CS #647 - Stop It Down

[acnomad]

With all the buzz in the photography world lately over killer bokeh, I thought it would be a fun exercise to go in the opposite direction. Let's "Stop It Down" for a week. Two readily achievable benefits of using a smaller aperture will come as no surprise to most:

• Maximize sharpness
• Increase depth of field

Here are some examples of some other interesting effects of squeezing the light...

1. Diffraction of bright lights (20mm, f/16, 10")

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

2. Same idea in daylight (12mm, f/11, 1/10")

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

2a. Or you can use obstructions to increase the diffraction effect (20mm, f/11, 1/25")

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

3. Crush a busy background into blackness (85mm, f/16, 1/160", 2 small speedlights)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

4. Blur the movement of water (55mm, f/16, 1/15")

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

I look forward to seeing your images!

 

[NEF Said]

With all the buzz in the photography world lately over killer bokeh, I thought it would be a fun exercise to go in the opposite direction. Let's "Stop It Down" for a week. Two readily achievable benefits of using a smaller aperture will come as no surprise to most:

• Maximize sharpness
• Increase depth of field

Here are some examples of some other interesting effects of squeezing the light...

1. Diffraction of bright lights (20mm, f/16, 10")
View attachment 1635538

2. Same idea in daylight (12mm, f/11, 1/10")
View attachment 1635543

3. Crush a busy background into blackness (85mm, f/16, 1/160", 2 small speedlights)
View attachment 1635539

4. Blur the movement of water (55mm, f/16, 1/15")
View attachment 1635542

I look forward to seeing your images!

Interesting theme and something that will be great to work on (especially darkening the background, which I haven't tried).

 

[fishbio]

I'm sure you realize that stopping down too far results in less, not more sharpness.

 

[acnomad]

Interesting theme and something that will be great to work on (especially darkening the background, which I haven't tried).

Good luck!

 

[acnomad]

I'm sure you realize that stopping down too far results in less, not more sharpness.

Indeed! Thanks for stating it plainly for all.

 

[Pa]

I'm sure you realize that stopping down too far

...beyond the lens "sweet spot"...

results in less, not more sharpness.

 

[fishbio]

...beyond the lens "sweet spot"...

What is "the" sweet spot? sharpest center? sharpest corners? best balance of center and corners? Compromises everywhere and a different sweet spot for each situation.

 

[Pa]

What is "the" sweet spot? sharpest center? sharpest corners? best balance of center and corners? Compromises everywhere and a different sweet spot for each situation.

I agree there is no unique sweet spot, but generally lens performance increases from maximum aperture to some best area, and then diminishes as the aperture is stopped further down due to diffraction.

But let's not get into an argument so early in this week's theme.

 

[acnomad]

I just added one more diffraction example to the OP.

 

[West]

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[acnomad]

View attachment 1635563

Very strong image. I like how you've combined the small f/stop with a relatively close working distance to create a nice leading line. The eye is drawn from pawn to pawn, with each piece growing sharper finally rewarding the viewer with the nicely lit knight.

 

[Pa]

f/16 was required to get most of these tiny hepatica blossoms in focus...

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[acnomad]

f/16 was required to get most of these tiny hepatica blossoms in focus...

View attachment 1635574​

Excellent choices of both aperture setting and subject matter. I’ve only been a Cafe member for a short time, but long enough to know that you can find flowers to photograph beautifully.

 

[Pa]

Excellent choices of both aperture setting and subject matter. I’ve only been a Cafe member for a short time, but long enough to know that you can find flowers to photograph beautifully.

Thanks, Andy. I don't usually go smaller than f/11, but for this occasion, I sacrificed.

 

[rick_reno]

f/13 - hard to find one at this aperture, I rarely go past f/11. D800, 105mm lens.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Pa]

f/13 - hard to find one at this aperture, I rarely go past f/11. D800, 105mm lens. View attachment 1635607

Wow, that looks like Autumn colors. At this time of year?

Interesting patterns and composition, however.

 

[acnomad]

f/13 - hard to find one at this aperture, I rarely go past f/11. D800, 105mm lens. View attachment 1635607

The intricacies of contrasting colors and patterns are very engaging. Reminds me of October. Nice find!

 

[acnomad]

Here are two examples from yesterday of a technique that benefits from increased depth of field, and one that I'm desperately trying to improve - panning.

1. 43mm, f/14, 1/25"

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

2. 70mm, f/13, 1/60"

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

These are obviously practice shots. For much better examples of panning technique on faster and more unique motorized subjects, take a look at some of the work by @ijm5012 - it is quite excellent.

 

[ijm5012]

@acnomad , panning takes practice. When I first get to the track, I'm not shooting at 1/25. I'll start out at something like 1/125, and as I get acclimated I'll start slowing the shutter speed down. Even then, I still get a ton a junk. But when you get that sharp shot at 1/10 where the background is a complete blur? It makes it all worth it IMO.

 

[rick_reno]

Wow, that looks like Autumn colors. At this time of year?

Interesting patterns and composition, however.

It’s a spring photo.