Sinful Sunday Monthly Prompt March 2016

It's all about the image

Sinful Sunday Monthly Prompt March 2016

Nude woman looking down at camera

The prompt for 6th March 2016 is: Shallow Depth of Field

Time for a technical photography challenge this month. The depth of field, or focus range as it is often known, is the amount of the image that is in focus. A deep focal range is when all or nearly all of the image remains in focus. A shallow depth of field is where only a selected part of the image is in sharp focus with the foreground and background falling out of focus, allowing you the photographer, to control the area of the image you want to highlight as your subject. Often the area of your image that is out focus still provides context to the part of the image that is sharp, adding to the overall narrative of your shot.

So how do you go about this? If you are using a DSLR you are going to need to shot in manual and set a large aperture which is represented on the setting by a low f stop anything under f 5.6 should work but the lower the better. If you using a camera that is full automatic then it gets a bit trickier, however even phone camera these days allow you to select a focal area but if not it can still be done. Make sure the area you want to be in focus is well lit, all cameras are set to search for the focus on the light, they will seek that out and automatically make that the focal point. Also, get in a bit closer, make the area of the image you want in focus the most prominent thing. For example, image taking a side on shot of a breast, get in fairly close, the camera should focus on the brightest/contrasting thing it sees which should be where the nipple and outline of the breast cuts through the background.

Finally some inspirations….

Stroke by Behind the Chintz Curtain – The focus here forces the eye to the little bit of lace against her skin and the clasp of the stockings

Cocoon by Cammies on the Floor – Such a beautiful sensual image with the bright red lips as the focus made all the more sexy by the blurred background of her nakedness

One Nightstand by Frisky in the 916 – Very clever shot, the condom wrapper is the focal point but there is enough of the background to tell us a bigger story.

Sharing the bed – The Shingle Beach – The focus here on the hand in the empty part of the bed has been used to emphasis the empty space

Are you sitting comfortably by A to sub Bee – This is brilliant use of shallow depth of field. The only part of the image that is actually in focus is a small part of the rope in the foreground but clever composition and use of light actually means that you are drawn past that focal point and into the story of the shot.

A New Toy by Penny for your Dirty Thoughts – A clever shot with the toy the focus but the background playing a vital and sexy role in giving it context.

The prompt is published here on the site mid month, which will give people approximately 2 weeks to work on their idea before linking in, on the 1st weekend of the month. The prompt is completely optional and you can link in as normal on that weekend whether you have used the prompt or not. The usual Sinful Sunday rules will, of course, apply. Please make sure you have read them recently so that you are fully aware of what is and is not allowed.

As always interpret as you wish, or disregard altogether and do you own thing.

Have your post ready to go for Sunday 6th March 2016. Any questions or queries can be posted in the comments below, you can email me [email protected] or tweet me @mollysdailykiss

Mollyxxx

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