Do blurred foregrounds work?

[kckong]

Just came out of the spectator stands over at the Chinese Candles gladiator pit ... hahaha was like seeing someone thrown to the lions

Got me thinking about DOF plays and how blurred foregrounds normally give me eye-ache. Can anyone out there post up any examples of nice pics with a blurred foreground as an "artistic element"? Or does it never work? Why?

[smlee]

Mobsterman,

What do you think of this pic?

[kckong]

Thanks for posting your pic smlee. I don't think I'm technically qualified to comment on your pic. But perhaps you can give more background info about it. Without some contextual info it'll be difficult to appreciate and comment. eg did you purposely include that blur foreground to frame your subject? was it a "stolen" shot ie subject didn't know you were shooting her?

In any case, she's got a lovely smile! Your daughter?

[bimmer]

Got me thinking about DOF plays and how blurred foregrounds normally give me eye-ache. Can anyone out there post up any examples of nice pics with a blurred foreground as an "artistic element"? Or does it never work? Why?

It does work. Whether its "artistic" is up to the viewer or photographer. I have no examples of my own but ive seen other pics of such. Usually like blurred fence at a race track (not panning), blurred bars at a zoo, etc. These tend to be journalistic with an element of (maybe) stealth in it?

[Brian]

Blurred foregrounds can help to add a sense of depth, environment, and "candidness" (yes, I know that's not a word but you get my drift).

[kckong]

I just noticed one example of blurred foreground in Syahrin's Najib & Sofia thread - pic #2
'http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18680 (http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18680)
There he picks out a lone person standing up & praying amongst many seated. It's a nice image IMHO - though could be better if the bokeh was smoother for the lady in the middle - the blur of her specs a bit distracting?

Bimmer, yeah stealth or stolen shots seems to be the keyword - I've also seen many images where people are isolated from a crowd / group with blurred foregrounds.

Blurred foregrounds can help to add a sense of depth, environment, and "candidness"

Brian, any samples for demo?

[Brian]

Brian, any samples for demo?I have some candid shots from bookstores & coffe shops at home. I'm sure there are some in there. I'll look through the negs & try to find something when I get back tonight.

[stockie]

IMO it works.

BUT when experimenting more of don't work than work! :044:

[nabghani]

Travel and Leisure magazine used to do it very well and plenty of it every issue, i like 'em a lot.

[Kelvin K]

Yes & no all depend on how you use it.

[noordin]

It's great for product placement. Say the model (a famous star) whose photo will sharp and clear but in the foreground a certain brand of car or drink or makeup is shown blurred in the foreground works wonders.

[50mm]

Nan Goldin, Ivy in the Boston Garden, 1973.

http://phomul.canalblog.com/images/t-Nan_Goldin_Ivy_bost2.JPG

quote from an e-book :
Most photographers focus so the subject is sharp, but some rules are made to be
broken. Goldin’s picture of a drag queen strolling through a city park feels dreamlike,
precisely because it is slightly out of focus. A sharper picture might convey
more detailed information, but lack the impressionistic mood.
© Nan Goldin;courtesy of Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, NY.

please notify me if the image hotlinking doesnt work.

[nonaC]

now that's a new trick.. :)

[noordin]

You first have to make a name in photography before you can break the rules and get praised for it.

[nivekd200]

I have some bird pics with this effect and I quite like them. Here's one to share ...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r224/nivekd200/Brown-Shrike4.jpg

[fujikon_guy]

geezz...i donno bout the others but i think it works..the picture quite nice.

[gwsallen]

Hello,

For sharing, Bride, Bride's parent but dad too far away busy smoking - intention candid shot. What do you think?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gwsallen/detail?.dir=/7a23scd&.dnm=cde9scd.jpg

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gwsallen/detail?.dir=/7a23scd&.dnm=321ascd.jpg

[kijal]

I think in a way blurred foreground do work to isolate the object you're taking.

Example 1:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/136491196_ab9daca8fa.jpg

Example 2:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/59/200428141_ead699db60.jpg

#2 doesnt really work (compared to #1) coz the foreground blur not that great (blur). What do you think?

[kckong]

hi kijal, thanks for sharing your examples. Here's my 2 sen:
#1 has distinct fore, mid and background with the subject in mid. The foreground blur here is quite neutral ie no distinct item there. yeah i suppose it works in that it separate the 3 layers of the scene (though nothing much happening in the fg and bg)
#2 the fg is too close to the main subject - therefore looks more like not enough dof

The nan goldin pic IMHO isn't really blur fg lah - more like emotive blur everywhere hahaha

[kckong]

Here's a fantastic example of blur foreground by none other than marcus yam. He had posted a series (dressing room dilemma - royal pitches) of which the pic is a part here:
http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19525

The pic i'm referring to is here:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/marcus_yam/royalpitches/pages/6.html

Sorry I can't embed marcus' pic into this thread 'cos I don't own it. Y'all will have to click the link and view it on his webpage.

I'm guessing that he deliberately included the blur FG of the girl applying lipstick as part of his composition. And the sharp reflection of the main subject is also applying lipstick. haha everyone's applying lipstick. I think this is an excellent example of deliberately blurred FG.

What do you think?

PS: Hey Marcus, hope you don't mind us using your image for learning :)

[wasabi]

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/6136/2687122061d0b299044onf9.jpg

i think it nice :p

[jcjames]

:026: Hi Mobsterman - what do you think of this pic for blurred foreground effect? Pic is not too sharp though! :053:

[marcus_yam]

First of all - no holds barred when it comes to photography.

My shot is simple - There is nothing to it. There is one thing that many photographers (young and new) lack - composition and layers. That's where blurred foregrounds come in. Yes, composition can be learnt quickly and easily - but if there is one thing a photographer should learn - is layers. Learn how to photograph in layers - from two aspects. Look up layers - in photographic readings, you'll see that everyone talks about them - even the famous Ansel Adams had layers in his work. You can have layers in terms of subjects - things going on in the photograph, and layers in terms of emotion. If you can have layers of moments, and emotions - you've made a killer photograph. Here are two examples - stuff I've shot with layers and blurred foregrounds. Take a second - look at these photos and figure out the layers in the composition.

http://www.sportsshooter.com/marcus_yam/singles/images/3.jpg
Captions: Kate Francis, who plays the White Witch in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" is getting her make-up done while the other casts of the play get ready at the Beacon Cafe and Performing Arts Center, in Alden NY on August 13 2006. The Alden Christian Theater Society is a non-profit organization that presents this play in part of a mission to provide quality, family-oriented entertainment to Alden and surrounding areas. (Marcus Yam/Buffalo News)

http://www.sportsshooter.com/marcus_yam/picstory/images/12.jpg
Caption: Drivers participate in the World's Largest Demolition Derby at the Erie County State Fair also known as Americas Fair in Hamburg, NY on August 20 2006 despite weather condition wrapping up the end of the state fair, with a ‘bang.’ (Marcus Yam/Buffalo News)

http://www.sportsshooter.com/marcus_yam/singles/images/6.jpg
Caption: Western #5 Alice Buskus of Orchard Park, NY competes in the women's 800m dash open category event during the Track and Field competition on July 28 2006 for the Empire State Games 2006 at University at Rochester in Rochester, NY. Rochester is the host city of the Empire State Games for 2006. (Marcus Yam/Buffalo News)

The thing with layers is that - you can't have too much either, sometimes a few layers or even two might work in a photograph - that's why photography is so great - it' never has rules. With layers in your composition - your eye moves around the frame - keeping attention within the frame. It's like bada bing, bada boom, kapish. Yes blurred foreground works - when used properly in the right context - when used to form layers in composition. If not forming layers in composition, blurred foregrounds become a distraction - taking focus away from the subject. So becareful what you frame when you make a photograph.

Photography is a form of self expression - to question whether or not blurred foregrounds work is like to question, "Does smilling/frowning work?" Sometimes it's not about questioning different technical aspects, or primitive quality to a photograph, sometimes it's just plainly about putting your emotions into a little box - and making that photograph. Photography is no - holds barred, just apply your personal vision to your work everyday and share it with the community for feedback - that is the best way to grow. Rock on.

Warmest Regards,
Marcus Yam

[kckong]

:026: Hi Mobsterman - what do you think of this pic for blurred foreground effect? Pic is not too sharp though! :053:
Hi Jcjames, a jedi knight has spoken - please read Marcus Yam's excellent tutorial on layering :)

Marcus, thanks again for so generously sharing your knowledge :023::023::023:

[santik]

To me blurred foregrounds sometimes work or sometimes don't, blurred foreground make a path for ppl to look at the main subject.... or the main story, it sometime brings ideas and hints for the photo.:031:

[qqmeng]

doesnt matter what people thinks whether it works or not...

it may not work now... but maybe accpet in the future thts what they called creative mah

last time, those western medic dun believe in ginseng...look now? everywhere s ginseng...and tongkat ali too ahahaa

[ryn_msg]

This blurred foreground pic taken with compact digicam (built-in flash):

http://www.photomalaysia.com/photography/data/500/RSCN2860small.JPG

The foreground is one of her 'hantaran'. Kind of hard to get the camera to focus on her instead of the 'hantaran'. Due to the camera lag, captured her when she was about to say something to me :)

[calvaryzone]

yes, as a matter of fact, they do.
as i read this thread and check back at my pics, i see myself using alot of blurred foregrounds.
check them out and let me know if this works for you or not.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/295983272_a8827e41d0.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/316214278_63e78918a7.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/293073722_ce28fa8358.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/140671809_8a38e26a31.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/363381263_aa11a1df96.jpg

[sharpshooter]

It's an interesting way of framing a picture with the focus on the actual subject. Quite a number of good examples here.

:)

[kckong]

Just realised that I haven't posted any of mine here since starting the thread :) Here's a recent one of chuet chuet prince with my new toy... dangled his mobile in front of him while shooting with the other hand. Does it work?

http://calvinzworld.com/photos/DSC_2514-1.jpg

[sharpshooter]

It works. Though I won't actually talk about composition here as the topic is about blurred foregrounds, I'd say this is a charming picture. Keeps you guessing to the things that are surrounding your subject and forms a nice frame that does not steal the attention away from your subject.

[azrul]

they can work in very selective situations.

[jackyyong]

As Bimmer mentioned, blurred foreground can be used artistically. They are a very subjective evaluation whether or not they work. Lies in the eye of the beholder, I'd say.

Here is a shot which I thought worked well. It was not intentional, but the focus drifted to her shoulder, creating this soft bokeh effect on her face. This exudes a mysterious aura on her, and I absolutely love it.

29843

[Teh S Y]

Yes. It definitely works.

[couleur]

It always depends on the composition, sometimes it turns out great, sometimes it turns out lousy. :) Experiment.

[kckong]

It always depends on the composition, sometimes it turns out great, sometimes it turns out lousy. :) Experiment.
Hi couleur, nice to see you in this thread... if i remember correctly, you posted those chinese prayer candles, right? hehehe that's what insprired me to start this thread... wanna show some here with blurred fg that works? ... wait anxiously for you to share :)