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Between the Lines

© Kristin Duff

Between the Lines

Uploaded: February 25, 2013

Description

Exif: F Number: 13, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/5 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Kristin Duff February 27, 2013

Well it took awhile but I finally got it posted! #1516802

Stephen Shoff February 27, 2013

There's that wonderful picture! I was waiting for you to get it back. I think its great. The tones are wonderful. And the shallow DOF and sharp water drops in the center vertical are very strong.

The only conflict I see is the sharp detail in the lower right where the water drops again fall into the plane of focus. My impressions is that since that sharp detail is way out at the edge of the frame, it is competing with the primary focal point rather than supporting it. The only suggestion I have, which I don't really like, would be to eliminate that 2nd area of sharp focus by cropping it out with a 4:5 crop.

Alternatively, a vertical crop that focuses on the two opposing but equally sharp petal edges might also make a strong composition.

As an "in hindsight, what might I have done differently" observation, I think that you might have been able to select that slightly diagonal line bordered by 2 parallel lines of water drops as your primary element with sharp focus and very shallow DOF in a vertical composition. I think that might have been equally as compelling as this image. #10589089

Usman M. Bajwa level-classic February 27, 2013

Wonderful colors and a refreshing feel to the image, Kristin. However, I also see some over-sharpening in the left foreground droplets.

UB. #10589100

lisa anderson February 28, 2013

Kristin, I think you did a great job composing this image. I love the green and the petals on the left. Thanks for re-posting! #10590138

Elaine Hessler February 28, 2013

I agree with the above. I think it is beautiful, though! Just curious, what was your f stop and focal length? I am struggling with these types of images. Sometimes I think a large aperture would work great, but it ends up being very difficult to get what I want in focus.... #10590279

Dale Hardin February 28, 2013

I like it. Lovely colors, nice focus, good composition, and just plain pretty. #10590297

Jeff E Jensen February 28, 2013

I don't like this even one bit. Just makes me want spring to get here quicker. Doesn't help that I spent a couple of days in California this week and then had to come home to the 2 feet of snow in my yard.

Well, I actually really like this, but still wish spring would hurry up and come! #10590312

Kristin Duff February 28, 2013

Hi everyone and thank you. Jeff you had me kinda worried there for a second! but I get it....@Elaine...this was taken with a macro lens and I believe I had an extension tube on it. ISO 100, f13, for 1/5 of a second. @Usman, I see what you see but when I checked the processing there was no sharpening done. Those highlights are the reflections in the water droplets I guess? #10590441

Teresa H. Hunt February 28, 2013

Oh so pretty!!! Now I can't wait for out tulip fields!! #10590578

Elaine Hessler March 01, 2013

Trying to learn here. What type of macro lens and extension tube? What does this do for you? Does it change the focal length of the lens? (Is this a new gadget I should look into?) #10592009

Kristin Duff March 01, 2013

Macro lens is the Canon 100mm 2.8.which takes close ups. Extension tubes are hollow tubes placed between the lens and the body so you can focus even closer. This is my highly technical answer as I am still a newbie too! #10592290

Jeff E Jensen March 03, 2013

Elaine - extension tubes do exactly what Kristin said, they allow you to get in even closer to your subject by altering the minimum focusing distance of your lens. There are several advantages to them: 1 - they contain no glass, so they do not degrade your image quality, 2 - they can be used on any lens (not just a macro lens), effectively allowing you to use what you have as a macro lens, 3 - They are much cheaper than buying a macro lens and are a good way to get your feet wet in the world of macro. There are generally two different types of tubes, those that have no electronic connections and those that do. You will pay more for the electronic versions, but it is well worth it. With these, the connections from your body to your lens are maintained. With the non-electronic, your lens becomes a completely manual lens. You can typically find 3 different lengths of tubes, usually 12mm, 20mm, and 35mm. The different lengths allow you to get in even closer. You can also stack them in any combination. There is a bit of a learning curve to these. It will take some time and practice to figure out which lengths work on which lenses and in which situations. Be patient, it is worth it. I bough my set of three Kenko tubes from B&H for ~$150 several years ago. They work really well and I use them fairly often. When I travel for work, I only take one lens with me, so I always throw an extension tube in the bag so that I have macro capabilities if needed. A while back, I did a blog post about using tubes and what they do to depth of field. Check it out:

http://jeffejensen.blogspot.com/2011/01/depth-of-field-exercise.html
#10594439

Kristin Duff March 03, 2013

Thanks Jeff...that is a much more professional answer! #10595198

Teresa H. Hunt March 03, 2013

I wish I'd sprung for the extension tubes with the electronic connections. #10595461

Elaine Hessler March 04, 2013

Thx for the explanation! I will read your blog, much appreciated! #10595781

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