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Deep space? Nein!
When I use my SLR with a 28–80mm zoom, I have trouble creating an appearance of depth in my photographs. Often I look at a scene and think the shot will come out almost as beautiful as the view appears at that moment. But, much to my disappointment, when I get the picture processed, I usually cannot see the depth that the scene truly possessed. How can I add more dimension to a scene?
Stanley Heart
via e-mail
You are looking at the scene with two eyes in true three dimensions, but your 28–80mm zoom only has one eye, reducing the view to a flat two dimensions. To get the most three-dimensional effect from your two-dimensional camera:
1. Use the 28mm focal length of your lens. The longer focal length, the more the depth tends to appear compressed.
2. Stop your lens way down and shoot for maximum sharpness, foreground to background.
3. Parallel lines (i.e., a road, fence, or railroad tracks leading away from the camera) that appear to converge convey the impression that they are receding.
4. Since far away objects appear smaller than those nearby, you create a sense of depth when you show something of known size in the distance. The effect is even greater when you have similar subjects appearing in diminishing sizes.
5. Framing a distant subject with a foreground object captures the viewer’s eye and draws it to the more distant subject, enhancing the feeling of depth.
Old-time movies
I have about 20,000 feet of regular and Super 8 film—family history, travel footage, etc. I would love to see them again and again, but my dual-8 projector needs repair, and I have been told that parts are no longer available. A search for another projector brought no results. Any suggestions?
Hilbert Bolland
Ventura, CA
Your best bet is the Internet. Go to www.google.com and type in “Super 8 filmmaking.” You will find several web sites devoted to 8mm and Super 8 film-making, and chances are someone will have a projector to sell. Also go to eBay and Yahoo auctions and you’ll probably find people who want to sell their old projectors. Another alternative is to find a company that will transfer your film to videotape or DVD such as Video Graphics (770-592-5911; www.videographics.com) or Javanni Digital Video (800-980-DVDS; www.perfectpopcorn.com). Many camera stores also provide this service.
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