Exercise: Focus with a set aperture

f/5,6 1/30" with ISO 1250 

55 mm focal length  

f/5,6 1/30" with ISO 1100

55 mm focal length

f/5,6 1/30" with ISO 1250

55 mm focal length

For this exercise, I’ve put three different candles on a table, in the way that the distance between them is almost the same. Then I’ve chosen a point of view in which something can be seen in the background and the nearest candle is very close to the camera. I’ve used the same camera settings for all the pictures: 1/30” shutter speed and f/5.6 for aperture. The focal lenght is also the same (55 mm).

In the first picture, the background is in focus, so the rounded candle is sharp as well as the blanket and the cushions. 

In the second picture, the sharp focus is in the middle of the picture, so the attention is drawn towards the red candle ant its refelction.

In the third picture, the candle which is closest to the camera is in focus while the rest of the elements are out of focus.

In my opinion, here the second picture works better then the other. In the first one, the background sharpness distracts from the main subject, the candles. And the third has no depth and the  main part of the picture is out of focus (except the blue candle which is a very small part of the frame). In the second picture we can see the red candle and its reflection is sharp and although the rounded candle isn’t very sharp, it’s enough to give the picture some depth.