I’ve spent weekend with my family in Boston. Boston is nice city with very good food. I made only few meaningful shots but I’ve got three very different portraits.
Shallow depth of field with foreground “framing” makes this composition.
I like dramatic movement with the blur that is, probably, from slight out of focus. Actually, I have another one that is very sharp but it looks static for me.
Absolutely calm portrait in the darkish restaurant setting. It is sharp across the frame.
If you are interested in the street photography you already know basic techniques of focusing
There is no reason for me to explain concepts of Depth of Field (DOF) and hyperfocal distance in this topic. Internet and many books have plenty of useful information in any level of details.
When I use my Point&Shoot camera (Canon S90) most of the time there is no need to be concerned about focusing. This camera has such deep DOF that only very special circumstances make me think about changing my focus settings. Effectively, Point&Shoot always has hyperfocal distance or very close to it.
I don’t use hyperfocal distance with my DSLR camera unless my composition demands focus to infinity. Control of DOF with selective focusing is the basic method in the photography to direct viewer attention. As another big bonus, large aperture allows using fast shutter.
I use combination of zone focusing and autofocus. Before I make the shot, camera is always prefocused for predicted distance. If I decide to use viewfinder there is always option to use autofocus (with separate AF button). Modern lenses with quick shift make this mode of operation very convenient. My older favorites don’t have quick shift so I prefocus them pointing to some boring object. To use autofocus photographer has to understand its intricacies and limitations. Don’t focus by pointing to the smooth wall and, probably, forget about autofocus when it is dark or other special conditions. Many photographic sights are the great source of information about autofocus.
Don’t settle on one-fits-all rule. Find your own style to take your best pictures.
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I have an adva
nced compact (aka Point-and-Shoot) camera for one specific reason – I can easily keep it in my pocket. These amazingly small devices produce good image quality, if you don’t have very high expectations. I only use the RAW file format for flexibility in post processing.
My settings are all manual. It is easy to set the exposure using a live histogram. Just remember to point at the potential scene with the largest contrast. The Depth of Field (DOF) is so large that changing distance (using manual focus) is required only in very special cases.
I use a ring around the lens for changing focal length. Focal length is almost always in its widest range (28-35mm). I don’t use LCD for framing. I hold it with the LCD faced to my palm and I use my thumb to trigger.
I can have it during my walk for a lunch.
There is no danger in forgetting your camera in the restaurant after a good bottle of wine.
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Candid Street Photo 