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Out of focus Giant Panda


Out of focus Giant Panda
Photo Information
Copyright: Asif Minhas (aminhas) (27)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-01-11
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon 18-55mm
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/30 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-03-05 1:43
Viewed: 1229
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I cropped the photo. Sorry the Giant Panda is out of focus.

I took this photo in San Diego zoo.
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  • Good 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5747 W: 606 N: 3505] (9407)
  • [2006-03-05 2:54]

Hi Asif
Sorry for you that the photo did not come out the way you hoped for.
The problem here is not focus as such rather than camera movement. At 1/30 shutter speed it will be impossible for most people to get a clear shot. Even though it was cropped, with your 18-55mm Canon lens you should have achieved a much clearer shot.
There are three easy solutions for this (the one will just cost you a bit).
1. You can change your ISO setting higher (200 or 400 or even higher) to gain extra shutter speed.
2. You can go even lower on f/stop, but since you were already on f/5.6 you probably don’t want to go this way as the depth of field really become very flat and critical.
3. Or, you can acquire a longer lens (55-200 or 75-300, etc.) so that you can zoom in to the subject, then you don't need to crop the photo so much as to end up with a result such as this.
Lastly, and please see this as an attempt to help you and not to shoot you down. I realise sometimes a photo means something special to you, after all you were there and you know what happened when you took it, but if the quality of a photo is not up to standard you simply do not post it.
Having said that I have to acknowledge the possibility of such a posting being purely for the reasons of asking/obtaining some advice or direction. If that is the case than you could use your notes to ask for specific advice or suggestions.
Happy hunting and may we still see many fine postings coming from your lens. TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Good 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 169 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-03-05 14:55]

Hi Asif,
A very wise critique from Loot in which he offers some good advice. I think you would be ok selecting a larger aperture value, especially at this distance, I think f/4 or larger would work fine. I have to say I do like the compostion of your crop, you have done it well. You have the Panda at one side but looking as if he is turning into the centre of the frame which always works.

On the slow shutter speed subject, you could always try a tripod, which in most cases would help. I'm not sure here because the Panda looks as if he is moving so he might have blurred anyway at 1/30.

Good luck and look forward to seeing your next post!

Best regards,
Adrian

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