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November 19, 2001

We took another unusual look at Depth of Field, complements of Harold Merklinger. 

We explored a technique for simulating a graduated neutral density filter in long exposures by simulating a technique similar to dodging and burning in the dark room. By moving a black card up and down in front of the lens during an exposure you can cut donw on the light coming from that part of the scene. You have to look through the viewfinder to get a sense of where to move the black card before tripping the shutter.

Via slides from White Sands, New Mexico, Rocky Mountain National Park and Yosemite National Park, we explored lighting and composition. The winter scenes allowed us to look at ways to make winter shots more interesting.

Next we looked at ways to phtograph spiders and insects.

For our in class assignment we compared standard hyperfocal distance depth of field technique with Merklinger's recommendations. With a 28 mm wide angle lens set at f/22, we took two photos, one focused at infinity (ala Merklinger) and one focused at 5 feet (the hyperfocal distance). When we get the slides back we can compare the two.

We also tried the black card technique for holding back light from a lighter part of a scene.

After our photographic break, we reviewed student work and finally got kicked out for staying too late.

Assignments

There is a wonderful moon out this week which you can put in some kind of nice wide-angle late evening scene with a single exposure. The moon will be small. Or you can shoot an evening scene without the moon and add it with a longer lens via double exposure.

If we get some snow, try a photograph when there is interesting light. Meter the snow and add one or two stops of light (add less light if you are shooting early or late in the day).

Nov 20, 2001

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