Landscape Contest Shallow Depth of Field - Cracked Earth

Shallow Depth of Field - Cracked Earth · **3 Likes**

Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax!

Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan.

**ToddK** · 10-31-2022, 04:53 AM - **1 Like**

I think this is an outstanding image that is very well composed. I don't get why some people would have said the trees are irrelevant. They are as relevant as the dried mud in creating the story that this photo tells of drought and its effects. I also like the shallow depth of field with the trees and sky blurred out in the background. Well done!

OrchidJulie · 10-31-2022, 09:00 AM - **1 Like**

I like it, too. The background is clear enough to continue the story in the foreground, which is the subject. Well done!

**MikeNArk** · 10-31-2022, 10:14 AM - **1 Like**

Great capture of the "cracked earth". This shot does illustrate the effects of drought very well, and is a scene that is repeated in many areas. I'd say the comments made about the trees are irrelevant.

**angkymac** · 10-31-2022, 06:25 PM

Interesting anecdote about the contest.
I've shot a long of cracked earth shots, and this one really does stand out very well!
Angky.

Pentaxian359 · 11-01-2022, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by ToddK

I think this is an outstanding image that is very well composed. I don't get why some people would have said the trees are irrelevant. They are as relevant as the dried mud in creating the story that this photo tells of drought and its effects. I also like the shallow depth of field with the trees and sky blurred out in the background. Well done!

ToddK, thanks so much for your kind appraisal of my image. Really appreciate your comments. Yes, the trees needed to be included to tell the story, they just didn't need to be in focus, as if they're fading away.

---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:41 PM ----------

Originally posted by OrchidJulie

I like it, too. The background is clear enough to continue the story in the foreground, which is the subject. Well done!

Also appreciate your kind and succinct comment. So glad that everyone here on PF seems to "get" what I was trying to convey, cheers and thanks!

---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:44 PM ----------

Originally posted by MikeNArk

Great capture of the "cracked earth". This shot does illustrate the effects of drought very well, and is a scene that is repeated in many areas. I'd say the comments made about the trees are irrelevant.

Thanks also MikeNArk, I really couldn't imagine the image with the tree in focus to be honest.
In Australia, we are thankfully no longer in drought, I would imagine that to revisit this place now, there would be quite a lot of water in the lake and the 'cracked earth' would now be mud, thanks to La Nina.

---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:47 PM ----------

Originally posted by angkymac

Interesting anecdote about the contest.
I've shot a long of cracked earth shots, and this one really does stand out very well!
Angky.

Angky, l also appreciate your kind comments regarding my image, thankyou! So glad you like it. It's becoming one of my favourites this year.

GoodD · 12-14-2022, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxian359

Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax!

Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan.

Great!

OrchidJulie · 12-17-2022, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxian359

Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax!

Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan.

I nominate this image

truckpumps · 12-17-2022, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxian359

Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax!

Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan.

Need rain?

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10-31-2022, 04:53 AM - 1 Like	#2
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,566	I think this is an outstanding image that is very well composed. I don't get why some people would have said the trees are irrelevant. They are as relevant as the dried mud in creating the story that this photo tells of drought and its effects. I also like the shallow depth of field with the trees and sky blurred out in the background. Well done!

10-31-2022, 09:00 AM - 1 Like	#3
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,998	I like it, too. The background is clear enough to continue the story in the foreground, which is the subject. Well done!

10-31-2022, 10:14 AM - 1 Like	#4
MikeNArk Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 15,224	Great capture of the "cracked earth". This shot does illustrate the effects of drought very well, and is a scene that is repeated in many areas. I'd say the comments made about the trees are irrelevant.

10-31-2022, 06:25 PM	#5
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 9,032	Interesting anecdote about the contest. I've shot a long of cracked earth shots, and this one really does stand out very well! Angky.

11-01-2022, 10:38 PM	#6
Pentaxian359 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Gippsland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 93 Original Poster	Originally posted by ToddK I think this is an outstanding image that is very well composed. I don't get why some people would have said the trees are irrelevant. They are as relevant as the dried mud in creating the story that this photo tells of drought and its effects. I also like the shallow depth of field with the trees and sky blurred out in the background. Well done! ToddK, thanks so much for your kind appraisal of my image. Really appreciate your comments. Yes, the trees needed to be included to tell the story, they just didn't need to be in focus, as if they're fading away. ---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:41 PM ---------- Originally posted by OrchidJulie I like it, too. The background is clear enough to continue the story in the foreground, which is the subject. Well done! Also appreciate your kind and succinct comment. So glad that everyone here on PF seems to "get" what I was trying to convey, cheers and thanks! ---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:44 PM ---------- Originally posted by MikeNArk Great capture of the "cracked earth". This shot does illustrate the effects of drought very well, and is a scene that is repeated in many areas. I'd say the comments made about the trees are irrelevant. Thanks also MikeNArk, I really couldn't imagine the image with the tree in focus to be honest. In Australia, we are thankfully no longer in drought, I would imagine that to revisit this place now, there would be quite a lot of water in the lake and the 'cracked earth' would now be mud, thanks to La Nina. ---------- Post added 11-02-22 at 04:47 PM ---------- Originally posted by angkymac Interesting anecdote about the contest. I've shot a long of cracked earth shots, and this one really does stand out very well! Angky. Angky, l also appreciate your kind comments regarding my image, thankyou! So glad you like it. It's becoming one of my favourites this year.

12-14-2022, 08:50 PM	#7
GoodD Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Photos: Albums Posts: 50	Originally posted by Pentaxian359 Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax! Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan. Great!

12-17-2022, 11:04 AM	#8
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,998	Originally posted by Pentaxian359 Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax! Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan. I nominate this image

12-17-2022, 04:44 PM	#9
truckpumps Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 448	Originally posted by Pentaxian359 Although having used f11 on the Pentax DFA 2.8 24-70mm lens, this image seems to have a very shallow depth of field. At a recent local Camera Club competition, it achieved a Second place. Then during the Judging, there was a fairly active discussion between a couple of members and the Judge who was present. Some of the judges (previous) verbal comments were that he initially wasn't sure, however, he kept coming back to it as he liked the amount of focus kept low in the image. He also noted that all other details, i.e. the tree line, were irrelevant, the Title of the image is "Cracked Earth" after all. I feel that the commentary from the other members meant that they didn't like the image. They also don't shoot Pentax! Would like to acknowledge the generosity of Ivan in providing the lenses for this competition, thanks Ivan. Need rain?