Photo Tutorial: Shallow Snowflake
Posted on November 19, 2009 by Andy in Featured Photoglers | 3 Comments
By Matt Siltala
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash fired, auto mode, red-eye reduction
I wanted to test selective focusing to achieve a very shallow depth of field–also known as bokeh. Even though the largest aperture I could achieve was f/5.6, by using a zoom lens at 55mm, I was still able to get that bokeh effect.
I was actually trying to focus on the tip of the snowflake, but ended up focusing on the center. I ended up liking this shot regardless–and liked the out of focus at the front and back.
I added a little flash to make the snowflake sparkle.
The image was captured in JPEG with no post processing or enhancements.
View Matt Siltala’s Flickr Photostream
3 Comments to “Photo Tutorial: Shallow Snowflake”
Leave a Reply
Thanks for including this picture Andy. I love this time of year. Breaking out all my decorations again gets me excited to start snapping and thinking of some new creative Christmas season shots!!! Thanks again for putting this site together, I think it is going to be fun!!
No problem! Thanks for being a photogler!
Thanks for the tips, Matt. I usually end up with this type of shot as an accident (albeit pleasant) from time to time, so it’s good to know some of the settings to try when I’m going for this effect intentionally.