Okay, sorry for the delay, friends. I had hoped that this challenge would have those of you who shoot more landscape images try for some wider DOF or softer images, but clearly I am one of the few here who embraces focus and blur in the same image. No matter, I enjoyed seeing the entries. ?
1.
@Allyance Nice separation between the foreground and background and I like the autumn colors in the background. I find the top right corner to be a bit distracting with the blown sky and that hint of tree spotting the sky area. Still, the red/green color play of the subject is interesting.
2.
@OldMacs4Me I know you are often limited with what gear you take out with you when on the water. I almost put a caveat into my OP about not wanting a blurry subject but then I had listed ICM as a specific option, which of course makes the entire frame blurry. I love that you push your gear (and apparently yourself) to make the shot, but I do wish you hadn't clipped the wings at the top of the frame, and I also wish the image had more space on the left side for the bird to "move" through. I do love the colors of the bird, though, that blue is quite striking.
3.
@imac wannabe I love the play of the yellow and purple and your focus on the wings/torso is excellent. Lovely photo
4.
@stillcrazyman wow, this has incredible DOF. The use of leading lines and his perfect inching along. Well done.
5.
@Apple_Glen_UK this image is more about a light flare/leak than blur to me. I like his speckled chin; I do wish his paw wasn't chopped off at the bottom of the frame.
6.
@deep diver I am thinking this is an image that you zoomed while shooting? It's interesting, abstract like ICM would be.
7.
@Fravin Yes, another shallow DOF image. The sunset is pretty; I wish there was a single leaf on the tree as a focal point. The in focus twig competes with the sun for my attention, but the color is spectacular.
8.
@someoldguy Daffodils are really hard to shoot in my opinion, and you did well with this. They often lose contrast in camera but you've managed to maintain that and I like that the fluting is orange and just a bit darker. There does seem to be a lot of dust on your image though?
9.
@tizeye yes, a good use of long exposure to create blur. This was not a scenario I had thought of as I rarely shoot long exposures. It looks like a peaceful spot.
10.
@Clix Pix I hope your eye is better by now! I love the DOF in this and the streaky background. The image overall seems just a bit soft, I am not sure if it is a poor upload? But great use of light and managing the full sun.
11.
@gaswerks Panning! I don't do it often but I love the concept and this is an excellent example. You've done a great job keeping his head in total focus.
12.
@Janichsan well, yes, this is an example of blur, but unfortunately, to me it seems more missed focus than purposeful. I actually really love the framing and composition but do wish the flower was in focus rather than the wall.
ETA:
13. @Darmok N Jalad yes, this definitely has a blur, but not quite what I'd had in mind for this particular challenge. I do love the combination of zinnias and butterflies but wish the blur was bokeh only and not too slow of a shutter speed for the monarch. I adore the color combo though.
14. @oblomow A great use of depth of field here. Just enough bokeh to make out the stringed instruments in the background and very good storytelling with the frame within the frame. Just a touch overexposed though.
Okay, thanks to all who participated in my off the wall challenge. ?
Places as follows:
3.
@imac wannabe
2.
@stillcrazyman
1.
@gaswerks
Honorable mentions ?? for Darmok and Oblomow ?? since I'm a dummy!
