Category: Photography
leap into focus
This past week end, we attended the Kenora Harbourfest and participated in the Classic Car Show with our ’69 Camero. I took lots of pictures of parts of cars so don’t be watching future posts for shots of the 100+ cars on display. I focussed on (pun intended) wheels, chrome reflections and classic detailing. One of my favourite vehicles was a 1936 Ford pick up with this leaping greyhound which looks a lot like the iconic jaquar hood ornament. Ironically, Ford bought Jaguar in 1989. Who copied whom?

Photo tip: The amount of what is in focus is related to the aperture setting (measured in f-stops). I’ve always been confused by how this is explained, “small minimum aperture (larger maximum f-number) allows for a wider depth of field…” What I do know is the smaller the f-number, the more expensive the lense!! I have also figured out the lower number, the faster the shutter and the crisper the image. Of course this is very important with moving subjects. I usually shoot in aperture mode at the smallest number my lense will allow. What happened with the above image was, having my zoom out full (200mm) and aperture at f/2.8, only part of the ornament ended up in focus. Considering the shutter speed was 1/1250 of a second and the vehicle was not moving, I could have easily adjusted the aperture to f-11 or f-14 (is that bigger, smaller, wider, narrower, I don’t know!) Making the f-number adjustment would have brought the whole greyhound in focus. A way to remember the f-stop to use: the lower the f-number f-2.8 or f-4), the shallower the depth of field (less will be in focus) like for a butterfly on a flower with a dreamy blurred background; the higher the f-number (like f-22 or f-29) more will be in focus best for landscapes with everything in focus.
Start saving up for those sweet, pricey lenses….
speed bump
A recent afternoon, Brad and I headed to our Irene Lake outpost cabin to determine the work projects still remaining for the season (and relax a little away from the phone). On my stroll down the beach looking for tiny treasures of nature for my crafting (more info to come), I spotted this cottonwood daggar caterpillar on a stroll of its own. I wonder why it decided to go over instead of around the pine cone!







Photo Tip: For all my intimate landscape (close-up) images, until a add a macro to my pack, I use my largest zoom lense at maximum zoom. I can maintain a less threatening distance from the subject. With max zoom, I adjust the manual focus and then move my body to maintain focus rather than adjust the focus ring. Naturally, for still life, I would have the camera on a tripod but for subjects on the move, I prefer to fine-tune the focus with my body. Give it a try.



