Standing back

9/6/14

This exercise looks at using a telephoto lens between 80-200mm or longer.

I looked at using a longer length telephoto lens in different situations to see what the effect would be, the advantages of using it and the difficulties it would pose .

Newark Market Place

Context: These two market traders were engrossed in their work. I took the image at two different focal lengths to compare the difference. Taken from across the market aisle.

1/80 f8 ISO200 280mm

At 280mm, the image is more about the people rather than their surroundings. Facial expressions are shown in more detail. The background becomes more abstract with blur (bokeh). The men stand out from the blurred background. I think there is enough of what the men are doing to make it an interesting picture. I initially thought the crop was too severe. On reflection, I like this image. It creates an inverted triangle and eye lines.

1/100 f8 ISO200 170mm

At 170mm, the background is more visible and in focus. The viewer is informed of what the men are doing and it is easier to place them. The man on the viewers left's right arm detracts from the inverted triangle.

Advantages:

• Easier to take an image where people do not suspect you are taking it.
•  Crop in tight on the subject and the background becomes noticeably blurred. 
• Gives the impression of separating the person from the background and makes them stand out. 
• Depth of field becomes compressed. 
• More detail captured of person and facial expressions

Disadvantages

• People walked in front of the lens or ducked underneath it.
• Needed to increase the ISO / balance the aperture / increase shutter speed in darker situations as the light has further to travel down the lens to prevent camera shake.
• Self conscious using a longer lens
• People notice the longer lens and start posing / behaving unnaturally

L'Eroica Bakewell, Derbyshire 21st June 2014

1/320  f8 ISO200 150mm

1/160 F8 ISO200 170mm

Context: A best dressed ladies and best dressed gentlemen's event happened on stage at this event. I was unable to get near the front so stood at the side and used a longer focal length to capture actions and facial expressions.

The lady in the yellow hat was very animated and the brightness of her hat drew the viewers eye in towards her. I tried to show that these people were on stage with their bikes by framing the baskets and handlebars.

The chaps had won third prize in the best dressed gentlemen on their tandem. I was a bit fixated by the man's moustache. The stage was busy so I cropped in tighter hoping to isolate the action of conversation. A man in a top hat is not an everyday occurrence. (The chap in the yellow baseball cap is a distraction and a better vantage point would have meant I could shoot straight on instead of at an angle)

Advantages:

• Focal length enabled me to crop out the crowds (although one can just see the top of two blurred heads in the first image)
• Background blurred
• facial expressions visible
• people separated from the background

Disadvantages:

• To stand amongst the crowd I had people walk infront of the lens or creep round me. Moved to the side to avoid unpredictable movement of people  

Nottingham Cyclelive 2014 22nd June 2014

1/200 F9 ISO400 105mm

Context: I have observed events photographers sit on the side of the road to capture action. Usually, set the camera on shutter priority and follow the action. I observed the behaviour of people through the lens with the camera on a fixed position and noticed on review on my laptop that when photographing more than one person like this things happen that you don't see because you are watching only one or two people.

This image was taken near the start line so people were aware of the presence of cameras. I wanted people bunched up together for impact. With this type of image I discovered that I could not predict who was going to move where and it was valuable to keep watching and press the shutter when the pattern of people was right for the frame. I think this is more of a "decisive moment" than an "ongoing moment".

Advantages:

• People at the back are unaware of the camera position.
• Shallow depth of field blurs people at the back
• Standing on the line with the action meant no passers by

Disadvantages:

• Could capture more people with a wider lens

Scott MTB Marathon Church Stretton 29th June 2014

1/250 F5 ISO100 210mm

Context: Finish line at the end of a 75km 9000ft of climbing mountain bike marathon. Camera set to shutter priority to track riders. People were leaving so the singe track road was busy and I had to pick my spot so as not to obstruct the exit. By using the end of the ride I hoped I would not be too obtrusive and riders would have good facial expressions such as exhaustion, elation, achievement etc.

Advantages:

• Long focal length gave compression and shallow depth of field to image.
• Rider stands out from background

Disadvantages:

• When tracking subject, need space so other spectator's heads do not appear in the shot.