Close up question - The DIS Discussion Forums

crocko · 08-31-2009, 04:18 PM

Okay...I thought I knew how to take this kind of picture, but apparently I've forgotten.

Let's say I have a close object. I want to focus in on it and would like the background of the picture to appears fuzzy/blurred. What kind of camera settings/changes do I need to make?

VVFF · 08-31-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocko

Okay...I thought I knew how to take this kind of picture, but apparently I've forgotten.

Let's say I have a close object. I want to focus in on it and would like the background of the picture to appears fuzzy/blurred. What kind of camera settings/changes do I need to make?

Depends how close you want to get. However, my best guess of what your asking for would be a long focal length macro lens with a low aperture.

crocko · 08-31-2009, 04:47 PM

I'm a bit of a newbie. What would be an example of a low aperture number and a high aperture?

waytoomanywebkinz · 08-31-2009, 04:47 PM

someone will be along with a better, more technical explanation - but I'll give it a shot! You need to change the aperture - so that the number is smaller - the smaller the number, the more blurry the background.

waytoomanywebkinz · 08-31-2009, 04:48 PM

if the aperture is 1.8 - that will give you a much blurrier background than 8.0 - and 23 will be much clearer than the 8.0. So the lower the number - the blurrier the background.

VVFF · 08-31-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocko

I'm a bit of a newbie. What would be an example of a low aperture number and a high aperture?

Can you tell us exactly how close you mean by "close"? Also, what brand camera do you have?

Pea-n-Me · 08-31-2009, 06:58 PM

You are talking about shallow depth of field.

If you are using a point and shoot or bridge camera, you can use aperture priority and the largest aperture (smallest number) possible. Or you can use portrait mode to get a similar effect. This type of camera may be limited in how much background is out of focus as the aperture only goes so wide.

If you're using a dSLR, you can also use aperture priority and your largest aperture, ie lowest number. Or you can use portrait mode also. Depending on the lens you use, you can get a very dramatic shallow depth of field as you may be able to go very wide open.

jann1033 · 09-03-2009, 12:15 AM

if you have programs or scenes or some such presets on your camera dial use the macro/close up or portrait settings. i think the macro if you have one will be sharper since sometimes the portrait settings add a little softness to hide the imperfections.
if you want to manually set the aperture it also depends on how close the background is to the object.
if you are taking say a closeup of a flower or some thing i wouldn't go lower that f4 or so...if you go to someplace like f1.8 or even 2.8 the whole thing probably won't be in focus. try a couple out. sometimes even at f5.6-f6 if the background isn't right next to the object it might be out of focus enough . that way the whole object will be in focus. if you can move the object, put it farther away from the background

08-31-2009, 04:18 PM	#1
crocko Disney Family Trip - Sep. 17-26, 2009 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 853	Close up question Okay...I thought I knew how to take this kind of picture, but apparently I've forgotten. Let's say I have a close object. I want to focus in on it and would like the background of the picture to appears fuzzy/blurred. What kind of camera settings/changes do I need to make? __________________ The Books Kids Love to Read 9/17-9/26 2009 WDW Pre-Trip Report 9/17-9/26 2009 WDW TRIP REPORT I've been Boo'd by chicagoshannon

08-31-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
crocko Disney Family Trip - Sep. 17-26, 2009 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moore, OK Posts: 853	I'm a bit of a newbie. What would be an example of a low aperture number and a high aperture? __________________ The Books Kids Love to Read 9/17-9/26 2009 WDW Pre-Trip Report 9/17-9/26 2009 WDW TRIP REPORT I've been Boo'd by chicagoshannon

08-31-2009, 06:58 PM	#7
Pea-n-Me Survivor Call me crazy but I prefer the single bath Nothing beats the Magic of a Disney Resort! Will DIS from the Potty Alice, how's it hanging? Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southeastern Coast of Massachusetts Posts: 13,006	You are talking about shallow depth of field. If you are using a point and shoot or bridge camera, you can use aperture priority and the largest aperture (smallest number) possible. Or you can use portrait mode to get a similar effect. This type of camera may be limited in how much background is out of focus as the aperture only goes so wide. If you're using a dSLR, you can also use aperture priority and your largest aperture, ie lowest number. Or you can use portrait mode also. Depending on the lens you use, you can get a very dramatic shallow depth of field as you may be able to go very wide open. __________________ All Star Music 2001/Polynesian Lagoon View Concierge 2002/Contemporary 2003/Disney Wonder 2003/Yacht Club and Disney Wonder 2004/Pop Century 2005/Dolphin and Pop Century MNSSHP 2005/Disney Magic and Pop Century 2006/Coronado Springs MNSSHP 2006/Dolphin and Disney Wonder 2007/Port Orleans Riverside 2008/Caribbean Beach 2009/Disney Magic 2010

09-03-2009, 12:15 AM	#8
jann1033 Right now I'm an inch of natural and a foot of unnatural The time has come to break out of my mold Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,585	if you have programs or scenes or some such presets on your camera dial use the macro/close up or portrait settings. i think the macro if you have one will be sharper since sometimes the portrait settings add a little softness to hide the imperfections. if you want to manually set the aperture it also depends on how close the background is to the object. if you are taking say a closeup of a flower or some thing i wouldn't go lower that f4 or so...if you go to someplace like f1.8 or even 2.8 the whole thing probably won't be in focus. try a couple out. sometimes even at f5.6-f6 if the background isn't right next to the object it might be out of focus enough . that way the whole object will be in focus. if you can move the object, put it farther away from the background __________________ I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work.” Thomas Alva Edison The Poetry of Light website

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08-31-2009, 04:47 PM	#4
waytoomanywebkinz Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	someone will be along with a better, more technical explanation - but I'll give it a shot! You need to change the aperture - so that the number is smaller - the smaller the number, the more blurry the background.

08-31-2009, 04:48 PM	#5
waytoomanywebkinz Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	if the aperture is 1.8 - that will give you a much blurrier background than 8.0 - and 23 will be much clearer than the 8.0. So the lower the number - the blurrier the background.

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