Earlier this year, Brenda Tharp wrote about Taking Risks as she took part in a creative assignment where you purposely took a photo out of focus. I even commented on how tough I thought getting a good one would be. Brenda’s out of focus photo was excellent.
As I looked through my viewfinder down Salina Street in Syracuse, New York on a cold and wintery evening. I saw an unfocused scene and I remembered Brenda’s post. I loosened the ball head on my tripod and re-composed and put my lens in manual focus. This is the result.
Winter weather on Salina Street in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/2s, f/16, ISO 800, EV +1.0, 300mm focal length.
I still need to keep practicing and I need to do that panning photo I mentioned in the comment. It’s a start!
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Scott, there’s just something about unfocused lights that captures the magic of the Christmas season.
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I agree and there’s lots around the blogs these days. Enjoy!
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I have many such shots like this. Wether on purpose or by accident! The question lies in does it make it a good photograph because you intended to create a blurred shot, or is it the purpose and title that you give a bad shot an opportunity to be something other than what it is? “A mistake” !
Jeff
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In this case, it was on purpose though I have found happy “accidents” which worked. I do feel the composition is not as good as it could have been. Something to improve upon in the future.
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Interesting idea that would seem to work well with holiday lights. Could refill the photography passion bucket on short winter days when many of us have limited opportunities to shoot.
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Aye, during winter storms and long nights, a string of Christmas lights have endless possibilities.
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Oh! Pretty! I spend a lot of the winter looking at the world through snowy glasses, so this is a familiar, um, sight.
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My glasses were like yours today, Gerry. Lots of bokeh induced fogged over glasses.
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This is interesting and very pretty! Like Gerry, I am reminded of how winter looks through my steamed up, snowy glasses.
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Thanks, Robin! Remember, steamed up lenses are not a good thing. 🙂
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I like the out of focus Christmas lights shot, I discovered that while making video clips and it has a cool effect but trying to capture that same image is not as easy as the video.
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Heading back to Biltmore before they take down the Christmas lights, Nye? Good place to practice. BTW, a co-worker visited Biltmore and brought back a book showing all the rooms and grounds. I want an observatory for my house now! 🙂
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Scott, I’m not sure if I would have time to visit Biltmore again this holiday, I have to search for a nearby place to practice. The observatory is nice, my sister wants one for her house also. 🙂
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Time to play 😉 I love that – and all the fun of doing something new or ” wrong “- and being surprised!
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Photography is supposed to be fun, right?
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Yep!
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I’ve done blurred shot panning but not on purpose out of focus. I like your photo and I may dare try this!
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My feelings are that you’ve given the effect of taking the shot in the middle of snowstorm without actually having to be out in the middle of a snowstorm! I imagine you’ve had about enough of that for a while at least!
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I am always happily surprised when I get a picture like this… even if it is a mistake. The mysteries of photography. I like those unusual shades in your picture.
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