Depth of Field — The distance between the nearest and farthest objects judged to be in focus in a photograph.
Simple enough, right? And you probably already know that the easiest and most common way to control your depth of field is by selecting the proper camera aperture. All else being equal, smaller apertures (higher f-stop values) put more of your image in focus, while larger apertures (lower f-stop values) give you a narrow (shallow) depth of field. Here are a few examples of the latter. The first shows a section of the front panel of my audio system preamplifier.
And this one shows a spent flower (a Pasque, if I remember correctly).
Having trouble getting a depth of field that shallow, despite shooting wide open (largest aperture your camera/lens will allow)? It may be due to the size of your camera’s sensor (the device that converts the optical image into an electronic signal). In general terms, the smaller the sensor, the more difficult it is to achieve a shallow depth of field. And most compact (point and shoot) cameras have relatively small sensors What exactly do we mean by a “small” sensor? Well, it’s a relative term, but it’s easy enough to find the sensor size of most cameras on sites like www.dpreview.com. Simply type in a camera model in the search bar near the top right corner of the page, click on the “Products” link and the first page will show you the camera’s specifications. The sensor size is listed right near the top. The first number (the one that looks something like 1/2.3″) is actually an outdated reference that was carried over from earlier days. The second set of numbers (the ones in parentheses) define the actual size of the sensor (in millimeters). A “full frame” dSLR will have a sensor size of 36mm x 24mm, while a dSLR with the “APS-C” format will have a sensor size of about 24mm x 16mm. Moving on to compact cameras, you might see sensor sizes like 6mm x 4.5mm. Compared to the full frame dSLR, that is tiny! And remember what I just said at the beginning of this paragraph — “the smaller the sensor, the more difficult it is to achieve a shallow depth of field.” Don’t get me wrong … small sensors have a lot of advantages, but getting shallow depth of field isn’t one of them.
If you’re still with me, and have an interest in learning more, there are plenty of tools that can help you calculate depth of field for your particular camera/lens. The following is a screen shot shot from a PC-based calculator (you can download it for free here). I entered the data for my camera and lens, selected a subject distance of 2′ and an aperture of f/22. Here are the results.
If you use an Android phone or tablet, here’s a screen shot of an app that’s pretty handy (you can get if for free at the Play Store here, and there are several similar apps for iPhone and iPad). This time, I entered much of the same information, but selected an aperture of f/2.8. Notice the difference in the depth of field compared to the first example at f/22.
One important thing to keep in mind when using these calculators is that the “subject distance” is measured from the focal plane of the camera, not from the front of the lens. Other than that, they’re easy to use and absolutely free. And they might just help you understand why you can’t quite get that out-of-focus background you want for your product shots or portraits.
Until next time … Happy Shooting!
Mike, a Pennsylvania native, is a metallurgical engineer and an amateur photographer. A graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, he is the president of Opus Technologies LLC. Mike enjoys experimenting with various photographic techniques, evaluating (playing with) new equipment and writing about the technical aspects of photography. Discover his blog, etsy shop and online gallery.
The Crafts: Ceramic Works by Young Kang and Nicole Dubrow at the Water Gallery, Lansdale, PA
The Water Gallery in Lansdale, PA is exhibiting ceramic works by two Montgomery County area ceramic artists, Young Kang and Nicole Dubrow, through June 20th, 2012.
Nicole Dubrow is a full-time master potter and artist living and working in Skippack, Pennsylvania. She received her BFA in Sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute and Masters in Art studies at the Pennsylvania State University. She is the founder and instructor of the nationally recognized professional studio and school Black Sheep Pottery & Art Center, Skippack, PA.
Functional and Sculptural Ceramic by Nicole Dubrow at the Water Gallery, Lansdale, PA
Young Kang began her art over thirty years ago, when her daughter started kindergarten, and she began to take ceramic classes at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA. She has exhibited her work in various juried and invitational shows, and currently she is a studio assistant at MCCC.
Ceramics by Young Kang in Red and Black at the Water Gallery
I am more than pleased that Nutmeg Designs was invited to join the Water Gallery just in time for this exhibit of The Crafts. I look forward to learning more about what collectors want and what they care about as I participate in this cooperative gallery, and will report back to HiP Passions.
The Crafts: Water Gallery, Lansdale, PA, through June 30th, 2012
Margaret makes glass mosaics to catch the eye and delight the soul. She works from a one-bedroom-two-studio rowhouse in Lansdale, with her husband Wayne Stratz, and together they are Nutmeg Designs: Fine Glass Craft. Discover her blog, etsy shop and tweet @margaretalmon.
Fabric is really one my favorite creative commodities on the planet and it’s great that we can find unique beautiful fabrics for all kinds of sewing purposes at some local stores. One of my favorites is a swwet little shop called Cloth and Bobbin in Narberth PA. It’s a bit of a hike for me out here in Chester County, but well worth the trip.
Cloth and Bobbin has a facebook page and some fantastic collections of new fabrics and other sewing related merchandise are being posted lately.
They also offer many quilting and other kinds of classes including one coming up in June to make this big cute ottoman/pillow. I learned how to crochet a rug with fabric strips at Cloth and Bobbin and it was such a fun afternoon.
Another favorite is The Quilt Block in Exton, PA. They are located in a cozy old house not too far from the cozy old house that I live in! They too carry fantastic fabrics, patterns and other sewing supplies, plus offer ongoing classes. They are in the midst of updating their website and have a facebook page. I learned how to make a quilted ironing board cover at The Quilt Block.
Victoria O'Neill, a multiple mediums artist and owner of ArtyPantz Productions LLC has been sharing her creativity with people of all ages for years. "I love people and I love to make things. Creativity flows through me like a hose on full blast, spraying in many directions, all at once."
As someone who has taken on the challenge of screen printing for myself, I thought I would share a few things on screen printing today. The very first is that other screen printers and suppliers are extremely helpful if you are a first-timer like I was, but no matter how much advice they gave me it really was a trial-and-error process that I had to learn for myself. From exposing screens to washing them, and the consistency of inks, there are a lot of variables depending on the project that you have in store. It’s a difficult yet rewarding printing method, because each piece is a one-of-a-kind, and usually a limited edition. Recently I stumbled upon two things that I would like to share with you.
The first, is SVEIKA, an Etsy shop featuring handprinted textiles. SVEIKA (meaning things to treasure) is a design and screen-printing studio located in Philadelphia offering tote bags, tea towels, clutches, coasters, and a whole lot more. Their work is a good example of taking the art of screen printing and making your home a little more beautiful.
Next, I want to share Screen Printing: On the Cheap, where a team of creators have put together a comprehensive DIY book that demonstrates a “new school” of screen printing making the process more accessible to the community. In turn, screen printing makes creative work more accessible to the masses. I recently backed them on Kickstarter to help publish this new book which will be invaluable to those looking to screen print, and you can too.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Diane Faye Zerr is a freelance graphic designer and author of the Faye + Co blog. She has a B.F.A. from Kutztown University and has worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Arts, small advertising agencies, and now works from her home design studio in Reading.
The 2012 Chester County Studio Tour is coming! Buckle your seat belts and get ready for the 4th year of this annual tour, featuring 10 artist studios, and 25 artists! This free event started out as a casual monthly discussion between local artists, and has evolved into a tour through local studios, with work from acclaimed and talented artists for sale and enjoyment. Imagine visiting the studio of Andrew Wyeth in Chadds Ford 60 years ago, before he dubbed Chester County as the icon of American landscape painting!
Today a new generation of Chester County artists open their studios, building on this artistic legacy, and gives the opportunity for the public to recognize the ‘great’s in their natural habitat!
Chester County Studio Tour is a self-guided trail that connects and highlights these local and extraordinary artists. Join us for 2 full days of joy and appreciation of what is being created by your neighbors and friends. No reservations necessary.
Saturday, May 19, 10am-6pm
Sunday, May 20, 10am-5pm
For a full list of artists, visit chestercountystudiotour.com and download the studio tour map. Follow it through the winding roads and rolling hills until you reach the door of an artist’s studio. There you can join in the journey and experience art everywhere in Chester County.
Every so often, we at the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen look at each other and say…” you know, I’m just itching for some inspiration.” A few years ago, in one such moment, the Tours of Inspiration were born! They are designed to be affordable, friendly, and fun afternoons where artists, appreciators, and neighbors can get together and explore a regional handmade wonder! Just for the fun of it.
May 24, we have organized a special treat designed to inspire. Working with the Wharton Esherick Museum, and Historic Yellow Springs, the Guild has put together a fantastic afternoon, exploring handmade wooden sculpture…literally from the ground up!
Wharton Esherick (1887-1970) was a sculptor whose unique craftsmanship and designs extended to a multitude of media, with a focus in creating sculptural environments in wood. His hilltop studio and residence is now the Wharton Esherick Museum, with more than 200 of his works on exhibition. It is a National Historic Landmark for Architecture, and has been preserved much as it was when the artist lived and worked there.
Wharton Esherick is largely credited with linking the Arts and the Crafts movements, and with being the catalyst for a resurgence of furniture making post World War II.
In 2009, Wharton Esherick Museum took down a 130 year old poplar tree that stood outside of the Studio’s front door. To commemorate this significant tree, the Museum distributed pieces of the tree to over 40 artists. They created a new handmade work, which will be on display in the Poplar Culture Exhibit at Historic Yellow Springs.
Come take a tour with us! Begin the day at the Wharton Esherick Museum, receive a light catered lunch, and reconvene at Historic Yellow Springs in the afternoon to visit the Poplar Culture Exhibit. Meet some new friends with common interests, and learn a little more about our regional handmade history in PA!
Grab mom and head down to Rittenhouse Square on Friday, May 11 to May 13, 2012 to see the brand-new Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair, which circles the outside of the downtown park. Once you’re finished exploring the Guild show, head over to Penn’s Landing for the 9th annual Art Star Craft Bazaar. What a wonderful, craft-heavy weekend!
Mike, a Pennsylvania native, is a metallurgical engineer and an amateur photographer. A graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, he is the president of Opus Technologies LLC. Mike enjoys experimenting with various photographic techniques, evaluating (playing with) new equipment and writing about the technical aspects of photography. Discover his blog, etsy shop and online gallery.
