If you are not able to focus on something very close to you camera often it’s just beyond the minimum focus distance of your camera’s lens.
That is most likely what’s going on here.
Now onto the critiques.
You have absolutely nailed the assignment and thus shown you understand the concepts.
What’s more, you’ve created a couple of nice images.
Here is the exif data for: 155.jpg
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/155.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:03:04 17:44:41
Exposure Time: 1/50
F Number: f / 4
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 100mm
White Balance: Manual white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USMUUD
LensSerialNumber: 00001dc72f
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 5472
Pixel Y Dimension: 3648
Maker Note: 910
User Comment: 8694
Date Time Digitized: 2014:03:04 17:44:41
Subsec Time: 90
Subsec Time Original: 90
Subsec Time Digitized: 90
Shutter Speed Value: 5.63
Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 3810.58
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 3815.90
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 2
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Exposure Mode: 1
Scene Capture Type: Standard
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 8958
ExifIFDPointer: 360
GPSInfoIFDPointer: 9186
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:03:04 17:44:41
Artist: AlanHsieh
Here is the EXIF data for 99.jpg
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/099.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:03:04 17:12:05
Exposure Time: 1/15
F Number: f / 4
Exposure Program: Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 105mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USMUUD
LensSerialNumber: 00001dc72f
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 5472
Pixel Y Dimension: 3648
Maker Note: 910
User Comment: 8694
Date Time Digitized: 2014:03:04 17:12:05
Subsec Time: 00
Subsec Time Original: 00
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 4
Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 3810.58
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 3815.90
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 2
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Scene Capture Type: Standard
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 8958
ExifIFDPointer: 360
GPSInfoIFDPointer: 9186
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:03:04 17:12:05
Artist: AlanHsieh
In your image 155 you have certainly manage to denonstate shallow depth of field. You’ve also shown a sense of humour by photographing a book about photography, how meta?!
As mentioned previously you’ll have trouble with minimum focus if you put your subject very close to your lens. If you must shoot things very very close I would recommend you look into a macro lens!
The trick with shallow depth of field is that generally speaking you should use it to focus the viewer’s eye on what you want them to look at. That means you’ll want to put the most interesting part of the frame in the area that’s in focus.
It takes some practice but you will get the hang of it.
Often people just use it for no reason just because they like the aesthetic but the aesthetic became popular by people using it properly if that makes any sense.
I’m also glad to see that you’re supplementing your learning here by reading photography books.
In terms of your image 99.jpg you’ve done an outstanding job using the photography technique known as panning.
The settings and exposure here are perfect and you’ve even added a nice amount of lead room to your frame.
I really can’t give you any tips on this because it’s excellent, I mean you’ve even manages to get the logo relatively sharp.
All I have to say is, great job here!
See you on the next assignment.
Keep shooting!