Project Three-Depth of Field
Title – Serenity at Callaway Gardens
Tags- depth of field, Callaway Gardens, church, sanctuary & Digital Photography Class
I found this assignment very interesting because depth of field is subjective. It is really up to the person to what depth of field works in their photograph. Do you want an extreme or a shallow depth of field? The decision needs to be made for what feeling you are trying to convey. Ben Long, author of Complete Digital Photography, mentioned that even with an extreme depth of field in a landscape photograph, it is essential to have a focus. Completing this assignment has forever changed how I take a picture. I think about depth of field now more. I don’t know that I ever gave this a moment’s consideration before this project.
I followed Mr. Long’s suggestions and many others from the suggested websites I read and took this photograph on a tripod so that the picture would not blur. The focus for this shot is the front arch. According to Mr. Long, you are supposed to have more depth of field behind the point of focus. I believe I achieved that. The door is in sharp focus as are all the arches, but behind the door has more depth of field. This assignment meets the requirements of demonstrating depth of field and has excellent depth of field. I used Photoshop Elements and transformed the image because there were steps in front of this walkway and they kind of led you right off of the picture. The one area where I wish I could have edited was the brown beam at the top. I had no success editing this out of the picture.
I chose the title and tags to match the photograph and for easy reference in searching for the picture in the future. I exceeded on all the comments I made for my peers as I gave thoughtful comments and constructive feedback. I enjoyed having the opportunity to look at my classmates’ pictures and gained knowledge from seeing their photos.
I believe I could use this type of photograph in an educational setting on repetition. Repetition shows up in architecture all around the world. Repetitive elements show up in math (patterns), in poetry, and in books. We could have a discussion on how repetition ‘grounds’ humans, and why it is an effective element.