Subject is sharp while the background is blurred

[qanita92]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked but I wanted to know if a camera can automatically make the background blurry while the foreground or subject isn't? That way more attention is on the person. I hope I don't need a special editing program.

P.s. I have a Kodak V1003

 

[YEKCIM]

To do this, you need some combination of the following:

1. Longer focal length (i.e., telephoto)
2. Wide aperture (i.e., smaller "f" number)
3. Get closer to your subject

I suggest experimenting with an inanimate object around your house to see how the above impact the appearance of the image.

~YEKCIM

 

[qanita92]

To do this, you need some combination of the following:

1. Longer focal length (i.e., telephoto)
2. Wide aperture (i.e., smaller "f" number)
3. Get closer to your subject

I suggest experimenting with an inanimate object around your house to see how the above impact the appearance of the image.

~YEKCIM

I don't know much- heck I barely know anything- about photography so the first two tips are like a foreign language to me. Can you please explain?

Thank you

 

[ukcatfan]

It is almost impossible to do that with a p&s camera. A DSLR allows for a much larger aperture and therefore a much shallower depth of field. About the only way you can get it with a p&s is on a macro shot, so not with a person in the shot.

 

[ukcatfan]

To do this, you need some combination of the following:

1. Longer focal length (i.e., telephoto)
2. Wide aperture (i.e., smaller "f" number)
3. Get closer to your subject

I suggest experimenting with an inanimate object around your house to see how the above impact the appearance of the image.

~YEKCIM

I don't know much- heck I barely know anything- about photography so the first two tips are like a foreign language to me. Can you please explain?

Thank you

# 1 means to zoom in

# 2 is pretty much not going to do much for you, but try setting it to the smallest number it can go. That is probably around f/2.8 on your camera.

# 3 with the combination of getting close and zooming in, you will limit the DOF, but in order to get the background blurred on a p&s, you are not likely going to get an entire face in the shot, or so little background that it will not have the dramatic effect you are looking for.

This is one of those things where you unfortunately need a better camera o do effectively.

 

[webshark3]

There is one trick for small P&S cameras......

Put the camera in Macro mode. Get REALLY close to your subject. It may work. It may also annoy your subject.

 

[DueyDooDah]

... It may also annoy your subject.

Which may not necessarily be a bad thing, depending on your subject.