lightweight for summer comfort or winter layering. Grab attention with this v

Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D Digital Field Guide $12 Maximize the amazing abilities of your EOS Rebel T1i/500D You’ve chosen a powerful, versatile, 15.1-megapixel camera that can instantly switch from still image to HD video shooting. Learn everything it can do, explore the Creative Auto mode, and get professional advice on basic and advanced camera setup, customizing menus, and more with this book. Investigate flash options, lenses, and RAW capture. Take this guide on every shoot for detailed tips on getting perfect portraits, night, and macro, sports photos, and more. Adjust your camera settings without missing a shot Use Creative Auto to get great results even if you’re inexperienced Learn to use ISO, aperture, depth of field, and shutter speed to achieve professional effects Capture perfect action shots, breathtaking low-light images, exquisite nature photos, and more Learn to shoot HD video, with tips on getting the best results

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS Lens $849.95 “The flagship of the EOS Rebel line, Canon EOS Rebel T2i brings professional EOS features into an easy to use, lightweight digital SLR that’s a joy to use. Featuring a class-leading 18.0-megapixel CMOS image sensor and increased light sensitivity for low light photography, the EOS Rebel T2i also has an advanced HD Movie mode for gorgeous Full HD movies. Able to capture up to 3.7 frames per second, it’s ready to go the minute it’s picked up. Advanced Live View, a new wide-area screen, plus features like Canon’s brilliant Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone features ensure brilliant photos and movies, easily. With some of the most advanced features of any digital SLR, it’s simply the best Rebel Canon has ever created.Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS Lens included.Product Features: Type: Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera Recording Media: SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC Memory Card (not included) Image Sensor Size: 22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size) Compatible Lenses: Canon EF lenses including EF-S lenses (35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length) Lens Mount: Canon EF mountImage Sensor: Type: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor Pixels: Effective pixels: Approx. 18.00 Megapixels Aspect Ratio: 3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical) Color Filter System: RGB primary color filters Low-pass Filter: Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor Dust Deletion feature: (1) Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit (2) Dust Delete Data appended to the captured image (3) Manual cleaning of sensorRecording System: Recording Format: Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21 Image Type: Still: JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), RAW+JPEG Video: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM) File Size: (1) Large/Fine: Approx. 6.4MB (5184 x 3456 pixels) (2) Large/Normal: Approx. 3.2MB (5184 x 3456 pixels) (3) Medium/Fine: Approx. 3.4MB (3456 x 2304 pixels) (4) Medium/Normal: Approx. 1.7MB (3456 x 2304 pixels) (5) Small/Fine: Approx. 2.2MB (2592 x 1728 pixels) (6) Small/Normal: Approx. 1.1MB (2592 x 1728 pixels) (7) RAW: Approx. 24.5MB (5184 x 3456 pixels) Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc. File Numbering: Continuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset Color Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB selectable Picture Style: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1-3Image Processing: Type: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom Color Temperature Compensation: White balance correction: ?9 stops in full-stop increments White balance bracketing: ?3 stops in full-stop increments Blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible Color Temperature Information Transmission: ProvidedViewfinder: Type: Eye-level SLR (with pentamirror) Coverage: Vertical/Horizontal approx. 95% Magnification: Approx. 0.87x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1 (dpt)) Eyepoint: Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens center) Built-in Dioptric Adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter) Focusing Screen: Fixed, Precision Matte Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4L IS USM or shorter lenses) Viewfinder Information: AF information: AF points and focus confirmation light Exposure information: Shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning Flash information: Flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light Image information: Highlight tone priority (D+), monochrome shooting, maximum burst (1-digit display), white balance correction, SD card information Depth-of-Field Pr

Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS 12 MP CMOS Digital Camera – Pink $244.95 Simply Touch and Go!Experience an even more intuitive touch panel technology with the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera. Do almost everything right on the LCD – like choosing an AF point, set exposure settings and record videos – all with the touch of one finger. The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS brings the art of photography at your command. It’s packed with great Canon essentials like an f/2.0 lens, the HS SYSTEM, 1080p Full HD video and 24mm Wide-Angle Lens so every moment is captured in pure Canon brilliance.Product Features:24mm WideideISO 3200: Automatically optimizes ISO settings based on brightness and frame interval information for natural and correctly exposed pictures of people.Reduces the effect of camera shake – the biggest cause of blurry images – so you get a clear, nearly perfect picture every time!12.1 Megapixel CCD (CMOS)Super Slow Motion MovieUsers can easily connect their camera to a PictBridge-compatible printer and print images, no computer necessary.Detects and removes red-eye from images as the images are in playback mode on the LCD monitor.Detects and analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement, then selects the appropriate predefined camera setting for best results.UA Lens 3.2-inch Wide Touchscreen LCDf/2 LensLow LightPureColor System LCD4.4x Optical ZoomCanon manufactured image processor enables excellent picture quality, faster response time, and longer battery life while reducing camera noise.Exchangeable Image File which stores information about an image such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, date and time image was taken.Allows users to find the face or faces they want are in the frame to ensure excellent focus and proper illumination.HDMI – High Definition Multimedia InterfaceHybrid ISHybrid ISCanon’s HS SYSTEM with a 12.1 Megapixel CMOS and DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves shooting in low-light situations without the need for a flash and lowers noise levels at higher ISO settings.Full 1080p HD Video for exceptional quality with stereo sound, plus a dedicated movie button for easy access. Zoom optically while shooting video and keep footage stabilized with Dynamic IS.A large 3.2-inch touch panel LCD offers easy and intuitive operation.A bright f/2.0 lens, 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens, great for shooting portrait photography in low light conditions or using a shallow depth-of-field for great images with beautiful soft backgrounds.Get high-speed shooting in a point-and-shoot camera: High-speed Burst Mode captures 8.2fps and Super Slow Motion Movie records video at high speeds to allow slow motion playback.4.4x Optical Zoom Lens and Optical Image Stabilizer.Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 32 predefined shooting situations.Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes for extra control of your images.Movie Digest Mode records a short video clip right before shooting a still image and then combines one day’s worth of clips into one video.New scene modes, Toy Camera Effect and Monochrome, add an artistic look to your photosType: 12.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOSTotal Pixels: Approx. 12.8 MegapixelsEffective Pixels: Approx. 12.1 MegapixelsFocal Length: 4.3 (W) – 18.8mm (T) (35 mm film equivalent: 24 (W) – 105mm (T))Digital Zoom: Approx. 4.0x (Up to approx. 18x in combination with the optical zoom)Focusing Range: Normal AF: 2.0 in. (5cm) – infinity (W); 1.3 ft (40 cm) – infinity (T), Macro AF: 1.2 in. – 1.6 ft (3-50cm) (W)Autofocus System: TTL AutofocusLCD Monitor: 3.2-inch TFT LCD with wide viewing angle and Touch Panel TechnologyLCD Pixels: Approx. 461,000 dotsLCD Coverage: Approx. 100%

Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS 12 MP CMOS Digital Camera – Silver $244.99 Simply Touch and Go!Experience an even more intuitive touch panel technology with the PowerShot ELPH 500 HS digital camera. Do almost everything right on the LCD – like choosing an AF point, set exposure settings and record videos – all with the touch of one finger. The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS brings the art of photography at your command. It’s packed with great Canon essentials like an f/2.0 lens, the HS SYSTEM, 1080p Full HD video and 24mm Wide-Angle Lens so every moment is captured in pure Canon brilliance.Product Features:24mm WideideISO 3200: Automatically optimizes ISO settings based on brightness and frame interval information for natural and correctly exposed pictures of people.Reduces the effect of camera shake – the biggest cause of blurry images – so you get a clear, nearly perfect picture every time!12.1 Megapixel CCD (CMOS)Super Slow Motion MovieUsers can easily connect their camera to a PictBridge-compatible printer and print images, no computer necessary.Detects and removes red-eye from images as the images are in playback mode on the LCD monitor.Detects and analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement, then selects the appropriate predefined camera setting for best results.UA Lens 3.2-inch Wide Touchscreen LCDf/2 LensLow LightPureColor System LCD4.4x Optical ZoomCanon manufactured image processor enables excellent picture quality, faster response time, and longer battery life while reducing camera noise.Exchangeable Image File which stores information about an image such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, date and time image was taken.Allows users to find the face or faces they want are in the frame to ensure excellent focus and proper illumination.HDMI – High Definition Multimedia InterfaceHybrid ISHybrid ISCanon’s HS SYSTEM with a 12.1 Megapixel CMOS and DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves shooting in low-light situations without the need for a flash and lowers noise levels at higher ISO settings.Full 1080p HD Video for exceptional quality with stereo sound, plus a dedicated movie button for easy access. Zoom optically while shooting video and keep footage stabilized with Dynamic IS.A large 3.2-inch touch panel LCD offers easy and intuitive operation.A bright f/2.0 lens, 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens, great for shooting portrait photography in low light conditions or using a shallow depth-of-field for great images with beautiful soft backgrounds.Get high-speed shooting in a point-and-shoot camera: High-speed Burst Mode captures 8.2fps and Super Slow Motion Movie records video at high speeds to allow slow motion playback.4.4x Optical Zoom Lens and Optical Image Stabilizer.Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 32 predefined shooting situations.Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes for extra control of your images.Movie Digest Mode records a short video clip right before shooting a still image and then combines one day’s worth of clips into one video.New scene modes, Toy Camera Effect and Monochrome, add an artistic look to your photosType: 12.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOSTotal Pixels: Approx. 12.8 MegapixelsEffective Pixels: Approx. 12.1 MegapixelsFocal Length: 4.3 (W) – 18.8mm (T) (35 mm film equivalent: 24 (W) – 105mm (T))Digital Zoom: Approx. 4.0x (Up to approx. 18x in combination with the optical zoom)Focusing Range: Normal AF: 2.0 in. (5cm) – infinity (W); 1.3 ft (40 cm) – infinity (T), Macro AF: 1.2 in. – 1.6 ft (3-50cm) (W)Autofocus System: TTL AutofocusLCD Monitor: 3.2-inch TFT LCD with wide viewing angle and Touch Panel TechnologyLCD Pixels: Approx. 461,000 dotsLCD Coverage: Approx. 100%

Pinky Bass and the Pinhole Camera: An Unofficial Biography $14.47 New – Pinky Bass, an American photographer, has had her work displayed in various galleries across the United States and has perfected the art of pinhole photography. This book takes a look at her photographic style, as well as the various elements that comprise the pinhole camera (such as aperture, diffraction, depth of field, and so on). Also included in this book is a brief overview of Bass’ contemporaries, such as Judy Dater, Dieter Appelt Nate Larson, and Robert Mapplethorpe.This book was c

Pinky Bass and the Pinhole Camera: An Unofficial Biography $14.47 Used – Pinky Bass, an American photographer, has had her work displayed in various galleries across the United States and has perfected the art of pinhole photography. This book takes a look at her photographic style, as well as the various elements that comprise the pinhole camera (such as aperture, diffraction, depth of field, and so on). Also included in this book is a brief overview of Bass’ contemporaries, such as Judy Dater, Dieter Appelt Nate Larson, and Robert Mapplethorpe.This book was