Simple home photography tips using cheap 50mm 1.8 lens and

1. HomePhotography: DOP Test
I don’t usually like F22 Aperture
I always wanted to try and practice Photography. But due to the lack of studio equipment and
lighting, I pursue my photography career into HomePhotography that rarely utilize the use of a
Flash.
Not all people have money to purchase studio lighting. Instead, I tried to use natural light source to
practice and develop my photography skills that are rusted by time. After reading tons of books
about photography, I’ve decided to open a new blog about photography or writings that have
photography in it.
I am never interested in developing photography further using filters, image editing, and models. I
found it really interesting to practice simple photography to release stress and boost my confidence.
As an individual who love both stories photos, I’ve decided to share my experience as a photographer
and a Writer.
After Practicing after a little while in mastering Aperture, Shutter speed and Film Speed, I can now
control the variables that may influence to the greatness of the photographs I am taking. This is One
of my shots awhile ago. This is shot using my Canon60D and 50mm 1.8 Lens. This photograph is
with F/22, ISO 100 and with shutter speed of 1/30. This was taken in our mini-garden this morning
at 8:00am.

2. I found it really amusing to practice photography during weekends. I am bored to go and travel
outside, I believe that I need to refine my basic photography first before letting myself to be robbed
by an unknown person.
DOP TEST
Most people do not know what is DOP means. “Depth of Field” or DOP is also known
as “bokeh” photography which means blur in the Japanese Language. ”Macro Photography” is also
associated when we speak of Depth of Field.
People enjoy seeing image with Shallow Depth of field. It allows them to have that very creamy
“bokeh” background, while having their subject on full focus. Macro photography is best using lens
that has low aperture rate from f/1.2 to f/2.6. In order to get the most out of your lens aperture, you
need to work your ass up using the manual mode. Manual Dial in Canon is the “M” mode.
The problem with people with less knowledge about the Dials and properties in the camera is lying
within their knowledge on controlling and adjusting with the properties of the camera. “If you want
to be a professional photographer, you need to have the guts to get out and learn first by the books
before hitting the shutter button”. Understand the properties such as white balance, ISO, Aperture,
and Shutter Speed. Without knowing these properties, you can never move forward due to the
limitations of Automatic mode.
this image was taken using a canon60D with 50mm f/1.8 lens.
The Difference of Wide and Narrow Aperture
This photo is shot using the same angle but with different aperture. I’ve used f/1.8 and higher shutter speed of
1/1250. The photo is looking quite attractive compared with the photo above.

3. The wide aperture produces more shallow depth of field comparing with narrow aperture. By having
a wide aperture such as f/1.8 would allow you to have a creamy “bokeh” background while having the
subject focused.
A lot of people wanted bokeh in their photograph. The creamy background makes an ordinary photo
to out stand. It lets audience to focus on the subject while blurring out the background which still
provides that sweet-looking blurry background in the photo.
You may need to understand that having a shallow depth of field may cut detail in a whole subject.
Appropriate aperture still applies in having a blurry background but without cutting or blurring any
part of the subject.
Why Pick 50mm f/1.8 over Kitlens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6?
This is my personal preference. Some people would disagree with me after saying “50mm f/1.8 is the
best lens for training basic photography and for Portrait Photography” In model or portrait
photography, the subject needs to be highlighted in the photo. This would lead the eyes of the
viewers to the model and the details within the face of the model. Using wide aperture lens like
50mm f/1.8 would help you to achieve the look and blur that you are looking for to highlight the
model.
In the other hand, Kit-lens with aperture of f/3.5-5.6 would also allow you to have 50mm of focal
length, but it wont provide you wide aperture of 1.8 or 2.6 that gives bokeh to an image. There are
many restrictions in having aperture of 3.6-5.6. Problems with “contralouse” or against the light is
problem with lenses with narrow aperture.
Why Select Wide Aperture?
Prime Lens such as 50mm could be compared with a “pro L-Lens” for its quality. Take note that the
ISO is responsible for controlling the amount of light needed in a single photograph. It serves like a
bucket of water, while the Shutter speed acts as the the speed of the water that will be poured in the
bucket. On the other hand, the Aperture acts as the opening of the hose or the source of the water.
The wider the aperture, the more light coming into the sensor of the camera. However, having a
narrow aperture in low-light situation requires more ISO to balance and increase the gain of light
needed by a photograph. The Disadvantage of Higher ISO would be noise or “grain”.

4. shot using natural light, no background except the landscaping in our home and used wide aperture
to achieve bokeh

5. When taking photographs, do not hesitate to try the manual mode for convinience. This would allow
you to understand the properties of a camera, and know the proper settings that would create a
photograph with your full control over the brightness, contrast the the crisp of the image. Also,
selecting Lens with wide aperture would provide you acess into low-light photography with less grain
on the photo.
Follow this blog more to know more about photography and other stuff.
- saydegian