Steve, As a rule of thumb, I like to vary the DOF to emphasize the subject at hand. That generally means fairly narrow DOF when the subject is a single, main object and fairly wide DOF when the subject is a collection of objects (landscapes come to mind).
A simple technique I use that really helps finalize what to use for DOF is to do basic composition, then while holding in the DOF lever/button, move the aperture ring back and forth several times slowly while watching the DOF change. It is a bit like zooming the focal length but instead zooming the DOF. After going back and forth several times, I can start to see where I would like it to be. This doesn't work on fast moving subjects as you can imagine. But it can be used at the beginning of a session to generally decide with a given lens and environment. As a side note, less DOF control (narrower range of F stops) in consumer zooms is one of my dislikes of them vs. primes. Bruce Tuesday, October 15, 2002, 8:27:52 AM, you wrote: SD> This is a techniques/opinions/experiences thread . . . SD> I was always a big fan of telephotos, it has been a real change to use SD> my new Pentax 20-35 zoom. In particular, I'm learning whole new ways to SD> think about depth of field. With this in mind, the big question is: SD> How do you think about DOF in the artistic sense and how does that SD> manifest itself in you photography? SD> What I'm looking for here is personal tendencies. Do you like maximum SD> sharpness everywhere of narrow selection with nice bokeh. Yes, I know SD> that it depends on the subject (portrait vs. landscape) but I'm looking SD> for the range of personal expression. SD> Steven Desjardins SD> Department of Chemistry SD> Washington and Lee University SD> Lexington, VA 24450 SD> (540) 458-8873 SD> FAX: (540) 458-8878 SD> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
