Shallow Depth of Field "How To"

[andyapc]

I apologize in advance if these questions are on the "DUH" side but I just can't seem to get it straight.

I want to take photos where my subject is in focus and the background is not in focus (blurry). This is called shallow depth of field, right?

I'm working with a Kodak DX7590. My aperature (which is my F-stop, right?) goes from 2.8 to 8. This is the size of the opening of my lens, right?

The smaller the f-stop, the larger the opening; the larger the f-stop, the smaller the opening, right?

So, if I want a shallow depth of field (my subject is in focus against a blurry background), I'm thinking I want a small opening in my lens ... so I want a large f-stop. Is this right?

If this is right ... what should my shutter speed be at? What about my ISO? What about my exposure compensaion setting? Where do these 3 things come into play?

And, what is the difference between having my camera on manual (where it seems I can adjust all these settings) and having it on "aperature priority" or "shutter priority"?

*sigh* - I feel like learning photography is like learning euchre - no matter how many times I try to learn it, it just goes right over my head.

[Karen]

Originally Posted by andyapc

I apologize in advance if these questions are on the "DUH" side but I just can't seem to get it straight.

I want to take photos where my subject is in focus and the background is not in focus (blurry). This is called shallow depth of field, right?
Right

I'm working with a Kodak DX7590. My aperature (which is my F-stop, right?) goes from 2.8 to 8. This is the size of the opening of my lens, right?
Right again

The smaller the f-stop, the larger the opening; the larger the f-stop, the smaller the opening, right? subsitute number for f-stop and this is right

So, if I want a shallow depth of field (my subject is in focus against a blurry background), I'm thinking I want a small opening in my lens ... so I want a large f-stop. Is this right? Nope....you want a large opening for a shallow dof

If this is right ... what should my shutter speed be at? What about my ISO? What about my exposure compensaion setting? Where do these 3 things come into play? the shutter speed will depend on the amount of light if you are using aperture priority the camera will set this for you, you can set your ISO to whatever you need, if you have good light then use 100 if there is low light then bump it up to 400 or even 800, again exposure compensation depends on the light, take a photo look at your histogram under or over exposed change the setting to fit.

And, what is the difference between having my camera on manual (where it seems I can adjust all these settings) and having it on "aperature priority" or "shutter priority"?
I would start off by using Aperture priority for taking portraits this way you decide how much of the subject you want in focus and set it accordingly.
Shutter speed can be used when you are shooting sports or action photos and you need a fast shutter speed to freeze everything.
Manual.....well you can use that when you are accomplished wtih the other two modes and want total control I only use full manual when I'm in the studio, mostly I sit on aperture priority especially for portraits

*sigh* - I feel like learning photography is like learning euchre - no matter how many times I try to learn it, it just goes right over my head.

You will get there Andy its just a matter of practicing and checking your settings, when you find a result you like look at your settings and see what you used to create it and take it from there

[Jennifer]

Karen now this post right here should be stickied as this is EXACTLY the thing people struggle with and ask over and over and over and until it 'clicks' you just have to keep reading it. KUDO'S on the best post of the day!!!

[Audrey]

Good questions & great answers Karen! Like Jennifer said, this is something people struggle with all the time, myself included! It took me a long time to *get it*, but with perseverence & practice, it's finally clicking.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by andyapc

*sigh* - I feel like learning photography is like learning euchre - no matter how many times I try to learn it, it just goes right over my head.

That's so funny, Andy! I remember learning euchre and you are sooooo right!! Don't even ask how long it took me to learn euchre, but now I love playing it! Same with photography, although I did love that all along, just took a long time for some things to sink in.

[andyapc]

OK - whew. Thank you so much! I had no idea that aperature priority was "easier" (for lack of a better word) than manual.

I'm off to play!

Thank you again!

[Cynnder]

agreed..this should be stickied!

[Tina]

I "stuck" it

[Colina]

Great answers - as previously said, these seem to be the questions I have to keep going back and revisiting if I don't use my camera every day. I guess that's why everyone says, practice, practice, practice - so these settings will become second nature.

Thanks for taking to time to educate us newbies, it's much appreciated!!

Colina

[andyapc]

*gasp* - I've never been "stuck" and had it be a good thing before!

[Karen]

thanks Tina for 'stucking' Andy lol

[Clark2006]

lol

[Easily confused]

GASP, Karen you are my new hero. I have been trying to figure out the manual mode and am now going to skip the brain strain on that for a while. I think instead of stickying this thread I may just get the tatoo!

[sands_healy]

Thanks to Andy for asking this question, to Karen for answering it so expertly and in a language I can understand, and to the rest of you who decided to "sticky" it.......

[sands_healy]

Thanks to Andy for asking this question, to Karen for answering it so expertly and in a language I can understand, and to the rest of you who decided to "sticky" it.......