What Aperture Would You Guys Use For This Shot??

[Enem178]

This is a shot out my window. I wanted everything to be in focus especially the buildings in the back round. I know that I should be using a smaller aperture so that more of the image is in focus but to me the buildings still don't look as in focus as they should (IMHO). I used f/10 on this shot, so I tried going down to f/22 to see if there would be an improvements and I couldn't see any. I erased the f/22 image since it didn't look any better. That surprised me because I thought the smaller the aperture, more of the image would be in focus and hopefully my building would look sharper?? What aperture would you guys use on a landscape like this? Also would you auto or manually focus? Thanks for the help!!


1/125 f/10 iso 200 focal length 135mm Tripod Mounted
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn281/Enem178/IMG_1136-1.jpg

[DunnoWhen]

You need to read up on "Hyperfocal Distance (http://dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html)".

Then get familiar with using a DOF Calculator eg HERE (http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html)

[Enem178]

Cool Ill do that. thanks

[chauncey]

You might consider the effect of atmospheric haze, may be a factor.

[Enem178]

Really?? Never even considered that, but I think your right. The closer I look at some of my similar pix there does seem to be a slight haze over some of them. thanks chauncey

[luigis]

If you can guesstimate the distance to the closest thing you want to be in focus then you can use that to check which F will give you focus from that distance to infinite. If the closest sharp item is far enough you might even use a large aperture like F4 without a problem. The lack of definition in the posted picture is probably due to refraction of light in the atmosphere due to smog, humidity and other factors.

Luigi

[Karl Johnston]

I think it's your optimum image
But other than what you did here, aside from maybe not manual focusing the number one enemy of landscape photogs is atmospheric haze (and best friend) - the light can't hit the subject behind, so the haze acts as a diffusion filter and distorts your image in the dist.

[Enem178]

Ok got it. So is atmospheric haze that can be corrected with a certain filter or is something I we just have to live with?

[Coastal]

What time of day was this?

[Karl Johnston]

Mostly something you have to live with, a UV filter may help a tiny bit but not enough to cancel out the full effects, and some would question if any at all

[argyle]

You might consider the effect of atmospheric haze, may be a factor.

Agree 100%. This probably is the main reason for the 'softness' of the distant buildings. Smog, pollution, haze, moisture...all contributing factors (take your pick).

[rammy]

Try very early in the morning when the air is clearer.

[Enem178]

Yeah took this around 3-4pm (prob the worst time considering rush hr). Ill try again early morning and ill see what happens.

[rdenney]

It isn't so much haze. Haze reduces contrast but not sharpness to a great extent in my experience.

But it can certainly be heat. When skimming the surface to photograph very distant objects, the air will be turbulent because of the effects of heat. That can reduce sharpness profoundly. The only alternative is a day with more stable air. Early morning helps here, too.

Astronomers call it "seeing", and especially love those days when the air is calm for resolving detail in high-magnification views of planets and such.

Rick "timing is everything" Denney

[Enem178]

Good explanation!! thanks

[FlyingPhotog]

A rather extreme example of what Rick was talking about...leads to a "Mirage"

http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/107717957/original.jpg

[Enem178]

Ok I see, good example!!

[cyruz]

wheels? impending crash? or practicing landing set ups.

[FlyingPhotog]

wheels? impending crash? or practicing landing set ups.

"Flat Hatting..."

On a previous touch and go, the pilot saw me shooting and decided he'd keep it on the deck for a photo op.

I sent him a couple of 8x10s and he called me inviting me to go flying some time.

Win - Win ;)

[rdenney]

"Flat Hatting..."

On a previous touch and go, the pilot saw me shooting and decided he'd keep it on the deck for a photo op.

I sent him a couple of 8x10s and he called me inviting me to go flying some time.

Win - Win ;)

+1

Rick "pilots LOVE pictures of themselves doing neat stuff" Denney