Exercise 9. Focal lengths for camera with variable focal lengths.

The brief for this exercise was to locate subject or view, that has some detail in the distance and in the middle of the view.  
Take a sequence of photographs, all aimed in same direction, using different settings on the lens selected.
Change orientation of camera if images benefit from this.


I chose to travel a short distance along the highway from Sohar towards Khaburrah, to Sawairah roundabout,  which is distinguished by 8 artificial palm trees arranged in the centre...all of uniform height and adorned with dates.  Whatever the season or weather these palm trees brighten up the highway before reaching Sohar and its coastline to the right off the roundabout.
Positioning myself on waste land, alongside the busy slip road allowed me to take my shots when the roundabout at this point was free from traffic.  Placing myself midway between  junctions gave me enough time to take photographs when there were no vehicles in view.


Equipment used.


Nikon D7000
Nikkor 55-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 lens
Tripod
Aperture Priority
ISO 100 
White Balance Auto
Manual Focus

Fig 1.     55mm    f/10.0    1/80s

Wide angle view.

In this photograph there is a large amount of vegetation dominating the scene, the roundabout is clearly seen centrally and in the background two housing blocks can be seen.

Fig 2.   70mm    f/10.0    1/125s

An increase in focal length, highlights a narrower angle of view.  

Vegetation again, the roundabout is less easily distinguished in this photograph

Fig. 3    80mm    f/4.5    1/500s

To create a slightly better composition I chose a vertical orientation  here.

Foreground and background are in focus, and the field of view is significantly narrowed.

Fig 4.    125mm    f/10.0    1/100s

Spatial relationship of the trees has changed, compared to Fig 2.

Fig 5.    135mm   f/10.0    1/125s

There is less distraction in this image, the tree to the left is slightly out of focus due to the focal point being the centre palm tree

Fig 6.    300mm    f/10.0    1/125s

An informal frame within a frame. The two palm trees frame the decorative stonework, surrounding an arched window

If I were able to take this again I would position myself to the right slightly to enable me to centre the two smaller windows.

Foreground has gone.

Fig 7.    300mm    f/10.0    1/125s

Foreground and background have gone, tops of palm trees are centre stage.

My thoughts on this exercise

I quite enjoyed this exercise, but looking critically at my photographs, I would have tried to photograph somewhere less busy!  The vegetation in these photographs is dominant and at the time of setting up the camera I thought they would frame the photograph but to me it did not work.  The blocks of housing in the background  are fighting for attention. 

And oh how I wish we could have clouds in the sky, here in Oman we seldom see them.  

What I have learnt....

• As lens is zoomed in so the magnification factor increases and the field of view narrows.
• A wide angle of view, produces a large depth of field, good for landscapes
• With my lens, the angle of view narrows, the depth of field decreases and subjects far away appear closer and larger.
• Had to use the tripod to eliminate camera shake