Portfolio

Focus
Portfolio of Focus images

After deciding that I am going to use one of the two images outlined in my last post for my final 8 I feel that I needed a contrasting image that still portrays the use of focus well.

Since the last photos were still life's using natural light, I thought I would get a contrasting photograph by using controlled circumstances at home or in the studio.

note: all these images were taken using an aperture range of f/1.8 - f/5.6 to create a shallow depth of field and exaggerate the use of focus.


At first I thought this photo was rather good, but as I took more and more photos in the session I feel that it is only average, the composition is lacking, the background is too distracting, shadows are visible and they also distract the viewer. On top of all, the focus doesn't seem to be exaggerated enough, there is no clear focal point. But at least it was a start.



I feel this photo works much better than the last, but I still don't think I'm quite there yet. The focus is way over the top, with only the closest part of the lily plant in focus.

The Good

• Composition
• Exaggeration of Focus

The Bad

• Exaggeration of Focus(yes I know, it's good and bad on different levels.)
• Poorly lit

I think this photo is a good demonstration of focus, but it still has it's downfalls, whilst the background is nice and soft due to the focus I feel that it is still distracting due to the colours and shapes it holds. The overall colour of the image does not compliment the Lily in the way that I would like it to.


Now we're getting there. I love the effect the focus gives in this image. the front half of the first Lily is in focus, from there it gradually fades off, there is also another Lily bud out of focus which helps pull attention to the main focal point of the photo. The only downfall I feel there is to this image is the composition.

All the above images were taken in my flat, this is the cause of the slightly poor lighting. The next set of photos were taken in the studio, this gave me much more flexibility and I am almost sure I will be able to pick a final 8 image from this selection.


I am rather intrigued by the viewpoint of this image, could be an idea to throw it into the viewpoint portfolio despite the fact I was photographing with focus in mind. I decided to keep the closest part of the petals of the Gerbera in focus for this photograph as I thought the viewer would follow the stem upwards to the end of the petals, but as I am looking at it now my eyes start at the end of the petals and then I'm pulled in towards the stem, which is no good since I can't really allow a focal point of the image to be out of focus which I think I have done here. Despite that I think I did a good job of the composition and lighting.


As you already know, I am quite a fan of exaggerated focus, this picture strongly reflects on my opinions due to the fact that only half of the flower is in focus, the composition is slightly off and I think the background is slightly too distracting with it's undecided colours. If I can perfect this photograph I think I may be onto the second choice for focus.


This is the photograph that I have arrived at, I took the basic ideas of the last photo but in this one I feel that I have improved on the focus, composition and it would be hard to disagree that the background in this photo is less distracting than the last.