DOF and diffraction

[Bob Salomon]

Yes, when the desired light is about to change or disappear, this is an approach that has allowed me to take home a satisfying (if not perfect) shot, rather than none at all.

Other times, the "Chance favors the prepared" proverb has led me to the "how," just in the nick of time, in the face of fleeting time.



I'm going to go out on a limb and say it was a limb.

How far into the scene was the limb?

[Kiwi7475]

How far into the scene was the limb?

I didn't record those details, but here's a rough sketch and ballpark distances thanks to google maps. Shot with a 300mm lens in 4x5.
The shot I uploaded was focused on the "tree", yes. The other two: one in the near foreground of the curving rock, and the other one on the background rock formation (I didn't upload those).



(please don't judge me on my poor sketching abilities :-) )

[Bob Salomon]

I didn't record those details, but here's a rough sketch and ballpark distances thanks to google maps. Shot with a 300mm lens in 4x5.
The shot I uploaded was focused on the "tree", yes. The other two: one in the near foreground of the curving rock, and the other one on the background rock formation (I didn't upload those).



(please don't judge me on my poor sketching abilities :-) )

You should have been focused ⅓ into the scene to maximize DOF.

[Vaughn]

I think I have been there.

[Kiwi7475]

I think I have been there.

Not a secret place by any means, it's the Hall of Horrors in Joshua Tree NP :-)

[Heroique]

Please don't judge me on my poor sketching abilities :- )

I think your sketch is a fine job illustrating your shooting situation.

Except, at the bottom of that forbidding abyss in front of your camera, I would have drawn the skeletons of park visitors and big animals that fell in and couldn't get out.

I think the photo is fine even with the OOF elements. I especially like the tree's side lighting, and its shadowy background for the depth and contrast.

[Vaughn]

Not a secret place by any means, it's the Hall of Horrors in Joshua Tree NP :-)

I have been in there, but was thinking of another spot. Everyone would approach the image differently...I was thinking of foreground rock and flower in focus and background way out of focus to pop the flower.

But don't mind me -- I think this was taken in the same area (8x10) -- can't say that it really works...

[Kiwi7475]

I think your sketch is a fine job illustrating your shooting situation.

Except, at the bottom of that forbidding abyss in front of your camera, I would have drawn the skeletons of park visitors and big animals that fell in and couldn't get out.

I think the photo is fine even with the OOF elements. I especially like the tree's side lighting, and its shadowy background for the depth and contrast.

Thanks! Yes, the shot can work without having everything in focus. Could have easily shot at f11-f13 to gain a bit more sharpness and force more elements into OOF. But I don’t really like the bokeh of that lens that much and also I was looking for everything in focus because the color already offers enough contrast/separation between the elements (otherwise I’d have shot it in b&w). But it’s a matter of taste; getting everything in focus was my vision, not necessarily everyone’s or a requirement.