Our Project 52 week 8 challenge is to "use a wide angle lens to create a sense of inclusion."   The book we are using as our guideline, "The Visual Toolbox" states that wider lenses more closely mimic our peripheral vision and will allow the viewers to feel as if they're part of the scene.   I must admit when I read this week's assignment, I got excited.  After last week's not so great results, I felt I might have better success with wide angle inclusion AND I was headed to the NC mountains with friends (and their dogs!)  What perfect timing for our assignment using a wide angle lens and my subject Topsy the golden retriever was more than happy to model. Then I got a little side tracked.

I was soooo excited to be out with my camera, I forgot to keep the focal length wide.  I started out using my 24-70mm lens and I did take some shots in the 26mm range but most of the ones I ended up taking were 70mm+ because I put a bigger lens on my camera.   I forgot about the actual intent of the challenge 'wide angle inclusion' as I was just focused on trying to get a sharp image of my subject who was not still for very long periods of time. :)  Can you blame her?

This image isn't tack sharp but it was shot at 26mm.  Topsy is actually in a harness, on leash with her mom holding the other end, all of which is in the original photo so this one provided great photoshop practice for me.  I also am wondering if I need to get my 24-70mm lens calibrated.  After this past weekend, I want to set it up on a tripod and see if I get sharp results because I'm not happy with these and I'd like to think it may be the lens and not me. (That however is not likely I'm afraid!)

I loved this assignment and I wish I would've had even more time in the mountains to practice because what this really taught me is that I need more instruction on composition.  I had a beautiful subject and a beautiful background but my images "composition-wise" are lacking.  I would love suggestions from others on how I could've made this shot more appealing.

I've also recently been reading some facebook posts about using a Depth of Field (DoF) calculator.  I've not used one before but I think it would help me know where I need to be in relation to my subject.  Does anyone use one regularly and if you have an iphone, is there a specific DoF app you'd recommend?

Next up in the blog circle is Northeastern PA Pet Photographer, I Got the Shot Photography.  Be sure to continue clicking the links at the end of each post and then you'll end up right back here.