TAOP - Exercise: Focus with a set Aperture

The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate how 'in focus' elements of a composition draw the eye and can lead the viewer into a shot or in a particular direction. Depending on the desired effect of the piece the compositions focal point will be selected with an intent. Picking a focus point can be an important aspect and awareness of where to place focus is therefore something to be practiced.

The focus here is on the nearest thistle drawing the eye to the subject matter clearly.



Here the focus is selected on one of the subjects at a mid point, is still has some interest but things seems a little off balance.



Finally we have focus toward the rear of the row of plants, the furthest thistle away from the camera. It draws the eye through the picture, its a natural 'like' feeling that we are used to, so it feels correct.



I would favor the first shot. The focus delivers the subject and the out of focus elements shows us there 'are more' but we concentrate of those nearest, we would naturally study something that takes the least effort therefore the closest of a group.