When Sharpness Counts

My day had not gone the way I’d expected it to go. It was moving much slower than I thought it would. I had very few photographs from the day. A few rocks, trees, and bark. The worst photos possible from a news photographer unless they are the results of an unanticipated natural disaster.

I knew there was a possibility of an interesting photo from the historical society meeting about the early automobile industry in Ohio. The plan was to have several Ford Model As in attendance and surely there would be something from the pair.

As I do almost every day, just in case, I planned to travel through a couple of my favorite spots like Alum Creek Park North where earlier in the week I’d made a very pleasant photo of a woman reading in her hammock.

As soon as I turned into the park, I could see several young boys jumping around in the puddle that forms between first and second base after a heavy rain. Quickly parked, retrieved cameras from the trunk, and hustled to a vantage point with a clear background.

By the time I arrived the game had progressed to see who could make the most expressive splash, much to my delight.

I attempted to use a narrow depth of field to keep the background out of focus so the mud puddle splashes would stand out more. That meant I would prefocus on the spot where I anticipated the kid would touch down.

The photo at the top may be the best from the lot but it is just enough out of focus that it is noticeable to me. Running it through Luminar Neo’s supersharp function helps by I still know it is out of focus.

I chose a different frame for My Final Photo.

My Final Photo News is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my photography and commentary, become a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe to The Westerville News and PhotoCamp Daily. My Final Photo News also recommends Civic Capacity and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.