Depth of Field

Hey everyone! Here's your tip numero dos (2)! Depth of field describes the portion of an image that is either sharp or out of focus. Great depth of field = everything in the image is in focus. Low depth of field = one portion of the image is in focus and another portion is out of focus.


In the picture below we have low depth of field. See how the boy in the front is in focus, but everything else is out of focus? This is great when you want to draw attention to just one subject in your image, for example the boy in this picture. I wanted him to be the focus. (Also notice the rule of thirds!)






The picture below has great depth of field. Everything in the picture is in focus. This is great for scenery if you want the whole scene to be the focus of the picture. It also is important to use this technique when taking pictures of large groups of people so that everyone in the picture is in focus, and not just one person is the center of attention.



You can get low depth of field with your point and shoot camera by focusing your camera (hold the shutter release half way down) on the subject you want to be in focus then moving it away to capture the whole scene. The camera should stay focused on your subject. Also try putting it on the macro setting. With SLR cameras make sure you have your aperture set at something like f/5.6 or smaller like f/2.8.

I love working with depth of field because it brings a whole new dimension to your images! Have fun playing with it!

Devan + Lauren Wedding

Tuesday night I got a call from Sister Jensen in my ward asking me if I would be willing to shoot her friends sons wedding Thursday morning. Their photographer canceled on them last second and when they didn't know what else to do this friend (who is also the grooms mom) decided she would take the pictures. Of course we couldn't let that happen so I said I would be happy to step in. Devan and Lauren tied the knot on this beautiful Thursday morning. It couldn't have been better weather, the sky was almost cloudless and it was warm enough that Lauren didn't even need her furry boots to stay warm! It was so fun to work with this cute couple and be able to share in the biggest day of their lives!

Rule of Thirds

Ok, so here's your first photo tip from Leah!


Now, a lot of photography consists of good composition (composition is how all of what you're shooting fits together in the frame of your camera). Good composition = an interesting photograph. So, how do we make a good composition? Why, by using the Rule of Thirds of course!


In order to get the rule of thirds, go ahead and split your picture into a grid of nine quadrants like so...


See where the lines intersect? That's where you put the subject of your photo, like the flower in this picture.


What this does is make your photography more dynamic and interesting than it would be to place your subject in the center of the frame. Easy enough, right?


Now it's your turn to go out and practice. Good luck! And remember good composition = interesting photograph!

Starting something new!

Hey everyone! I've been thinking... scary I know... and I've talked to a lot of people that would love to get into photography as a hobby, but they don't really know how or where to start. Photography classes are always an option, but let's be honest, who has the time?! So, to make things a little easier for everyone and as a good refresher for me I've decided to start posting photography tips on this blog! Now, I'm not a professional yet, but I do know a little more about photography than your average person. So, here's to you three people that read my blog, hopefully you won't get too bored as I give myself a little refresher on my photography classes. And, hey, you might even learn a thing or two!

I love this girl!

I pulled out my camera today and was able to convince Erin to pose for me (which doesn't happen very often). Isn't she just cute!