8/22/2010

Aperture Survey

I did a quick aperture test on a hat/scarf set this weekend and I would love to get some feedback. I shot on a tripod in every possible aperture to see what my favorite would be. There is a definite difference in mood as you get higher depths of field and more of the hat in focus. I chose three to share that I think reflect the different depths of field and the different moods.

The first is a the the smallest depth of field of any of my lenses with an f stop of 1.8. It is Mike's favorite and the most arty of all of them with just the front of the hat in focus and the rest blurry. I think it would make a good 2nd or 3rd shot in an Etsy listing but then again maybe it would catch someones eye as a first shot.
The next one is at 5.0 f stop which is a pretty typical setting for me. Since learning more about the different settings on my camera I usually have it set on Aperture Priority and depending on lighting conditions I tend to have it set around the 5.6 stop. It's a good middle ground spot as whatever you are focusing on is nice and clear and just the outer limits are out of focus. This would probably be my choice for a first shot on an Etsy listing I'm thinking.

The last shot is at the largest depth of field this lens shoots f stop 22. Everything is in clear focus and I think the eye doesn't really know what to focus on. I would probably use this more for a full shot of both the hat and scarf but I don't think it works for the closeup on the hat. Especially for this wild hat with all of the colors and textures as I think it all is to much to take in but I could be wrong.

I would love to get some feedback. You can see more of the detail if you click on the picture to zoom in on them. Which of the three shots most catches your attention? Which of them would you use as a first listing shot on Etsy, if any?

7 comments:

June (planetjune) said...

I like the first one best - I love the shallow depth of field and I think it would be a great 2nd pic on Etsy, but I'm not sure that any of them would make me click through to your item, just because it's not at all obvious from any of these pictures what your product is! The yarn looks yummy, but I would be tempted to use a photo of the hat and scarf on a model or mannequin as the first pic, to give a better idea what it would look like on the wearer.

brokenteepee said...

For me, it's the second one. BUT I have very poor eyesight. I will leave you with that...
Great colors...

Ann said...

I like the first one the best. I just happen to like pictures with a shallow depth of field.

Reanaclaire said...

hi, coming by for the first time.. as for me, i love the second one.. u r very creative..

sandy said...

I don't know much about photography, but do a lot of knitting and crocheting; and I tend not to like pictures that are partially blurry, sorta bothers my eyes. I like to see the whole item, to be able to tell what it is, see the detail of the stitch etc. As a stitcher I'm looking at the work, the actual craft of knitting or crocheting, looking at the yarn texture etc; so I think a good selling point is to really fully see the item someone might be considering purchasing.

Good luck with your store.
Sandy

Sandy

Sandy said...

Love the detail on the first one, but I'm kind of with the rest of them that it would make a great 2nd shot and a full one of the hat first would be better!

Muffin Recipes said...

Great post thankyou

 

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