Assignment: Creative Controls

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Make 72 Photos in Total

Depth of Field + Motion

Make at least 72 photos (36 photos for summer class) that use depth of field and/or motion in interesting ways. 

Consider how you may want the motion of water or people or animals to look in a photo, or how you might want to frame something in the landscape. Sharp/Frozen objects are about description, objects in motion or out of focus are about impressions. Sharp/Frozen objects with an unsharp background are seen are seen as being the most important in the photo, objects equally sharp and clear to the rest of the scene are seen as part of an overall description of a place.

See DOF videos in links below:

See Motion video in links below:

DOF Notes:

For shallow depth of field try focusing on something close to the camera
Also use wider apertures ie. 2.8, 4 (compensate with faster shutter speeds)
Don’t forget to make equivalent exposures


Also for shallow DOF, if you can not open your lens all the way because it is too bright outside, try photographing on overcast days, or in shadow, or during twilight hours

Deep Depth of Field requires a deep space such as a landscape in order for the effect to be highlighted.

F2.8, 4.0 – shallow DOF – you will need faster shutter speeds to compensate for exposure

F11, 16, 22 – deep DOF – you will need slower shutter speeds to compensate for exposure

MOTION Notes:

Make photos showing frozen motion and different photos showing motion blur. These photos are not meant to be “before and after” photos. Don’t photograph the same subject matter for motion and frozen motion unless the subject matter is consistent like a waterfall.

Use faster shutter speeds (500 or greater) to freeze motion

Use slower shutter speeds (30 or less) to show blur
– If you need slower shutter speeds, see if you can stabilize your camera with a tripod or maybe a tall stool, your car, etc.

More Notes:

  • Don’t forget to make equivalent exposure adjustments
  • The frozen subject matter should look like it was actually moving.  It’s okay if there is a little blur
  • No cars or buses.  Trains are okay and motorcycles are okay if you know the person riding and can make some photos with them.  Think about water and other naturally moving things
  • If people are jumping or on swings, make sure you don’t shoot them at the bottom or top of their motion, because at that point they are not actually moving