whoever said a good photo must be in focus?

[GeneW]

This one happened to me a short while back. I had previously been using a Stylus Epic and forgot to focus the XA:

I think I actually like it better this way. I posted it on flickr and within a day it was selected for Explore. So why do I bother dreaming about Summicrons?

Gene

 

[FrankS]

I agree that perfect focus (and sharpness) is over-rated. A strong subject/photo content can transcend the need for technical perfection. This farther renders the quest for the "best" lens just plain silly. The eye of the photographer is THE most important factor in the creation of a successful image. A killer image can be made with very modest equipment if the photographer is skillful.

 

[lZr]

More to come

More to come

And there are more possibilities - be in focus and no motion, but with selective blur, or, selective focused - Lensbaby lens

 

[aad]

Now, I had decided this was to be discarded-I sometimes try things by GZ method, aka "guess zone". Still, I kind of liked it, but thought I was being weird.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

It was always my impression that if an image were sharp and in focus with no motion blur, then it was very unlikely to be considered "art."
If there happens to be a recognizable subject then it's doubly damned.

I wholeheartedly disagree with people who wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. People like little boxes.

I think you can have both sharp and in focus, and blur and oof, any combination, it doesn't matter what, and you can have a good image. Many call this "distracting" :

This is sharp and in focus with no motion blur. I was hoping this were considered "art":


Selective focus, no motion blur, "but" main subject out of focus:

Funny thing is, it is doubly damned when people don't recognize the ("distracting") subject

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

GeneW, Doctor Zero and visiondr: looking good

 

[aad]

While I'm at it, non RF..

 

[varjag]

Cool stuff Gabriel!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Thank you, Eugene.

 

[ray_g]

I agree with Frank. Sharpness is important, but is way down the list of what makes a good photo. Fortunately, the things higher up on the list cannot be bought.

Here's my OOF shot:

 

[Trius]

Gene: Maybe you should just get some Lomos and Dianas.

 

[varjag]

You don't need a crap camera to make an unsharp image

 

[nico]

A lot of good stuff!
here some of mine outoffocus or blurry I like:

"Gaia"
"dancing slow"
"Elide"
"Running"


Ciao
Nico



P.S. I can only agree with Frank.

 

[DavidH]

Here's my OOF shot:

Excellent - I'd be proud of a shot such as this...art to be sure...

and Wintoid - that's a lovely, happy shot...can see why you like it so much...

content is king

 

[rover]

My favorite shot ever in the RFF gallery.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1645&ppuser=510

 

[nksyoon]

Motion blur and a little camera movement:

Motion blur and more camera movement:

Motion blur and camera all over the place:

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

nksyoon:

I like all three, but most of all the first.

 

[shiro_kuro]

Great thread ! ..... here is one of mine

 

[gareth]

Saw Cartier Bresson's exhibition at the Dean Gallery in Edinburgh the other year.
Quite a few of the snaps were out of focus.

 

[Pherdinand]

heh

heh

Pherd, is it because you didn't want anyone to see your girlfriend's bum cleavage?

i wish it was my gf's bum cleavage
nope
it's because that's how one will see the world at one o'clock in strange rotterdam after a lot of strange drinks shared with strange unknown but very friendly people at the Witte de With art festival.
I guess i just was in the artsy-fartsy mood.