I discovered a free online camera course A Year With My Camera. One of the things that are encouraged is to start with taking 30 photographs; the list is given to you. No5. Was “Abstract”. This seemed to me to be very daunting- I struggle to take a “normal” image! However I went online and found this web site “Expert Photography”. . I had no idea there were so many techniques to discover. I found one that a total beginner could do called “Zoom Burst”. You can do it using the basic kit lens zoom, or another zoom. I used to 16-55 Sony kit lens.
The technique is described beautifully here.
Basically you choose a slow shutter speed. Apertures should be smaller, as the slow shutter speed will be letting in lots of light.
Using a tripod was essential. I also chose a static subject for the first time.
You turn off auto focus, and then quickly zoom in all the way. You can also zoom out all the way twisting the focus ring.
Here is my first attempt:
f/18, 1/13 sec, ISO 100, 22mm
You can see there is still a lot in focus. The point is to intentionally blur the image
Second shot:
f22, 1/5 sec, ISO 100, 20mm
After a few more attempts this emerged:
f/22, 3/5 sec, ISO 100 26mm, EC +0.3
The blurring is happening, but it is over exposed.
At last I got this:
f/22, 1/4 sec, ISO 100, EC -0.3 22mm
I looked at in amazement, and felt an incredible sense of achievement.
I also like this one for the colors:
. This was a different subject to the previous one. You will see I went as far as f/32 , which was unheard of for me! I also used a slower shutter speed 1 sec, ISO 100, EC 0, and focal length was 19 mm.
This exercise really took me out of my comfort zone, and helped me feel less afraid of the camera. It helped me understand more about focussing and distance to the subject, but most of all it was fun, and unpredictable.
I will definitely be attempting more abstract images going forward.
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