About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, February 05, 2012

D is for DIGITAL, DEPTH OF FIELD, and DPI

A digital camera is one that captures the photo not on film, but in an electronic imaging sensor that takes the place of film. I purchased my first digital camera in the spring of 2006 and was absolutely thrilled with it. Taking it with me to Italy for a month that fall, I captured lots of great shots, one of which actually came in 3rd place in a recent challenge on Red Bubble.

My next digital camera was an income tax return gift to myself about a year ago. Funnily enough, even though it's a better camera, it was about $200 cheaper than the first one! With this new one, I can do so much more and have learned ooDles more about taking proper photographs. To be honest and direct, I don't understand how to set the depth of field on my own camera very well because it's not a manual camera. I have to determine it by trying different shots of the same thing and then checking to see how the photos turn out.

Depth of field refers to the range of distance that appears acceptably sharp. It varies depending on camera type, aperture and focusing distance, although print size and viewing distance can also influence our perception of depth of field. (from http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm) For example, the higher the f-stop number, the clearer the image. Below, the photo on the left was set at f/8.0 while the one at the right was at f/2.8.













Here are a few of my own shots that show what is in focus and what is not in focus.
Notice that I wanted to show the two-toned maple leaf and focused on it, causing the background to blur out. And in the next shot, I wanted the heron to stand out, but I mistakenly made the grassy reeds clear and blurred the heron.

Ah well, we learn by making mistakes in all things photographic. The last detail about digital cameras I wanted to define for you is DPI, which means "dots per inch." This measures the resolution of the image - the higher the number the greater the resolution. I have found that my camera seems to have an "automatic" setting and when I upload my photos, I change the resolution to 300 dpi. Take a look at the following photos of a yellow dahlia. On the left, the resolution is at 96dpi and the one on the right is changed to 300dpi. Click on the photos to view them larger. I hope you see how the one on the right is a sharper image.











D
eepest regards to Denise Nesbitt, our dynamic leader who continues to lead the charge every week for ABC Wednesday! She and her daffy but dapper, dashing and dependable group of assistants diligently diverge from their daily lives to visit all the participants and leave a short, delightful note of admiration. Please join us by clicking here! It's quick and easy and we'd love for you to be part of the group.

26 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

I DEFER to your wisdom on this.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Powell River Books said...

I love photography, but I know very little about cameras. My cameras are all point and shoot. - Margy

Reader Wil said...

My camera is also point and shoot. I like the size of it. It's as small as a box of cigarettes. I bought it in Sydney in February 2005.
Thanks for your visit and congratulations.
Wil, ABC Wednesday team.

Jane and Chris said...

I'm trying to learn all this...will there be a quiz on Q week ?
Jane x

photowannabe said...

Oh, if my brain could remember all of this!
I try but it does seem to be a lost cause.
I am enjoying the camera theme this go around.
Keep up the good work.

Carol said...

Good info....great for the Ds...

Kim said...

Good overview for all us photographers.

Penelope Notes said...

This useful information has a lot of good detail for those who want to explore photography a little deeper. It is clear to see by the contrasting yellow flowers how important digital dots really are in getting good results.

Carver said...

It is interesting how digital cameras have gotten cheaper and cheaper. My most recent one cost a lot more than my first ones but that's only because it is a much much better camera. Your photography posts are very interesting and good shots here. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team

Meryl said...

Yet another wonderful tutorial! Love our photos and explanations. Looking forward to next week's.

Shrinky said...

I love this new series of yours, and I HAD NO IDEA you'd been awarded a place for one of your entries on Red Bubble - many congratulations dear Leslie, I do hope you will post that photograph here? Isn't amazing how technology has moved on so fast? It's wonderful to be able to take as many shots as we like, with no worries about running out of film, and being able to instantly see what we've taken right on the spot is such a wonderful gift! Sadly, on the downside, the fortune I paid out a few years ago investing in my Cannon 350D, has long been superceeded by far cheaper and better models now available. Ah well, c'est la vie, huh?

Joy said...

A depth of information here, I've lost count the number of times I have not noticed a stray item throwing the focus out.

jill said...

Nice Ds Leslie,did you get my Email?hope so.Love Jill xx

Barbara said...

I have always taken lots of photographs but when I had a young family the cost of film and developing became too expensive, so I had to cut down, then along came Digital cameras a most wonderful invention. I am now able to go out on a trip and take 100s of photos, I love it!

Great post and congrats on your 3rd place with Redbubble.

Hildred said...

I am going to have to save all your posts, Leslie, and make some notes.

Wanda said...

What great information. I think taking notes would be great.

I did use the word "dapper" in my post. haha

Granny Smith said...

I love my digital camera, but still miss some of the features of my old film camera - such as that depth of focus. I usually set my digital on automatic - and I also change to 300 dpi in my computer. Your final two photos are good examples of the efficacy of this! Enjoyed your post very much!

Tumblewords: said...

Great information. I have a small point and shoot digital with few adjustments. I'm not sure I'd have the patience to look so carefully at the instructions. Your posts are wonderful, though.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Another delightful camera tricks and tips Leslie, keep it coming please!

Dolce & Gabbana
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

JANU said...

Very informative for photography enthusiasts.

nonizamboni said...

Thanks for the digital tips, Leslie. Happy shooting!

Annie said...

Thanks for all the great info, I'm learning a lot!

Dhemz said...

wow! love all the photos!

Mrs.D said...

great article miss Leslie...:)

Dias Spot said...

I love photography...my point and shoot camera takes good pictures sometimes...but I still prefer using my DSLR

Smalltown RN said...

Wow what a great post Leslie...very educational...looky you becoming the photographer and all...I know where I am going to come when I have a digital question...so glad to see you enjoying your photography...