Re: Camera restoration? and Focus?

[Joel.Alpers@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Paul A. Lehman writes:

#2. I have quickly learned that 3D photos with maximum depth of field 
#   provide great visual distance within the photograph. This is 
#   accomplished, of course, by adjusting the focus to accommodate 
#   the depth of field from infinity to close-distance via the f-stops. 
#   Here is my question(s): is the value of 3D lost if too much of the
#   foreground or background are set out of focus? 

I'd have to say, "it depends". I think, contrary to what I was taught
when starting 3D, that selective focus _can_ work, but I think you have
to be very careful how it is applied.

For example, I think you could do a very effective closeup of a rose
bloom, with the background _completely_ out of focus, and have it
work very effectively in 3D. But I think what _doesn't_ work is when
you have objects getting fuzzier and fuzzier as you approach infinity.
I think you need to have sufficient "room" between your in-focus
subject, and your out-of-focus background, so that objects in the
scene do not end up _partly_ in focus.

Personally, I find 3D photos in which things are _partly_ in focus
to be the most annoying (and I should know, I take _lots_ of them ;) ;)

I think this is particularly true of photos with unsharp _FOREGROUND_,
I don't think people object as much to infinity being out of focus, as
that's more true to our everyday seeing. But it can still be bad in a 3D photo.

#   This is a typical 2D 
#   approach for portraits, etc, to prevent distracting backgrounds. However, 
#   if one were within a confined area (ie indoors), is it better to focus 
#   on the primary object of the photo knowing that the room dimension 
#   limits the background distance, or will there still be an advantage 
#   to infinity setting of focus on the f-stop?
#

If I understand this correctly, I'd say that in that case you don't need
to worry about the infinity setting on focus. For example, if you're
taking a "macro" scene - you obviously only need sharp focus from
3-20 feet, it that's the only range of objects in the scene. Or did
I misunderstand your question?


Joel Alpers
Rocky Mountain Memories - Equipment and Supplies for the 3D Photographer
rkymtmem@xxxxxxxx
http://www.frii.com/~rkymtmem


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