Your Assignment Is...Take a Portrait With Shallow Depth of Field: Due 2/21

This is a repeat, but one that needs repeating since I think we all want to achieve great portrait shots— even when it's just a quick candid shot we're grabbing before the cake is served or before the kids are leaving for school. And using shallow depth of field is a key to great portraits (along with expression, lighting, angle). Shallow depth of field, when the parts of the image in front of and behind the subject are out of focus, makes your subject pop off the image. The example here (a repost from the summer, sorry), for instance, shows the eye and smile in sharp focus, yet the tip of the nose, ear and hair are out of focus. Another advantage of shallow depth of field is that you can eliminate distracting backgrounds like indoor clutter, foliage, cars on the street, etc., It makes the background less defined with soft colors.

To get shallow depth of field, the key is to set your camera to the "A" mode: Aperture-Priority. You can leave your ISO setting at 200 or 400 (or higher if the lighting conditions are low) and leave your camera in autofocus. You will then use your thumb-wheel to dial in the smallest number you can, like F/2.8, F/3.5, F/5.6. Focus on the eyes of your subject, or the eye that is closest to the camera. Depending on how close you are to your subject and what lens you are using (telephoto lenses and closer proximity make the effect even more apparent), you will notice that the background is just soft to almost unrecognizable. If you want the photo to have some context of where you are (like cooking in the kitchen), then maybe F/5.6 is a better choice. But if you want the crowd in the background to go really soft, "open the lens wider" to F/3.5 or F/2.8 if you can.

Please review the aperture download card here and look at the 4 posts about Depth of Field: Blurring the Background under photo tips on the right column for more info. Then, shoot your assignment. Really shoot it and practice, don't just search your photos for one that fits this assignment. I will look at the data tags to see when it was shot (looking for images shot 1/30 through 2/12). Use this opportunity to shoot a great Valentines portrait of your family members and put them into a collage frame!

Upload your assignment that you post on your blog, flickr, photobucket or facebook to Mr. Linky's below, or email me your assignment and I will post it for you. stacie.errera@yahoo.com. Someone will get an A+ and $5 Starbucks Gift Card. Thanks for playing and Good Luck!

Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. Stefanie

2. Jeanne

3. ~Jamie

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Stop Action Photo Assignment #6 Results: Laura

I love this photo of a runner in the rain. Laura successfully caught the action by freezing the muddy water flying up from the stomp of the runner's foot. A fast shutter speed was needed to stop the action. Laura, please email me (stacie.errera@yahoo.com) your mailing address so that I can send out your Starbuck's gift card. Congrats to all who played. And congrats to ~Jamie who has successfully completed the course! She turned in six out of six assignments. Way to go! I will email you your certificate of completion to post on your blog, Jamie. Look for the next assignment to be posted soon (the holidays and work have slowed my posting down a bit, and I apologize).

Your Assignment Is...Take a "Stop Action" Photo: Due 12/11/09

Freezing a droplet of water or a smiling face zipping past you on a bike both require using a fast shutter speed and usually a higher ISO setting. I prefer to set my camera on aperture priority in order to prevent under-exposing my shot. In this shooting mode, using a wide open aperture like F/2.8, F/3.5 or F/5.6 will let a lot of light into the camera, and the camera will then automatically choose the fastest shutter speed it can—given the ISO setting and your lighting conditions. If it is a bright day, the shutter speed will be higher in this mode when using a wide aperture. And the higher you set your ISO, the higher the resulting shutter speed will be. So start with your camera in the "A" or "AV" mode, set the aperture to a wide open setting, and set your ISO at 400. Look thru the camera and see what shutter speed your camera says it will use. If it is slower than 1/500th of a second, then boost your ISO to 800, or 1000. Keep in mind that if your subject is moving very fast, you may need a very high shutter speed, like 1/1000th or 1/1250th in order to freeze the motion. To refresh your memory about aperture priority, take a look at the aperture download card posted here. Take a break from raking leaves, grab the camera and take a few shots of autumn fun. Or, if it is already snowing in your part of the country, take some creative snowball fight shots. Use a fast shutter speed to capture sports action, falling confetti, sprinkler water and more. Use Mr. Linky's below to turn in your assignment after posting on your own blog or flickr or photobucket, etc account, or feel free to email me your shot and I will post it for you (stacie.errera@yahoo.com). Assignment #6 is due 12/11/09. Someone will get the A+ and a $5 Starbucks gift card. Good luck!

Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. laura 2. Stefanie

3. Cris 4. ~Jamie

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Worm's Eye View Photo Assignment #5 Results: Scott

With each assignment, it gets more difficult to choose just one image to get the A+. I loved all of the architecture shots and the couple of cool portraits from a different perspective. I selected Scott for the A+ since, as his caption on Flickr states, you feel like you're there. Please do check out his photo here since this small thumb nail does not do it justice. I really do feel like I'm on the trail when I view his image. Congrats Scott. Please send your mailing address to stacie.errera@yahoo.com and I will send out your gift card for Starbucks. I'll post the next assignment after I return from an overseas trip. So be on the look-out for assignment 6. And if you've played along since the first assignment, you'll get your certificate of completion after turning in #6!

Your Assignment Is...Take a Photo from A Worm's Eye View: Due 10/31/09

Getting low on the ground and shooting up towards your subject can create a dramatic effect. This is called a "worm's eye view" since you are essentially viewing the subject just as a worm would. As opposed to a bird's eye view, well, you get the picture. Now, I literally laid down on the ground and shot up to make sure I could get the full length of the lighthouse in my shot. However, crouching down can achieve the effect. So can raising your subject. For example, your subject is up on a ladder, or porch, and you are on the ground. Use your imagination to get below your subject. You will see how you can crop out distracting backgrounds, include more sky, or incorporate something special in the photo. You can also give the illusion of height, power, strength and more when you shoot upwards. Assignment #5 is due on 10/31 and you can use Mr. Linky's below to link your assignment from your own blog, your Facebook page or your Flickr page. Or, as always, you can email it to me (stacie.errera@yahoo.com) and I will post it for you! Someone will get the A+ and a $5 gift card to Starbucks. Good luck and don't forget to download the free photo tips card to help you out with this assignment.


Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. laura 2. Laura D 3. Shauna @ They Call Me Lucy

4. Jamie 5. Jeanne 6. Amber D.

7. Denene 8. Stefanie 9. Scott

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Rule of Thirds Photo Assignment #4 Results: Stefanie

You guys all really nailed this one. The rule of thirds can make a huge difference in your photos as several of you demonstrated on your blogs for your entries. Congrats to all of you. I selected Stefanie's for the A+. I think the technique is really clear here: The boat is positioned in the lower right third, and the horizon of land is in the upper third making for a very well balanced and interesting shot. (Stefanie, please email me at stacie.errera@yahoo.com so that I can send you your Stabucks gift card and copy the award here for your blog). Check out Stefanie's blog at http://prncsstefy.blogspot.com. Look for the photo assignment #5 to be posted soon. Thanks for playing!

Another Rule of Thirds Example-Your Photo Assignment is Due 9/28

Here's another quick example of the rule of thirds. I love its simplicity. I called it heading home on my Project 365 blog. The main subjects are located in roughly the lower left third of the grid. Read more about the rule of thirds here, here and here. Don't forget to turn in your assignment (using rule of thirds) by Monday, 9/28. You can read all about the assignment here. And you can always send me your photo and I can upload for you.

Your Assignment Is...Take a Photo that Demonstrates the Rule of Thirds: Due 9/28/09

The rule of thirds is one of the most powerful creative options you have when composing your photograph. A photo that has the important element of the photo at an intersecting point of a "tic tac toe" board, or in one of the right or left, top or bottom thirds of the photo, is one that is more compelling  than a shot with the subject centered. Most often, you don't want to position your subject smack dab in the center of the frame. It's boring. Although, this rule, like all rules, can be broken very effectively. That really depends on the shot. But if you start to think about not putting you subject in the center of the frame, you will train your eye to see better shots. For example, the eye closest to the camera should hit one of the intersecting points. Or the critical part of the landscape should be in the top third or bottom third, left third or right third. My shot here shows the subject off to the right slightly and in the lower portion of the frame. This gives the subject breathing room in the frame, the "white space" (which does not have to be white, but rather unimportant or non-distracting space in the frame) gives your eye a place to rest and then come back to the subject, and by positioning the subject as I did, you get a feeling of where she is and that where she is important to me and therefore should be to the viewer as well. Below is another example. This time a vertical landscape that also adheres to the rule of thirds. I added the tic tac toe board to both images also so that you can get a better idea of where the intersecting points or thirds of a frame are.

Please try this as you are taking photos over the next two weeks and turn in your photo assignment by 9/28/09 for your chance to get the A+ and a $5 Starbucks gift card. You can use Mr. Linky's below to upload your image that you have posted on your blog, Facebook, Flickr, or website for the assignment. Or, you can email your shot to stacie.errera@yahoo.com and I will post it for you. Good Luck!

Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. mlspencerwv 2. Cris 3. Stefanie

4. Steff 5. Jeanne 6. farmnwife

7. ~Jamie 8. Margaret

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Window Light Portrait Assignment #3 Results: Jeanne

Three beautiful children and a perfectly posed cat. All lovely portraits by window light. Excellent job all! Jeanne's photo showed great emotion and wonderful catch lights in the eyes of her daughter who joyously posed in the curtained window. Jeanne can copy and paste this A+ mark onto her blog or facebook and she'll receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. Just e-mail me Jeanne. Look for assignment #4 to be posted later in the week. Thanks for playing along!

Your Assignment Is...Window Light Portrait: Due September 5th

Assignment #3 is to take a portrait of a person or pet by window light. A few things to keep in mind: Natural window light usually means wide open apertures and slower shutter speeds, so consider boosting your ISO if necessary, be sure your anti-shake mode is on, or use a tripod to prevent camera shake. Two, the closer you are to a window, the more dramatic the shadow on the opposite side of the face will be. Positioning your subject further from a window means softer, more even light. Three, you can actually stand in front of the window and position your subject facing the window and it won't cast a shadow! This results in very flat lighting on the face. Four, shoot by a window even if it is overcast or there are soft sheer curtains. The light will be beautiful. Be sure to review the photo tips under "Lighting: Window Light" in the column to the right to see examples photos. Your assignment is due September 5. Use Mr. Linky's below to turn in your assignment, or send your shot to me to post (stacie.errera@yahoo.com). Someone will get the A+ and a $5 Starbucks gift card. Good Luck!


Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. Jeanne 2. Stefanie

3. ~Jamie 4. Margaret

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Creative Framing Assignment #2 Results: Cris

You guys made this one really tough! Great photos everyone! Each one was very creative. Cris' shot of her kids framed by an inner tube float was nicely done and my pick for this assignment for the A+ and a $5 Starbucks Gift Card. The kids are positioned very well, with eyes at different levels and she zoomed in close to crop out part of the tube, which makes the shot interesting. Congrats Cris from Elementally Speaking! Email me your address and I will send out your gift card. Watch for photo assignment #3 to be posted next week. Thanks for playing!

Your Photo Assignment Is...Frame Your Subject Creatively in Your Photo: Due August 10th

This photo assignment calls for you to creatively frame your subject so that you draw attention to your subject and tell your story more effectively. My photo is very literal, but check out the framing tip to the right and watch for this week's post about framing for more creative ideas. Turn in your photo assignment by August 10th and you could receive an A+ and a $5 Starbucks gift card. Use Mr. Linky's here to upload your photo from your Flicker stream, your blog, from your Facebook page or website. Or, feel free to email your photo to me at stacie.errera@yahoo.com and I will post it for you. Good luck!


Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. Carrie 2. Jeff V 3. amber d.

4. Cris 5. Jeanne 6. ~Jamie @ Kids...Me & RAW III

7. Stephanie

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Shallow Depth of Field Assignment Results: Amber

First off, I love the assignments you all turned in. It's not easy to pick just one, but I really feel Amber D's shot of a butterfly on a tree really works. If it did not have the shallow depth of field it has, the butterfly would have been lost in the background and the image would not have the impact it does. Congrats Amber! Email me to pick up your A+ badge and I will send out your Starbucks gift card right away. The next assignment will be posted shortly.

Your Photo Assignment Is...Create a Photo Using Shallow Depth of Field: Due 7/24/09

Welcome to Chasing Picture Perfection's new online photo course. Every two weeks I will post a new assignment based on a topic that I have covered. You "turn-in" your assignments using Mr. Linky's, which allows you to post your completed assignment on your own blog, website or Facebook™ page and you leave the link on my blog so that I can review them (along with any other person who stops by to see what the "class" is up to). If you don't have a place to post your image, please email it to me (stacie.errera@yahoo.com) and I will link it for you. I will choose one image that best demonstrates the technique or rule to receive an A+. The A+ "student" gets a badge to place on his/her site and a $5 Starbucks gift card! If you complete six assignments (need not be consecutive), you will receive a badge for your site stating you completed the photo course. I hope these assignments will give you a chance to practice the many tips I try to bring to you. So on to the first assignment...
Take a photo that demonstrates creative use of shallow depth of field. Shallow depth of field is when the area in front and/or behind your subject is blurred, making your subject pop off the page (or screen). Controlling your depth of field is one of the best techniques you can master to improve your photography. Shallow depth of field is most often created by using a wide open aperture (a number like F/2.8, F/3.5, F/4, F/5.6 or F/6.3). Using a telephoto lens can also help to achieve shallow depth of field, as does moving in closer to your subject. Review past posts under the Photo tips column (Depth of Field: Blurring the Background) to the right if you'd like to brush up. And then shoot, post, and link by 7/24/09. Then pat yourself on the back for completing your first photo assignment!


Your Photo Assignment Is... Participants

1. ~Jamie 2. Kathy 3. Sue 4. Deb

5. Stephanie 6. Andre 7. Vic Scott 8. Cris

9. Amber D. 10. Carrie 11. Mark B

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.