Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Friends and Selective Focus


Have you ever had a song go through your head. over and over again? Well this one has been in my head for about 3 days straight. Weird, isn't it? But it is a sweet one. It is the theme song for "Golden Girls".

"Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant.

And if you through a party
Invited everyone you ever knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend."


 I have been working on my selective focus after a tutorial from my friend, Betty John. You can find her here:








She also led me to Amanda Padgett's site; Everyday Elements. She has an excellent tutorial on Focus. She really explains everything so clearly. She doesn't leave out details, as I am wont to do. :o)




So, armed with new knowledge, I took some photos right in my yard, to practice.
One thing I learned is that in order to get the bokeh in the shot along with selective focus, you have to make sure that you have a fairly wide aperture. In my case, I was using my 50mm. The widest aperture is 1.8. But that is not the "sweet spot". It actually does better up to 4.0 for bokeh.
 








Well, I would love your thoughts on these photos. Am I on the right track?

Think I will head over to Smith-Gilbert Gardens tomorrow to really give it a test.

All the best to you, my blogging friends!

♥charlotte

10 comments:

Barbara said...

Thanks for the tips! I have so much to learn!!

Nancy said...

These are beautiful. You must have learned well! :)

Rosemary Aubut said...

Thank you Charlotte, how beautiful. I adore bokeh shots and you have learned well. Can't wait to see your new ones!

hootnonny said...

Excellent work Charlotte! Amanda taught you well. I'd like to know the Aperture of each photo.

And thanks for the shout-out. I even had a visitor from your blog. And I wonder which of the four I remind you of. Hope it's not Blanche! :-)

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous, truly gorgeous! Thank you so much for swinging by & commenting... you said I was good? Oh girl, yours are much better... I love these!!! I think I've just gotten lucky w/ my few shots... but I'm learning & that's actually where a lot of the fun lies! =)

Thanks again =)

Gail Dixon said...

You're a very good student, Charlotte! These are wonderful. I have been using selective focus for a while, but just lately experimenting more with my aperture. I think I was shooting too wide open, so like you, I have been trying to find the sweet spot. The jury's still out because it's really been too hot to shoot, but I'm sure I'll get my mojo back soon. :)

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Hello from one Ga gal to another. I hope you are staying cool. I found your blog via Lemmon Lane Cottage. I hope you dont mind if I kick my shoes off and visit some. I see you have quite the eye for photography. Thanks for the link lesson, I can sure use some help if its told in a way my simple mind can understand.

Boy, your white Wednesday on July 13 are out of site! I am blown away by your talent.

GOD bless your day and stay cool.

Connie Smiley said...

These are lovely, and the rose is my favorite.

Kim, USA said...

Love your photos!! That selective focus is awesome. Wish I could learn more on photography too ^_^ Thanks for the visit I do appreciate it!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work! I love your very first flower shot up above... without the texture applied. I think it really shines! The pink flower is lovely as well, and the texture on that very first photo in the post is wonderful!