p31 - focal lengths #1

I chose a scene from our garden so I can revisit it as necessary. The subject of interest in the plant pot.

I used a 27-105mm lens, starting at the 27mm end and using the entire 105mm's available for the last shot.

Contrary to the guidance in the notes, I changed my position for the last two shot. I intend to re-visit this post with a wider range of focal lengths and a single viewing position.

The first image shows the pot in context. Although the outline of the building is not visible, the scene is unremarkable.

The second image, taking at ~50mm starts, limits the field of view although the main elements of the original image are still clear; a brick building, tiled roof with ramshackled door and a plant pot. The composition is poor and doesn't follow conventional rules of thirds and the eye is left with no clear focal point, although there is some diagonal balance between the pot and the door handle.

The third image gets closer still. The only element of the previous image which is missing is the tiled roof, and yet the character of the building remains apparent. The bricklines lead the eye away from the pot and towards the door. This is balanced to some degree by the pot, but the image remains awkward with no clear focus.

The last image focusses rightly on the pot at the expense of other elements. Hence, the building is not recognisable anymore and we're left with a pot with a few weeds growing from it. On a technical note, the limited depth of field is also apparent, with only a narrow band of the pot being in focus.

Of the four images, I originally preferred the third shot, capturing as it does the main subject, the pot, whilst retaining the context. On reflection, the composition is wrong for the reasons given.

On balance, the last image focusses attention on the subject to make a stronger image without distractions and places the rim of the pot at the golden triangle with the cuvature of the side leading the eye towards it.

I don't think any of the images adequately capture the character of the scene. This is a subject I've been trying to capture for some time, and I remain unsatisfied with what I've achieved so far.