Brice Digital Photography

Depth Of Field

Depth Of Field is the range between the nearest and farthest parts of a photograph that appear to be in focus. Depth Of Field is controlled mainly by aperture size, focal length of the lens, and distance from the subject itself. Understanding how to control depth of field is vital in defining the subject matter and provides the overall “feel” of the photograph. Shallow depth of field is great for portrait photos for example, while greater depth of field is better for landscapes or perspective shots covering a greater distance.

Controlling Depth Of Field

I usually keep the camera in aperture priority (Av) mode and vary the aperture size, or f-stop number, depending on the level of depth I wish to achieve and then vary my distance from the subject. Lastly I zoom in or out to compose the shot, knowing that a greater focal length (zooming in) will give me a shallower depth of field. Digital SLR cameras give you the benefit of being able to take several shots at different settings and positions in order to arrive at the desired result. The following macro examples show the effect of different aperture settings at the same distance from the subject, using the same focal length:

This photo was taken with the aperture set at f8.0 (1/50s shutter speed at ISO 100). A few of the petals are in focus however the background is a little distracting.







The same subject was then taken with a larger aperture of f2.8 (1/500s at ISO 100) to give a shallower depth of field and make the subject stand out more against the background, however there are less petals in focus.

Calculating Depth Of Field

Here is a useful calculator for depth of field http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Useful Links

More detail on depth of field can be found at the following links:
Hubpages Article On Depth Of Field
Online Video Tutorial
Depth Of Field Tutorial
Tips For Controlling Depth Of Field


Also, here are some useful books that give in depth (yes, pun) know-how on controlling depth of field with plenty of examples…