Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MacRumors Readers Share Beautiful Depth-of-Field Photos Shot With iPhone 7 Plus
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It can be the case. It is not always or automatically the case, but selective focus can make an image, as can a crop. Look at the barbed wire image above. Without shallow DoF there would be no image.
Not all (or even many) boring images can be improved this way, but some images that are great wouldn't be with back-to-front depth of focus. Surely, that's easy to understand?
I don't know why you're arguing with me then, as it seems we are saying the same thing. My argument was that shallow DoF does not itself make a photo. If a photo is boring, adding shallow DoF does not magically make it less boring. A good photo would employ all the tools of the trade to make it good. That original photo shown in this article of a bush is just a boring snapshot, it is not interesting nor is it interesting with the shallow DoF, just as the dog poop picture isn't suddenly cool because it has shallow DoF.
We're arguing because you seem to have an urge to belittle people for their choice of tools.
You may think it's boring, and you're entitled to your opinion, but I'm guessing that the photographer would disagree. The image is certainly a lot more interesting because of the out-of-focus background than it would be otherwise.
In any case, I don't think the image was chosen to appear in the article primarily because of its artistic merits, but because it exemplifies the shallow DoF effect achievable with the 7Plus.
The crux of the matter is that in general (across many fields) things that used to be hard or expensive to do sometimes become easy or cheap through technology. People that have spent a lot of effort or money to master the hard or expensive stuff become defensive when that happens, as if their life's work were suddenly being devalued. This prevents them from seeing the merits of the new.
Last edited:
Hooray, now we'll have a thread full of photography snobs talking about how their DSLR is sooooo much better and how these photos look terrible by comparison.
Exactly what I was about to write.
Fine, so you'll agree then that dog turds with a shallow DoF are quite interesting because it's all up to the person behind the camera. Understood, shallow DoF is all we need!
I guess the most hilarious take away from this thread is that people think technology somehow removes the art in photography or anything else. Anyone arguing the idea that the camera somehow makes you better is a fool, that would mean by now we should have all surpassed Ansel Adams and others because the technology has advanced.
Also, I really don't think anyone who has "mastered" photography is worried about the 7+ and DoF. Enjoy the effects guys, I do indeed hope that it helps people produce more interesting photos.
Last edited:
I really don't know where you're pulling that from. I was talking about a specific image posted in the article, you keep talking about dog turds. Where does that fixation come from? The art, craft or pastime of photography cannot be reduced to dog turds.
Well said. If your photography business only depends on your technical skill, gear or the ability to throw the background out of focus it might be time to start looking for some ways to differentiate yourself creatively.
The time is coming when everyone will be able to take a technically correct high quality photo. To set yourself apart work on telling a story and capturing gesture or emotion.
You continue to make the assertion that shallow DoF makes a photo interesting, that's where the dog turd photo comes into play, it's just an example of something that proves shallow DoF does not just make a photo interesting. I'm done discussing the topic really, if you believe that shallow DoF makes a photo, more power to you.
I think you said it all
.Sorry but those aren't good photos. They document something, but they are far from being good photography.
Over what? I don't make my living off photography at all and it is simply a hobby that gets me out to explore awesome places. I just tire of the mentality that stuff like this makes something better by default. It's the same with rubbish over-processing via HDR and all of that.
But yeah, guess I am just insecure.
[doublepost=1475166506][/doublepost]
I think you said it all
Sorry but those aren't good photos. They document something, but they are far from being good photography.
Dude, I wouldn't even waste your time here, you'll just be listed as a "snob with DSLR" and whatnot. Sad but hey, that seems to be MR for ya!
Depth of field? My god, welcome to 1884....
Seriously, this is why people still need real cameras with manual controls.
What do you call cameras with manual control? DSLR? Point and shoot? (this ones are dead because no one gives a crap about them) The ones that you have to fiddle with them, and then you have to connect the SD card (if that has not been corrupted) to and USB port, transfer the collection on PC before you can publish? Nah, rather snap and share with one tap. Maybe the first was exceptionable a decade ago but not now. But yeah, professionals would still want the highest quality achieved only by DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
Who thinks that??
Indeed, and what the iPhone represents is getting by with less camera, not more.
I'm sure he would appreciate the possibilities afforded by technological progress that we can enjoy today.
Why is it a stupid idea? It works very well in some circumstances. It's still in beta and Apple stated it won't work in all circumstances, but it works well in many portraits.
People don't want to carry a large DSLR everywhere they go. It is heavy and cumbersome. People already carry their phones with them everywhere they go; this is a great tool to have at your disposal. Many people like to just share their photos online nowadays and apply filters, so this effect is great for that since it does not require all of the details to be perfect and replicates what you would achieve with a much larger camera.
This is not meant to replace a DSLR, it is simply another tool to add to your cell phone photo experience.
Wouldn't it be impressive if it looked like real bokeh?
Cool they are trying fun stuff with optics but whatever the lenses can actually do on their own will always look nicer than this auto filter software thingy.
Cool they are trying fun stuff with optics but whatever the lenses can actually do on their own will always look nicer than this auto filter software thingy.
If you are shooting for yourself, use whatever tool and technique you find fun and don't worry about what anyone thinks.
The best thing, for me, about photography is that it causes you to see the world differently. You notice beautiful light and start to see compositions all around you, even when you don't have a camera in hand. It gets you outdoors and in to places you normally wouldn't go.
Carry a DSLR and an iPhone. The phone might work better on the street and be less intimidating to people. You might get more candid emotion. Do whatever makes you happy, its your art. Print it and hang it and own it.
The best thing, for me, about photography is that it causes you to see the world differently. You notice beautiful light and start to see compositions all around you, even when you don't have a camera in hand. It gets you outdoors and in to places you normally wouldn't go.
Carry a DSLR and an iPhone. The phone might work better on the street and be less intimidating to people. You might get more candid emotion. Do whatever makes you happy, its your art. Print it and hang it and own it.
You can buy a more expensive guitar, but it wont make you play any better. Again, no clue why you seem to believe I am arguing against the iPhone camera. I have a 7 and enjoy it quite a bit, many improvements over cameras through the years. The reality is it doesn't matter what anyone here thinks, skill can't be purchased and a boring photo is just that regardless of what filters you want to apply to it.
I think you said it all
Sorry but those aren't good photos. They document something, but they are far from being good photography.
What is a good photo ?
This is just taken photos of nothing, i will not publish photos from my child for an example. This is just how people take ordinary photo when they take up a camera and shoot.
I had several DSLR´s because i loved the Bokeh effect, but for 9 of 10 times i needed to carry a bag for all equipment, several linses and so on. For now i use the iPhone for all photos and i am pleased with the photo iPhone 7 produce. Yes it´s not a DSLR compared camera, far away but who cares ? I am not interested to induce big wall of my photos. It´s for my personal use. The best camera is the camera you carry with you.
I am not a Pro and for the most of the people i don´t think they are either. I published this because i think someone could think it useful to compare a DSLR with an iPhone and of most case i think iPhone users don´t use iPhone 7 for
professional mission
Printing makes you appreciate it that much more. I finally started to print and hang some things this year.
Check out the "Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera" Series by DigitalRev if you want to see what a lego or barbie toy camera can do in the hands of a great photographer. It's a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7ECB90D96DF59DE5
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7ECB90D96DF59DE5