ESFotoClix Blog

That would be depth of field (DOF), Unsharp mask (USM), and noise reduction (NR), respectively, in case you don’t do photo-geek speak. Lately, I’ve been playing with closeup photography of flowers, trying to achieve shallow DOF with large lens apertures.

I’ve noticed that as I post-process these images, whatever grain due to digital noise is in the out of focus areas is accentuated when I sharpen to achieve good detail definition in my foreground subject. The creamy bokeh the AIS 28mm f/2.8 produces in the original turns harsh due to unnecessary over-sharpening of those areas that in fact do not need to be sharpened at all.

Nikon D90 & AIS 28mm @ f/2.8: with uniform USM across entire image

The solution to this, as I’ve often read but seldom practiced because it takes effort, skill and time, selective sharpening of only those areas you want to sharpen is the solution. In the following image, selective sharpening was achieved by selecting around the red flower, and creating a mask in the foreground layer. Sharpening is then done on the background layer, and additionally, noise reduction is applied against the foreground layer to get rid of the little grain that exists in the original.

Nikon D90 & AIS 28mm @ f/2.8: with selective USM on subject and NR in OOF areas

Not only have we sharpened only what we need to sharpened, but we’ve also softened the bokeh a little more with the blending that happens during noise reduction (depending on the parameters chosen, of course). This leads to a contrast in foreground sharpenss against the OOF areas’ softeness, giving the impression of additional sharpening.

I will definitely keep experimenting with this technique and adjust the strength of effect until I get results that are pleasing and not over-cooked. Of course, this will take image-by-image evaluation, as each photograph will need a slightly different approach. Nonetheless, I like my resulst thus far.

Inspired by Chelsea’s passing, we planted a small garden patch through which, with the renewal of flowers each spring, we hope to remember her. For the past few days, I’ve been photographing that small garden, and other spots around the house where early spring flowers are beginning to come into their own.

The following three macros were captured with the Nikon D700 and my trusty AIS 55mm f/2.8 micro. The latter simply comes to life on a full frame camera, and I am really enjoying the shallow depth of field I can achieve with it since I now have to get in closer to my close-up subjects.

Early Spring

Chelsea’s Calalily

Tulip teardrop

Today, after two weeks of struggle with loss of appetite due to an enlarged heart, and one day before we were planning to take her to the Vet for that final decision, our buddy Chelsea’s heart gave out while she slept at one of her favorite hangouts in our yard. We were hoping she’d die peacefully in her own surroundings rather than on some strange, cold table, and she did.

Looking back through old photos, mostly from cameras that did a poor job with exposure and detail has helped us remember her in better times. Regardless of all the technical flaws, Chelsea’s personality, a mix of regal defiance and playfulness come through.

Then there are the photos taken with better cameras and fancy lenses when she was older.

But the worst picture — at least as far as her health and personality are concerned — is the one I took with my best camera yet, a few days ago while she rested near the spot where she passed away today.

She was a great dog and a better friend, regardless of the image quality of her likeness.