Picture This!

We're going to get a little more advanced this week and work on learning selective focus. While there are some point and shoot cameras that have some freedom in their focal point selection this is really geared towards SLRs whether they're 35mm or digital..

When you want to make part of your image stand apart from the rest, you use selective focus by literally choosing that specific are to focus on. This can be done by focusing manually or by picking a unique point. For instance, my Canon EOS 30D has 9 focal points for me to choose from.

By doing this, the other parts of your image aren't sharp therefore making your eye find the part of the image that is sharp. Longer zoom lenses are better equipped for making the subject stand out because of the greater difference in aperatures and depth of field.

Let me show you what I'm talking about.

This is a mock version of what I see through the lens. There are 9 focal points to choose from.

Now you can see that I intentionally focused on the desserts on the lower shelf on the rght.

These delicious goodies are at Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavillion in Epcot.

Stay tuned for Scott and Barrie as they present their photos on Thursday and Saturday.