How to Use Depth of Field to Create Captivating Photographs
When taking pictures, controlling depth of field can lead to captivating images. Depth of field is defined as the range of the photo that is in sharp or acceptable focus. It's determined by the f-stop or aperture (lens opening), the type of camera lens used and your distance from the subject. The bigger the f-stop, the longer your lens, and the closer you are to your subject, the more shallow the depth of field. Conversely, the smaller the f-stop, the wider the lens and the further you are from your subject, the greater the depth of field. A shallow depth of field will accentuate your subject and blur out a busy background. The widest depth of field will result in a sharp picture throughout and equally emphasize the fore, mid and background. When shooting landscapes, a greater depth of field is often desired, while a shallow depth of field can be more effective with portraits.
Instructions
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Determine the subject matter of your photo.
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Decide what you want to say with your picture. Your purpose will affect how much of the image you'll want to have in focus.
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Select your lens - wide, normal, or telephoto.
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Choose the right time of day. A shallow depth of field is more easily achieved in a lower light situation - early morning, late afternoon or on a cloudy day. To achieve a greater depth of field, a brighter light setting is preferable.
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Allow yourself plenty of time to experiment with a variety of f-stops or apertures. If using a digital camera, review your photos to determine if you have achieved your desired effect.
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Tips & Warnings
Bracket the f-stop you are shooting with. If you're hoping to use a large f-stop (f4) to blur out the background, it's a smart idea to take the same shot using f2.8, f4, and f5.6. By bracketing, you will be assured of capturing your desired effect.
A large f-stop number (f22) is actually a smaller lens opening. Using f22, a much smaller lens opening than f2.8, will produce a greater depth of field and more, if not all, of your photograph will be in sharp focus.
