blurring background around focused subject with s1 is

[gooch02000]

say if i were to take a picture of someone, having it be really sharp and in focus, have them just off center of the frame, how do i blur the background around them.. I am using a S1 IS. is there a way to pull this off with normal optics? OR will i have to use photoshop?

[robertwgross]

You need to control your depth of field as closely as possible.

For example, if you use a wide open lens on a subject at ten feet, you might want to hold the depth of field to only 9 feet to 12 feet. If you closed down the lens (bigger aperture number), then you might get a depth of field from 5 feet to 20 feet, so the background would appear clearer (which is not what you want).

Photography 101.

---Bob Gross---

[neil_r]

Use AV mode make sure that you have set a wide appature (your lens opens to f2.8 ) and focus on what you want to be sharp. This will give you a narrow Depth of field (DOF) and will blur the background.


I know this is a simple explination and that you could write reams on this but I am trying to be helpful :D

N

[rdenney]

say if i were to take a picture of someone, having it be really sharp and in focus, have them just off center of the frame, how do i blur the background around them.. I am using a S1 IS. is there a way to pull this off with normal optics? OR will i have to use photoshop?

I don't know with that camera (I've never handled it), but the general idea is to use as wide a lens aperture as possible, and as long a focal length as possible. If your camera has the usual Canon M, Av, Tv, and P settings, use Av and set the aperture to the smallest number. Then, back up from your subject and zoom in. You may have to center the subject to get it focused, and then crop the image to move the subject back off center--I don't know what focus controls are included on that camera.

The smaller the aperture number, the bigger the hole through which light passes, and the less the stuff in front of and behind the subject will appear to be in focus.

Rick "who thinks getting a really creamy background is not easy with a very small sensor and it's attendant very short lenses" Denney

[neil_r]

Snap Bob ;)

[J Rabin]

I can tell you from experience, even wide open, you can not effectively blur the background using the S1 IS, even when the background is way behind the foreground subject you focus on. Likely do to small sensor size (pin-hole effect).

Of course, if you become a PhotoShop geek, using PhotoShop CS "Lens Blur" filter on an image you mask with a Depth Map. I've even done this on dSLR macro images where I shoot for maximum DoF (limited in macro), then blur later.
Here is one EXCELLENT DETAILED free tutorial from the good fellow at The Light's Right:
http://www.thelightsright.com/DigitalDarkroom/LearningGalleries/Gallery%20Frame%20Effect/GalleryFrameEffect.htm

or from one of my fav PS books

How to How, PS for Photography. Davis and Willmore. Pages 154-155

[cyclone]

Everything above is true. For DSLR's you would do what the first 5 posts suggest. However as J Rabin points out, the digicams have a smaller sensor size that makes it almost impossible to get a blurred background. The only way I've found to blur the background with my G2 is in macro mode, which can't be used in all situations. You will probably have to go with the photoshop route.

Edit: after some thought, it's probably more due to the smaller lens size..which is used to match the smaller sensor size.

Cyclone

[MTalley]

Edit: after some thought, it's probably more due to the smaller lens size..which is used to match the smaller sensor size.

Actually, both. Do a Google search on dof and "sensor size" and you'll come up with a lot of good explanations.

My old P/S camera had a 1/1.8" sensor, which has a 5x multiplier for the 35mm equivalent. I could get some pretty decent background blur wide open (min was f/3.1) at full zoom (8x zoom - 300mm equivalent). That meant taking portraits about 30' away from the subject.

I usually ended up using PS to finish the effect.

[ScottE]

Don't forget the obvious steps:

Use Av mode and a large aperture such a f/2.8 to minimize depth of field.

Use a fairly long telephoto focal length to isolate the subject from the background.

Have a long distance between the subject and the background so the back ground will be more out of focus.

Choose a neutral background that doesn't have any distracting shapes, edges, light patterns or colours.

Scott

[gooch02000]

Don't forget the obvious steps:

Use Av mode and a large aperture such a f/2.8 to minimize depth of field.

Use a fairly long telephoto focal length to isolate the subject from the background.

Have a long distance between the subject and the background so the back ground will be more out of focus.

Choose a neutral background that doesn't have any distracting shapes, edges, light patterns or colours.

Scott

thank you all for your very awesome advice.. I posted this early today and came back after the day was through and was suprised to find such a goldmine of information.

The people in this forum are not only knowledgeable but are willing to help. I appreciate all of your replies!

and thanks to ScottE for consolidating all of the pertinent points at the end :)