Moving from Automatic - advice

bran wrote in post #15006217
The small the f-stop the less light, also the more shallow the DOF.

There is a major error here.

Smaller f-stop numbers allow MORE light to pass through the lens to the film plane (or sensor) in a camera. You are correct, however, that this also makes the depth of field (DOF) shallower.

Using smaller f-stop numbers allows you to use faster shutter speeds which will stop motion more than slower shutter speeds.

No, I mis...typed

bran wrote in post #15009217
No, I mis...typed

You should be able to edit the error in the previous post.

bran wrote in post #15004466
outside.

From what I read I would want an aperture of f2.0 or 2.8 (which I my camera does not do anyways).

onona wrote in post #15005223
If you don't mind spending a bit of money, consider picking up a cheap 50mm f/1.8 lens.

the 50mm 1.8 is the easiest and cheapest way to get that blurred background

3 things control your DOF; your aperture, your focal length & your distance to subject. If you want a more shallow DOF, open up your aperture, use a longer focal length, and/or be closer to your subject. If you want a larger DOF, do the opposite.

You can definitely get a shallow DOF with that lens, even though the aperture doesn't open very wide. Just get closer to your subject and zoom in to use a longer focal length.

I have the 55-250IS which only has a maximum aperture of f/4.0- f/5.6. But when I get close & zoom in, I get a nice blurred background.

I don't know how close I was to my subjects, but some examples:

179mm f/9

Jaci - Thank you so much for these examples. See that is where I am confused. Your aperture on the first two pictures is f/9 and f/10 - high- that seems contrary to what I am reading I would want. But it worked beautifully for you.

I guess I just need to keep practicing.

Analysis paralysis

bran wrote in post #15057743
Jaci - Thank you so much for these examples. See that is where I am confused. Your aperture on the first two pictures is f/9 and f/10 - high- that seems contrary to what I am reading I would want. But it worked beautifully for you.

I guess I just need to keep practicing.

Analysis paralysis

His backgrounds were further than the subject's distance to the lens, creating the blurry background. Also, his longer focal length helped with the grasshopper shot.

bran wrote in post #15057743
Jaci - Thank you so much for these examples. See that is where I am confused. Your aperture on the first two pictures is f/9 and f/10 - high- that seems contrary to what I am reading I would want.

You have to realize that aperture is not the only thing that determines your DOF. Your focal length & your distance to subject play just as big a role in controlling your DOF as your aperture does. That's why I posted these examples to help illustrate the point. If you want a shallow DOF, open up your aperture, use a longer focal length and/or be closer to your subject. You always hear about how aperture affects your DOF, but not much about focal length & distance to subject. But they are just as important.

smallpotatoes wrote in post #15057939
You have to realize that aperture is not the only thing that determines your DOF. Your focal length & your distance to subject play just as big a role in controlling your DOF as your aperture does. That's why I posted these examples to help illustrate the point. If you want a shallow DOF, open up your aperture, use a longer focal length and/or be closer to your subject. You always hear about how aperture affects your DOF, but not much about focal length & distance to subject. But they are just as important.

there are even apps for that
or online
http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

watt100 wrote in post #15058895
there are even apps for that
or online
http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

Which was already posted twice up above... (I am just being evil!)

Randy