Daniela on "Selective focus"

Daniela — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:29:03 +0000

Okay, thanks to both. I'll do a little test to see if I understood.

Evita on "Selective focus"

Evita — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:24:34 +0000

The key point to selective focusing is a limited depth of field, which is influenced by the aperture settings and the magnification factor, the latter being influenced in turn by subject distance and focal length.
In plainer words, the wider the aperture and the bigger the subject appears on your focusing screen, the shallower the depth of field and as a result the more evident the difference between in-focus and out-of-focus areas. That is the way to selective focusing.

How to accomplish this in automatic cameras may differ from device to device. Mind that automatic cameras often still have some manual or semi-manual modes.
As also Andrea suggested, give a look at you camera handbook. And please post here again when in doubt.

Andrea Sullach on "Selective focus"

Andrea Sullach — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:19:34 +0000

I'm not sure I understand you question. A few general points:

a) As a rule, pressing the shutter button halfway triggers the autofocus. Once the focus is set, feel free to move your camera before releasing the shutter.

b) The less light available, the more the lens will be set to a wide aperture, thus allowing for a wider out of focus area and enhancing selective focusing.

c) Most cameras have special scene modes which help you in obtaining specific results. As a start, please look for a pictograph similar to this one, which should be available on most cameras:

d) Do not forget to study you camera manual ;-)

Andrea Sullach on "Bokeh"

Andrea Sullach — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:59:52 +0000

It is a rather recent term, introduced some ten years ago by adapting and transliterating the Japanese word ぼけ meaning blur. Not that there was a real need for such a new word: it just refers to the out of focus area of the image. Nothing more. Apparently though, most people has started paying attention to such areas just after a specific word was created for them. Which sounds odd :-)

Angelina on "Bokeh"

Angelina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:12:21 +0000

What does the word Bokeh mean? I read it many times but cannot really understand it.
It is not English, is it?

Daniela on "Selective focus"

Daniela — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:56:42 +0000

How do I focus on a subject in the foreground and blur the background with an automatic camera?