The Creative’s Corner

One thing about northern Arizona, you never know what you’re going to see.

I was driving on 89A a few miles outside of Flagstaff, when I came across a herd of hundreds of sheep. People stopped on the side of the road to see them. I only had my little point-and-shoot, but you can get an idea of how many sheep were there. My little camera didn’t do too baa…d!

Have Fun,
Jeff

In plain English, depth of field is the area in front of, and behind, your subject that is in focus. Your subject can be anything from a mountain to a person’s eye.

There is no sharp delineation between a photograph being “in focus” and “out of focus.” Instead, a picture will gradually go from sharp to blurry. What causes something to look out of focus is often referred to as the “circle of confusion.” This is when a point, whether it’s a pixel or a dot on a print, slide or negative, becomes so blurry that the blur can be detected by the human eye. The blurrier the dot is, the more out of focus it looks.

If you’re taking a picture of a person, you can have a very shallow depth of field, and only their right eye may be in focus. Or you could have a deep depth of field and not only would their entire body be in focus, but so would the mountains behind them, and most of the ground that’s between them and the camera.

It’s important to understand depth of field so you can get the photograph you want. Let’s say you are photographing a person in a crowded situation, like a Renaissance Faire, and you want them to stand out in the photograph. In this case you would use a shallow depth of field. This would throw the crowd behind him out of focus, and since people are drawn toward objects that are in focus, he would stand out in the photograph. On the other hand, if you are standing on the edge of a meadow, and beyond the meadow is the Rocky Mountains, then you could use a deep depth of field, so both the meadow and mountains would be in focus.

Depth of field is a tool, and you need to learn how to use it because it’s in every picture you take, but you can control it to meet your photographic needs.

Here’s how you can control Depth of Field.

• Aperture - The smaller the aperture in a lenses diaphragm, the sharper the picture. Shooting at F 16 will give you a greater depth of field than shooting at F 2. However, you must also consider light diffraction, which occurs in all lenses. Light diffraction is how light scatters in the barrel of a lens. Most light is focused by the lens elements to go directly to the film or sensor in the camera, but some light does just bounce around in the lens. The more light diffraction you have, the less sharp an image will be. Other things affect sharpness too, but that’s another article. As you close down the diaphragm, going from F 2 to F 16, this diffraction decreases, because less light is going through the lens. But there is an optimum F stop where diffraction is at a minimum, and it may not be F 16, it may be F 11 or 8. You will need to test your lens to determine this. But as a rule, F 16 (or 22 or 32) will give you your sharpest image.
• Focal Distance - The closer you are to your subject, the shallower you can make the depth of field. Shoot a person that’s just a few feet away, and you could only have one eye in focus if you want. Shoot that same person with the same lens when they’re 100 feet away, and their entire body will be in focus, and probably much more.
• Focal Length - A shorter lens will give you more depth of field than a longer one. Shoot with a 50 mm lens, and you can get more depth of field than with a 200 mm lens at the same distance.

How do you determine the depth of field for a picture you are taking? It can be simple or complex, but you have three options.

1. Experience. Shoot with your camera, a lot, and you will be able to have a pretty accurate idea. With a digital camera you can see the results instantly.
2. You can use the Preview Button. This button can be found on all 35 mm film cameras, and most 35 mm DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras. When you push the button it closes the diaphragm to whatever F-stop you have the camera set for. I know people that use this technique with great success, but for me it only makes everything dark.
3. Your final option is to use a somewhat complex mathematical formula. I’ve never know anyone to use this method, but if you want to put your high school algebra to use, do an online search and you will find the formula.

To get a feel for depth of field, put a yardstick or tape measure on a table, with one end pointing toward you. Focus on the mid-point of the tape measure and taking pictures at F 2, 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16. You can put a piece of paper in the picture with the F-stop you are using so you can easily compare the images. It may be a little hard to see the change from say F 2 to 3.5, but you will easily see the difference between F 2 and 16. Once you have a good handle on this, go outside and do the same thing, but use what you find outside instead of a tape measure.

Notice how the sharpness of the 25 changes with the f-stop?

With experience, controlling depth of field will become second nature to you, so get out there and start shooting.

Hi Everyone,

Look off to the right, and you’ll see my new free gift for you, “How To Take, Sell and Select Stock Photographs.”

If you’re a photographer, marketer, advertiser, publisher or anyone else who used photographs, you’ll want to read this free gift. It will answer your questions about stock photography, and give you invaluable information about taking and using them.

Have Fun,
Jeff

You need to make writing a habit. There are several techniques that people use to set a routine. You’ll need to experiment to see what works best for you. Try different places, different times, music or no music and so on. I used to do a lot of writing at work when I manned a hotel’s front desk. With slow times, I was able to write for several hours a day. I may have been able to write for only ten or fifteen minute stints, with the occasional two to three hours of undisturbed time, but I wrote. If you have the drive, you’ll take advantage of any time you have to write.

• Schedule a time to write every day. Make it the same time so your mind gets into the habit of writing at that time. This will reduce the internal struggle you may experience not to write.
• Sit down and start writing, and don’t stop, until you have written a certain number of pages or words per day. If you set a goal of three pages a day, then you stay in the chair until those three pages are written.
• Have an area to write. A place where you won’t be disturbed and you know that when you’re there, you’re there to write. I know writers who use closets, basements, spare rooms, laundry rooms, any place as long as it’s your writing place.

This is an excerpt from my book “The Writer’s Answer Book.” Find out more here.

Have Fun,
Jeff

writing

Last month we went with some friends from NACHS (Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society) to visit the V-bar-V site. We were lucky enough to be there for the Spring Equinox, when for about 10 minutes a shaft of sunlight pierces three petroglyphs. In the next week or two I will have pictures of this on my website, Stock Photos Arizona.

The V-bar-V is the largest known petroglyph site in Arizona’s Verde Valley, and one of the best-preserved sites of rock art from the Southern Sinagua of the Beaver Creek Community. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the site is protected and kept open to the public. The site has limited days and hours of operation, so check this out before you go.

Have Fun,
Jeff

All photographs (c) 2009 Jeff Colburn

I have new writers ask me this all the time. For those of you who don’t know, a simultaneous submission is when you send a story, article or book proposal to more than one publisher/publication at the same time. This works great for the writer, since it allows him to hear “Yes” or “No” from several publishers in a short time. It’s bad for publishers/publications because they spend time going over the submission in one or more department meetings to see if it’s right for them. They may even block out space in a publication for the story before contacting the writer. When they do contact the writer they may find that another publication has already bought the story or proposal. Because of this a simultaneous submission must be considered, and a decision reached, more quickly than for other submissions. It puts additional pressure on the publisher or publication. But if they say it’s okay to do this, then go ahead. I always send to publishers that take simultaneous submissions first.

To send a simultaneous submission, first, check the publication’s or publisher’s guidelines to be sure they accept them.  If they do, the rest is easy. Simply write a cover letter as normal, but toward the bottom include, “Be advised that this proposal (or article) is being reviewed by other publishers (or publications). That’s it.

Once you’ve done this, just wait for the offers and contracts to come flooding in. I know, I know.. I’m ROFL.

It does show professionalism if you notify the publishers that someone has purchased your manuscript, so they won’t spend any more time considering your work.

Have Fun,
Jeff

writing

Last weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to the Renaissance Festival in Apache Junction, Arizona. We’ve been going to this fair for 14 years, and love it. I want to share with you the joy we find there, so sit back and relax and see what wonders are to be found at The Faire.

The Faire is filled with beautiful maidens from all walks of life. My favorite, of course, is My Lady, Linda-Ann (above). She is by far the Fairest of the Faire.

There are also amazing performers, like Don Juan and Miguel, who entertain with whips (see the pasta flying) and swordplay, and interlacing everything they do with great comedy. They have also made some Renaissance era movies that are for sale. We have their CD, and all of their DVDs. They really help us get through the trials and tribulations of the Mundane World.

There’s also The Ded Bob Sho, which is filled with risque humor. But then, what would you expect from a lecherous talking skeleton?

For those who like action, you’ll find knights fighting with lance and sword. Look closely, at the jousting picture, and you can see splinters from one of the lances.

The Ancient Art Of Falconry show is not to be missed, as they bring out a variety of birds from around the world, and show you just how fast they can fly, dive and turn. And there’s nothing like having a hawk fly a foot over your head at 30 miles an hour.

You can also see Adam Crack, who holds 6 Guinness World Records for his skills with a whip. On the left he’s using two 22-foot bull whips, and on the right are his flaming whips. Ooh, aah.

Cast In Bronze features one of the few carillons in the world. Weighing over 4 tons, this unique musical instrument features 35 bronze bells of varying sizes. Cast in Bronze has been invited to perform for both Pope John Paul II and the Presidential Inauguration. He offers several CDs of music from this amazing instrument.

The Faire abounds with performs, including jugglers, the flaming ropewalker Dextre Tripp, and a poor Down-On-His-luck dog.

And what would the Faire be without Belly Dancers? You can enjoy Jamila Lotus, Nawari and Ghazaal Beledi.

The Faire is also filled with magic, evidenced by the presence of numerous fairies. Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom (left) is my favorite, as she is the embodiment of sweetness and innocence. Other fairies come in all shapes and sizes, including leaf-like wings and amazing braided hair.

The Faire always ends with all the drummers of the realm coming together to play while everyone dances. A truly joyous way to end the day.

And that’s only some of the magical and amazing things you will experience at the Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace. Have Fun, Jeff. Oh, and that’s me above.

I’ve just posted some great photographs of rainbows on my site, Stock Photos Arizona. Half of these pictures show rainbows by the red rocks of Sedona, and they are breathtaking. Here are a couple of samples.

Head on over to Stock Photos Arizona to see the rest.

Have Fun,
Jeff

All photographs (c) 2009 Jeff Colburn

Linda-Ann and I in Jerome, Arizona.

In order to regularly add new images to my stock photography website, StockPhotosArizona.com, I travel around to different locals in the state. We recently went to Jerome, an old mining town.

Jerome was founded in 1883. While large amounts of gold and silver was mined here, copper was its claim to fame. Over $500,000,000 of copper was mined in the area, and in it’s heyday, over 3,000,000 pounds of copper was mined each month.

The population has gone from a high of 15,000 in the 1920’s, to a low of 50. Today, there are about 400 people living there. The population consists of writers, artists, artisans, musicians, historians and families. You can also find great art galleries and restaurants in Jerome.

I really want to take as many pictures here as I can, because the old buildings won’t be here forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if in ten to fifteen years, all of the old building have either fallen down or been renovated. Here’s a sample of a house that probably won’t last through one more hard winter.

Some areas of the town are unstable, due to the mining, and have a tendency to slowly move downhill. If you look closely at many of the older buildings, you will see cables going around, or through, the structures. These cables are designed to hold the buildings together, much like this same technique used in southern California to help protect older buildings from earthquake damage.

To catch Jerome in it’s best light, you have to get there early because, at this time of year, the sun goes behind the hill by about noon. Once this happens, the town is in shade. I arrived at 9:00 and started shooting. I was able to shoot until about 1:00 by starting at the bottom of town, and working my way uphill. Linda-Ann and I walked around looking for things big and small. I plan on going back another four to five times to get pictures of everything I want. And I’ll go back when it gets snow too.

If you want to see some of the photographs I took in Jerome, head over to my website, StockPhotosArizona.com. I already have over 1,000 pictures of Arizona, including: Flagstaff, Sedona, Oak Creek, Changing Colors and more, so come on over and have a look.

Have Fun,
Jeff

All photographs (c) 2009 Jeff Colburn

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. - Henry Ford

Stay focused on your goal. Looking anywhere else only serves as a distraction.