Getting most out of your point and shoot: DoF

I used a Olympus D560 Point & Shoot until I got a Canon 350D / Rebel XT a month ago. The 350D is a very nice camera and has some awesome features. I have been able to take pictures that I could never ever think of capturing using my Olympus D560 Zoom.

I have experimented with low light subjects, used super slow shutter speeds and controlled the depth of field using manual controls. I could have never thought of doing these things using Olympus Point and Shoot.

I still love the small Olympus Point and Shoot just because of the mobility it gives me - put it in your pocket and you are off. Apart from the mobility, it has given me some serious quality shots, that frankly can be passed off as taken with a high worth gear ;-)

This photo of a "Zebra Finch" taken at Kamati Baug Zoo in Baroda is a great example of what a simple Point and Shoot camera can deliver.

Did you notice the "Depth of Field" in action here - check how the surface is out of focus to start with, then comes in focus with bird is sharp and towards the top of head again starts to blur out.

Here is the trick:
You can also get this kind of effect once you use this little tip. Considering it's a fully automatic camera, set up your camera to take macro picture and this will get some blur effect.

What happens inside the camera:
Internally, the camera chip will open up the aperture to let more light in (as it is programmed for macro modes). Result will be shallow depth of field with similar effect to the Finch example.

Here is another example to end this post. Here also I used the same trick to get blur effect.

That's it for today. Get out and experiment with your point and shoot. They are not as crappy as people classify them.