S6000fd Question

[Jennifer0823]

Hi Everyone! I am new here, I'm Jenn!

I got an S6000 last week and I am just warming up to settings other than "auto." My question is: is there a way to take a picture where the subject is clear but the background is slightly blurry?

Thanks for any help/advice anyone can give me!

P.S.- I am sure that I will be around to ask more questions later on too!

[P_Schneider]

Hi Jenn,
Look in your manual under Aperture priority mode, which is A on your dial. I just got my S6k too so I'm still learning or I would give you more detailed advice.

Welcome to the forums!

[AlexMonro]

Welcome, Jennifer.

To expand a bit on the previous reply, to get a narrower depth of field (which is the technical term for having the subject sharp and the background blurry) you need the widest aperture possible (smallest f-number).

You can also reduce depth of field by using a longer focal length (zooming in) and moving further away from the subject, but this can create other effects - experiment to find what gives the most pleasing overall result.

[wnaegele]

A good practical exercise in following Alex's suggestion is to find a volunteer for a head-and-shoulders portrait. First, set the lens's focal length to 50mm [35mm-camera equivalent] and stand about two feet in front of the volunteer [first placing the volunteer in front of a recognizable background]. Check out the image. Then set the focal length to 100mm [equivalent] and stand about four feet. The try 200mm at eight feet. Carefully check the volunteer's image vs. the background at each focal length. This should give a good real-world example of the phenomenon.

[Jennifer0823]

Thank you guys so much for all of your tips! I think I am starting to get the hang of this new camera!