How to Get Depth Perception in Photos

Objects in front or behind the focused object will be blurry with a greater depth perception.

Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, taking photographs of objects with greater depth perception can create a surreal image not even the human eye can reproduce. Creating an "out of focus" shot with a shallow depth of field is one of the most powerful effects you can have, because you can eliminate distracting backgrounds and make the object your primary subject in the shot.

Instructions

1. Shorten your focal length by zooming into your subject, which will give the illusion of a more shallow depth perception. Telephoto lenses allow you to shorten the focal length even more, which will result in a greater depth perception and cause the background to become more blurry.

2. Dial down the f-stop value on your camera to f/2.8 or lower, to create a smaller aperture. The smaller aperture will create an illusion of a shallow depth of field. If you are in a dimly lit area, a smaller aperture will cause your image to be darker. Therefore, to compensate for the lower f-stop, you will need to add more light to the frame, or raise the ISO level in your camera.

3. Move the subject away from the background. In order to create a greater depth perception, there has to be physical depth between the subject and the background image. If the subject is right against the background, it is impossible to create depth in the image, without the use of digital special effects. If you cannot control the position of the object, try adjusting the f-stop, or modifying the focal length.

References

• Cambridge In Colour: Tutorials - Depth of Field
• Digital Photography School: How to Get Shallow Depth of Field in Your Digital Photos
• Azus Web Works: Depth of Field