Selective focus assignment

Shoot a roll of 36exp (TMAX 100) film.
Decide what the subject of your image will be. Then, try to get just that object in focus, while the other elements of the image are out of focus. Remember, there are three things that affect you DOF (depth of field)...

1) Aperture (lower f-stop gives you a more shallow DOF, i.e. 2.8)

2) Subject to Camera distance (the closer you are to the subject
the more shallow the DOF)

3) Lens length ( long lenses have a more shallow DOF/200mm is longer than 14mm)

Just a few tips...
Try to compose your images so that the elements that are out of focus support, or at least do not detract from you main subject. Think of the image with the sandy toes in the foreground and the little girl with goggles in the background. Don’t forget about the rule of thirds or other compositional elements. When composing your shot, try to come up with the most interesting way of presenting what you see. You may try a very low angle, or something differnt than eye level. Eye level may be what works best,but don’t just let it be an automatic default. This is a great assignment to emphasize texture. When shooting an object with texture, side light, rather than light that is straight on, can really bring out the details.

Aim to keep you meter balanced for each shot. If your subject is in totally different light than the rest of the image, meter for the subject exclusively. You can do that by keeping the subject in the light it will be photographed in, but moving in close to fill the frame with the subject and get the meter reading just off of them instead of the whole scene. Then step back, recompose, and shoot with the reading you got off of the subject. If the lighting is relatively the same for your subject and the rest of the scene, meter as normal.

Be creative. Give yourself some dedicated time to work on this assignment. You may generate ideas ahead of time, or just let yourself become inspired and inquisitive as you begin to shoot-but allow yourself to spend time shooting. That is the only way you will develop your skills during this semester. Some people are inspired by hanging our with friends, others by taking a walk in a field. Part of being creative is giving yourself the space you need to get the creative juices flowing. Whatever it is that inspires you, make time for it this week- that’s part of your homework. Then, produce images, not snapshots. Let yourself have fun and enjoy this process.