Storytelling using the magic of depth of field

Using depth of field to tell a story

Many photographers have a favorite aperture. Mine is f/2.8. Why? Because it allows me to tell a story…

Image: Brit Hammer. Shot at f/2.8 using Sony RX-100 mkIII

Image: Brit Hammer. Shot at f/2.8 using Sony RX-100 mkIII

 

Do your eyes go first to the plants in the foreground, then to the person standing in the blurry background? Do you wonder what that figure is looking at?

Using a shallow depth of field (DOF) is one way you can tell a story.

How, you ask? A shallow DOF allows you to have a primary subject in the foreground and a secondary subject in the background. By alluding to a secondary subject, shown blurry in the background, you engage the viewer and get them wondering about what the story might be.

In these examples the figures are looking away from the camera, but what if they were doing something, such as walking toward the camera or perhaps holding something?

This week, experiment with having a secondary subject blurry in the background. Play with the idea and see what stories you can tell!

If you shoot cityscapes, try putting a primary subject in focus in the foreground with the cityscape acting as the secondary subject in your background. In the below example, the LCD of my camera is my primary subject, and the NYC skyline forms the background.

 

Image: Brit Hammer. Shot at f/2.8 (-2.3 EV) with Sony RX-100 mkIII

 

Telling a story can be done in a single image…or in a combination of images. It’s up to you!

Images: Brit Hammer

 

The above post is excerpted from Photography Essentials taught by Brit Hammer.

 


Instructor: Brit Hammer

Are your shots inconsistent? Or have you gotten bored with your photography? Join Brit’s Photography Essentials class (or any of her three other courses here at BPSOP, for that matter!) Brit explains everything simply and clearly.

Even if you’ve been photographing for a while, Photography Essentials will help you get great shots consistently.

All of Brit’s classes are easy and fun. So if your friends or family enjoy photography, have them sign up with you!

 

 

SIGN UP NOW FOR BRIT’S CLASSES

Photography Essentials

Amazing Travel Photos Made Easy

Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images Part 1

Celebrate Your Life in Beautiful Images Part 2

No post processing skills necessary for any of Brit’s courses.

 


What students say about Brit’s teaching:

“I’ve taken many classes. With the way Brit taught and explained things, I finally said, ‘I get it’. She made me enjoy taking photographs.”

“[Brit’s course] made me feel more self-confident about my own personal style and has helped me go beyond my limits.”

“My camera is no longer a mystery. I can work quickly and produce images that express the vitality and spirit of my work. ”


“I just wanted to thank you for another wonderful class. I have to confess that each week when I read the new assignment, my first reaction was mild panic and a deep certainty that I would not be able to produce anything worthwhile that fit within the parameters you had set. But before I knew it, the ideas started to flow, and I quickly became obsessed (no, that isn’t too strong a word!) with exploring the possibilities. I can honestly say that the photos I produced in response to your assignments are among my favorites. Thanks for bringing out a creative side I didn’t know I had!”

Barbara Geiger
Understanding Color

“Thank you so very much for this course! It’s allowed me to take the blinders off and present my images for what I want them to be without being a slave to the “reality” of the camera. I would also add that in conjunction with your printing course, this has been the most useful course I’ve ever taken. Your notes are more than comprehensive and your comments and critiques are direct, clear, and always directed to the improvement of the art.”

Bill
After the click

” I want to thank you for this class and for your patience and availability to answer all of my questions. I have learned very much through this class. I have used LR in the past, but mostly for editing images. I now have a better grasp in the organization of my images, an even better understanding of editing images, and an understanding of the value of presets. I still have a lot to learn, but this has put me on the road to be able to improve my photography. Again, thank you! ”

Dale Yates
Lightroom Quickstart

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