Further camera tips
Mark Mazer (Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:59:08 PST)
Another technique that can be very helpful on occasion is to open the diaphragm
of your lens to the maximum aperture. This beshallows the depth of field,
throwing the background out of focus and emphasizing the subject. If you use
this technique, be sure that the camera's autofocus system is focussing on the
subject, however. Using a wide aperture also gives shorter exposure times and
can help reduce movement due to wind.
My suggestion is to print out and learn to use a depth of field chart for each of your lens/camera combinations and to ditch the autofocus feature entirely and use manual focus setting.
There are very few digital cameras or lenses that will render true blue well out of the box, and that will also change as the quality of light changes. Digital darkroom techniques are mandatory for high quality print work.
Mark Mazer
Hertford, North Carolina USA