How would you focus this Sierra Redwood?

[Heroique]

I was in haste when I composed this Sierra Redwood – and I somewhat botched the focus.

But I do like the composition. My plan is to return to the same spot with greater leisure – and by applying any wisdom you can offer – get the focus right this time, while meeting a few additional “aims” I’ve listed below.

Please help me with your suggestions!

It’s a rather difficult shot – the tree’s giant limb is much more dramatically foreshortened than the photo makes apparent. That’s the main problem.

My tripod is about 8 or 10 feet away from the trunk – rather close, but limbs behind me prevented any additional steps backward. A crowded situation. I even used rope to gently pull-back other limbs from the camera’s view. The giant limb (where its top edge meets trunk) is about 5 or 6 feet high!

Alas, I didn’t record camera movements – I do remember using a bit of front fall & slight front swing (left or right, I can’t recall). That was to bring trunk & giant limb into focus, but the same movements, I’m pretty sure, pulled the photo’s lower-left foreground & upper upper-right limbs out of focus.

My key aims:
1) Preserve this composition/perspective
2) Return when overcast (to eliminate sunspots/bright background)
3) The difficult part: focus the entire trunk, all limbs, plus the foreground
4) Ideally, I’d like the background forest to be (slightly) out of focus, for a portrait effect, but it’s not necessary.

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6 (my widest lens)
Tmax-100
½ sec. @ f/22
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

[r.e.]

Are you sure that you want to shoot this in overcast conditions and eliminate play of light?

I'll say one thing, this photograph is going to turn a few heads. Reminds me of certain examples of pre-Columbian art.

[ic-racer]

Tilts, etc always reduce DOF to some extent. I'd keep things relatively straight. Then use the focusing equation, putting the focal point at the half-way-point between the edge of the trunk and the close part of the limb. Probably around f64.

[Daniel_Buck]

I would to a tad bit of front swing like you mentioned, but not alot! you may only need a degree or two! When you did the swing, did you check the glass with a loupe? Guessing the correct amount of swing/tilt without a loup will probably be very difficult without visually checking with a loupe.

You mentioned that you botched the focus, in what way? I would sit there for a few short minutes and loupe the main trunk and the end of the tree limb as you swing the front standard, until you get them both good. Then stop down and check again if it's bright enough to check at f22 or so Maybe stopping to f32 or even smaller might be necessary (or if you are unsure), but your background will probably not be very defocused at that point.

I would agree with you wanting to come back with overcast sky (or late in the day with no direct light) Trees is a favorite subject of mine, and my favorite light for trees is overcast or late in the day with no direct light. I like the subtle contrast and tones that I can get out of the flat lighting. Might not be for everyone, but that's usually what I end up preferring.

These two as an example of some trees on overcast days:

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-cont...holland_05.jpg

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-cont...holland_05.jpg

[Heroique]

[...] You mentioned that you botched the focus, in what way? [...]

It's not easy to see in the screen image, but becomes apparent (and distracting) in the 8x10 print.

Here are two crops that might help:

Crop #1 is from photo's lower left: It gradually goes from blurry to sharp.

Crop #2 is from lower right: It stayed in focus.

The same thing happened in the original photo's upper corners, except in reverse.

[Daniel_Buck]

I'd say maybe to much swing? How does the branch look, was the entire branch in focus?

The upper corners were reversed? Hm... I would guess that you don't need to do any tilting for this shot, just swing.

[Heroique]

[...] How does the branch look, was the entire branch in focus? [...]

Yes, the big branch stayed in focus, all the way to the top.

But the branches in upper right go blurry. (Just the reverse of the ground below.)

Here are two more quick crops...

I should stress the big branch is flying over my head more than it appears in the photo.

[vinny]

from what you describe, I'd say f22 wouldn't work no matter what. I'd say f45 would be more appropriate along with some swing.

[cowanw]

If you have swing and the opposite top and bottom are off focus, do you have some inadvertant tilt as well putting the line of focus on a diagonal from Upper left to lower right?
Regards
Bill

[Bill_1856]

I don't see anything wrong with what you've got now.