I didn't realize just how accustomed I've become to shooting wide until I started experimenting for this. It was down right tough to avoid f4.5 and only shoot in f8, which BTW is the smallest aperture on my camera. However I found it to be a good change from my usual shooting. :)
I experimented with a number of subjects, but in the end I like this one best. This is a feather from one of our ducks which I laid on an old log.
Olympus SP-550 UZ
f8.0 @ 1/50, ISO 100
Aperture priority mode, pattern metering, cloudy WB
Processed in PS CS; cropped, curves adjustment, and some selective sharpening
Hey Chris, we're thinking the same, I shot a turkey feather in a birch tree this morning at f/32. I find it easier to shoot stopped down and I get a higher percentage of successful images. I do a field workshop where all we shoot is stiopped down all the way and I find or create all kind of interesting stuff. Good job here with the feather, the tree truck makes a nice BG.
Hey Christopher,
Pretty good for f8! I'm with Mike on this one.....I go for the huge DOF because it becomes easier.....get it all in! I like you thought process here with the BG and the framing..... nicely done!
I love the framing as well. I wish the tree had more depth to it - maybe some dodging and burning to create even more impact against the feather would create an even stronger composition. I know what you mean about how hard this is...I really struggled with it!
Thanks everyone for the comments! Once I forced myself to stop down, I actually found it be a lot of fun and I think I'll try stopping down more often in the future.