First, I guess the photographer used a long lens, because if he would
have used wide angle, he must have been on the President's lap. This
already reduces DOF-range.
Second, he's using available light (which definitely is better for
portraits or even any photography), so probably large aperture. Second
factor that reduces DOF-range.
And third, I agree with the other responses that this is in fact a very
common technique when framing multiple people and drawing attention to
one of them.
Conclusion: due to choice of composition and light, combined with
technical reasons, I don't think a picture with both people in focus was
possible at all. The photographer converted this limitation into an
added value for the picture's story.
Groeten,
Vic
Igor Roshchin wrote:
Reading some news on Reuters web-site, I saw this photo:
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsPhotoPresentation.aspx?type=topNews&imageID=2006-05-07T163934Z_01_N05403243_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0.xml
http://tinyurl.com/l98u6
(from this new article
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-05-07T163941Z_01_N05403243_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-CIA.xml
http://tinyurl.com/s4d7m )
I was surprised that the Reuters was satisfied with this photo where
one person is out of focus, and that the photographer didn't use
DOF more properly. The object is not sharp (on this photo).
(I don't want to start a politically-charged thread/flame related to
You-Know-Who, so, please no political comments.)
It's hard to say what photographer's situation was though.
Am I being too cirtical here? What's your opinion?
Igor
