How to blur the background with PANASONIC LUMIX FZ20

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Best to use 'A' (aperture priority mode) and set a small f No (f2.8 to f4).

Use the middle to telephoto end of the zoom range.

Have the background far behind the subject.

Focus on the subject's eyes.

Guy

tramoman@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello,
> I just bought a new panas z20, and I am taking some test shots.
> I know that the digital non SLR have a huge depth of field, but I saw
> some pics on internet using my camera with the background blurred.
>
> So, I was wondering if you can give any advice and tip how to perform
>
> 1) MACRO or CLOSE UP
> 2) PORTRAITS
>
> I know that I theory you should use a telelens and and i.e. F0.8, but
> I found very difficult to focus when I stand 1 or 2mt from the
> subject.
>
> Can somebody can send me any example of picture with the right
> settings (sharp subject and blurred background) of a pana z10 or 20?
>
>
>
> Any help?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <1122118254.482509.143670@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
tramoman@gmail.com wrote:

> Hello,
> I just bought a new panas z20, and I am taking some test shots.
> I know that the digital non SLR have a huge depth of field, but I saw
> some pics on internet using my camera with the background blurred.
>
> So, I was wondering if you can give any advice and tip how to perform
>
> 1) MACRO or CLOSE UP
> 2) PORTRAITS
>
> I know that I theory you should use a telelens and and i.e. F0.8, but I
> found very difficult to focus when I stand 1 or 2mt from the subject.
>
> Can somebody can send me any example of picture with the right settings
> (sharp subject and blurred background) of a pana z10 or 20?
>
>
>
> Any help?

You need to experiment. The precise settings depend on your subject and
the distance between your camera and your subject. In am not familiar
with your particular camera, but the concept does not vary between
cameras. If your camera has an aperture priority mode, use it and try
adjusting the aperture and see what it gets you. Start with the largest
aperture (small number) and then go from there. Just shoot the same
subject from the same vantage point on each aperture setting to see what
results you get.

That's the great thing about digital photograph, it costs nothing to
experiment with your camera.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 23 Jul 2005 04:30:54 -0700, tramoman@gmail.com wrote:

> Can somebody can send me any example of picture with the right settings
> (sharp subject and blurred background) of a pana z10 or 20?

As others have said, use Aperture mode set to the widest aperture.
While one of the previous suggestions to focus on the subjects eyes
is probably a good starting point, try this.

1. Take the pictures as close to the subject as possible, which
will increase the blurring of the background. Anything you can do
to reduce the focusing distance will help maximize the background
blur.

2. Some cameras I've seen have one or two macro modes, and if the
camera isn't in any of the macro modes may not focus properly if the
subject is too close. For example, the Fuji S5100 has a macro mode
that focuses nicely from very close distances out to a bit more than
6 feet. If I'm not using macro mode, then focusing can be difficult
if the lens is zoomed to a long focal length and the subject
distance is less than 6 feet.

3. Don't just try to focus on the eyes. Since you already have too
much depth of field, take advantage of it. Try focusing closer than
the eyes. If there's nothing in the frame slightly closer than the
eyes to focus on, the subject could hold a focusing aid a couple of
inches in closer while you depress the shutter half-way, or you
could move a couple of inches closer to the subject, focus on the
eyes, and when the focus locks, back off a couple of inches before
taking the picture.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 23 Jul 2005 12:18:23 -0700, tramoman@gmail.com wrote:

> WOW!
> It works! Thanks a lot guys for your tips!

You're welcome. You've got a nice camera, and if you're lucky,
you'll still be learning new ways to do things with it even a year
or two from now.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 00:04:59 -0400, Stacey <fotocord@yahoo.com> wrote:

>King Sardon wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:38:39 +0100, "Bigguy" <bigguy@somewhere.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Use the middle to telephoto end of the zoom range.
>>>
>> For the same image size, the focal length does not affect depth of
>> field.
>
>Yes but the objects at infinity BEHIND the subject will be larger using a
>longer focal length so the DOF of that portion of the image IS affected. Go
>try it yourself and see.

I'm struggling with the term "DOF of that portion of the image" since
each image has only one DOF. But certainly, selecting a different
focal length while maintaining the image size of the subject gives a
different perspective and that will change the appearance of the
background.

KS