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Sportress17
Participating Frequently
February 23, 2019
Answered

Too Shallow DOF? Critique please

  • February 23, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 452 views

This is one of my favorite images of our winter in the Pacific Northwest. It was rejected due to focusing reasons. I'm assuming it's because the DOF is so shallow...my goal was to make the snowflakes appear larger by shooting a 2.0 on my 50mm and focusing on the closest point of the park bench. Looking for some advice and critiquing on how I could improve this image.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ricky336

Hello,

A few things. Firstly, remember you are shooting for stock, so there has to be something of interest and that can be used. Secondly, You have to have a focus point, something that grabs the attention of the viewer. In this this case, you don't have anything that grabs one's attention. I get the idea of you wanting to show the snow flakes, but here it doesn't really work. It's not so obvious. I think using a shallow depth of field has not worked with this photo (at least for stock).

Also as mentioned, better to avoid B&W pictures as there is a greater chance of them being rejected.

1 reply

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 23, 2019

Keep the whole bench or at least most of the bench in focus. That would help.

The problem is that there is nothing interesting in focus.

You should also avoid bw pictures. The buyer can easily convert, but he can not convert back if he wants a colour picture.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
Ricky336
Community Expert
Ricky336Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 24, 2019

Hello,

A few things. Firstly, remember you are shooting for stock, so there has to be something of interest and that can be used. Secondly, You have to have a focus point, something that grabs the attention of the viewer. In this this case, you don't have anything that grabs one's attention. I get the idea of you wanting to show the snow flakes, but here it doesn't really work. It's not so obvious. I think using a shallow depth of field has not worked with this photo (at least for stock).

Also as mentioned, better to avoid B&W pictures as there is a greater chance of them being rejected.

S
Sportress17Author
Participating Frequently
February 24, 2019

Thank you! Just beginning to upload stock images and haven't shot a ton specifically for that purpose, so still breaking the habit of converting to b/w.

Thank you for taking the time to leave a thorough reply.

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