I'm assuming that aperture value might refer to the open aperture, which will vary with a zoom lens. The f/stop will be the actual aperture set.

So an f/2 lens perhaps set at f/8.

Do the actual figures confirm this possibility?

I did realise David that some would latch on to that, but I guess it makes the point. On ePHOTOzine nobody has mentioned that at all. On Facebook it's not been mentioned that it's blurred but the point that has been brought out is that it's liked as a "moody teenager" shot that makes Beth look much older than her 11 years. Her mum loves it.

I think I'm angling towards more of a Julia Margaret Cameron thing so the technical quality can go by the board for that. What then eludes us is that inner character that she managed to pull from her subjects. The processing I applied was to identify the age group of the subject, so iPhone and Snapseed would have done it I guess, but here I've used my K-5. Probably I should have made sure that the far eye and chin/cheek area were as unsharp as the rest.

Thanks for comments so far!

It's a point of discussion DrOrloff that begs the question, are we so wedded to the idea of technical perfection that we are in danger of losing the joy of photography?

The feedback has hinted at the edges of that possible debate. I think we should think about these things to help prevent getting into a rut.

Before we get distracted, the point of focus has nothing whatsoever to do with AF adjustment. What caused that was Beth storming about the crowds at Whitby and I was simply slightly too slow. She moved.

So, the aesthetic response is interesting because I've also posted it on Facebook, where the various mums who have kids Beth's age absolutely loved it.

It's not a technically perfect or even good shot, but what it does do is resonate positively with the sensibilities of a different, non-photographic audience. That I suppose is why compact cameras have suffered as people grab spontaneous images on their phones. Then they manipulate them and produce a different sort of photo art.

This is part of my process of freeing the creative mind from the constraints of 1950s technical perfection.

The rules here only cover people not contravening other people's copyright.

If someone posts a variation to be helpful, that's fine as long as the copyright holder is fine with it. If not, then it would have to be removed.

The picture was shot at Whitby last week. The first version is this:


The second version is after I've experimented a bit in Photoshop:



All comments are welcomed!

I hate it when that happens. I'm sure the delivery vans hide round the corner waiting for us to nip out for a few minutes.....

You've overcome the first hurdle, being brave enough to tackle people on the street. They seem to be reacting well to you, so you must be doing it right.

The close ups are fine, that's what you're aiming for so stick with your plan and you'll build up a good selection.

I do think technically they lack a little punch though, so I'd beef up the contrast a bit, especially for black and white. Then maybe just a tad more sharpening on some of them.

It's great to have a project you can get your photographic teeth into!

That's great, good colour and lots of detail.

I very rarely need to clean a lens, but always use a lens cap in the bag and lens hood when in use.

Cleaning is simple. Use a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, well washed and clean. Flick any dust off, breath lightly on the lens and when the moisture has evaporated wipe carefully with the cloth.

Done properly, works like a dream, although having cleaned a lens beautifully for my daughter she did make the ultimate insult of "You must have a very good cleaning cloth..." Hmmm.