So I admit this is an odd posting.  I really understand if people don’t like this picture or even don’t get what I’m trying to do.  (In fact I expect that response from most).  But as I spent three hours today trying to create the image I thought I’d post it.  I should say here that I don’t think this is a great image, but for a first attempt I think it’s OK.

So what’s this picture about?  What am I trying to do?

This is an exercise in focus harvesting.  The premise is simple.  You take a number of shots of the same subject but focus each time of a different part of the image.  Then (in post processing) you create a new image that includes the “parts” you want in focus in the finished image. I guess it’s a bit like HDR, but with focusing. So why do this?  Why not just take a picture of the leaves I hear you ask!

Well the reason for doing this is to have better control over how the viewer “sees” the image.  By playing with different image aspects like focus, color, brightness and contrast etc., the picture can kind of force the user to start looking in one place and then travel around the image as the photographer intended.  For me the images can also take on an almost 3D look with some parts almost popping out of the photograph.

This is my attempt at that.  If you hold the mouse over the image below you will see the original picture I shot (or at least one of them), and I highlighted where you are supposed to be “drawn” first, then second and so on.  Have a look and let me know if it works and what you think.  This isn’t something for every picture but I wanted to give it a go.

Today our Halo warriors are carrying out Torture training.  Why? Coz they can, and it’s funny 🙂