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Questions to help annotate you Depth of Field page

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Questions to help annotate you Depth of Field page

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1. What is Depth of Field?
2. How do you create it?
3. What is the key thing to adjust on your camera to set up a shot for Depth of Field
4.  What is a shallow DOF?
5. What is the camera Aperture?
6. Give some example apertures for a shallow DOF.
7. Which mode on an SLR will help you create a shallow depth of Field

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How to get blurry backgrounds with a point-and-shoot

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Despite being at a disadvantage, your compact camera can be used to make your subject pop from its surroundings or give you shallow depth of field.

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by Waseem Abbas on Apr 2, 2019

Do you want to take a photo with a shallow depth of field? A photo with a blurred background helps bring focus to the main subject/object. The concept of shallow depth of field results in good portraits. In this article, we will show you how to get the shallow depth of field in your digital photos using a DSLR camera.

If you don't have a DSLR camera, then use our guide on how to achieve blurry background using Photoshop.

What Is Depth Of Field?

By definition, depth of field is the sharpness of any subject / object focused by your camera.

There are three key points that manages the depth of field of a photo. It includes focal length of your camera lens, aperture priority, and the space between the subject and your camera.

It's also important to know that the results for each photo will be different. Therefore, you will have to adjust your camera settings based on your surroundings for the best results.

How To Get Shallow Depth Of Field?

Shallow depth of field is a brilliant way to capture shots. It sharpens your subject and blurs the background.

It is often used to capture portraits. With proper settings in your camera, you will be on your way to capturing great photos with shallow depth of field.

Having said that, lets look into the important points that helps manage shallow depth of field for your photos.

Focal Length Of Lenses

Your camera lens is an important factor to manage the shallow depth of field. Different lenses have wider aperture with minimum focal length.

It is recommended to buy more adequate zoom lenses as your business grow. There are large zoom lenses available with maximum aperture, and they are faster.

For Canon users, we recommend to use a 50mm f/1.8 lens. It is reasonable in cost and faster in performance. This lens will produce shallow depth of field that will help you capture stunned photographs.

Camera Settings

Your DSLR camera comes with the options of portrait mode, aperture priority mode, auto mode and more.

If you want to create a shallow depth of field manually, then you need to set your camera on aperture priority (A) mode with the lowest f settings.

This camera setting will create a wider aperture and blur the background for your photo.

Placement

You need to keep your subject at a good distrance from the background. With more distance, you will get less distraction from the background.

The distance between your subject and its background signifies the shallow depth of field.

It is recommended to keep your subject about several feet away which will help maximize the blur in background and highlight your target better.

That's all. We hope this article has helped you to understand how to manage shallow depth of field in your photos. Sign up for our newsletter on the right side to get new articles directly to your mailbox.

If you like this article, then please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more photography tutorials.

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How To Get Shallow Depth Of Field In Your Photos

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by Waseem Abbas on Apr 2, 2019 Do you want to take a photo with a shallow depth of field? A photo with a blurred background helps bring focus to the main subject/object. The concept of shallow depth of field results in good portraits.

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Slinkachu

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I started making miniature street installations in 2006. I was working at an advertising agency and wanted a creative project outside my day job; I had the idea to leave miniature train set figures around London for people to discover, as a way of encouraging interaction with the city. When people think of urban art they often think of graffiti, but I hope that my work will make you rethink what is possible, and perhaps fire your creativity, too.
The people
I use train set figures I use for my characters (you can buy them for around £2). They come unpainted, so you can customise them to suit the story you want to tell. You can cut them up to change their positions as needed, and paint them with acrylics. Collect lots of objects to use as props - a bottle cap might become a boat, a dead insect could pull a cart, and a tennis ball could be a desert island. A discarded piece of peel featured in my piece Local Amenities for Children ( above).
The story
Think about what sort of story you want to tell. I like to think about how we respond to the urban environment, and how the city can be a difficult, lonely place to live. You'll find inspiration everywhere: it could be from a piece of litter, an architectural feature or a weed. I love playing with scale and imagining how an object would look to a tiny person. A hole in the wall could be a cave, or a puddle could be a lake. Scout locations and keep a sketchbook full of ideas. A lot of it is play - a chance to reimagine the world around you.
Setting up the scene
Think of each scene as a miniature film set. I use superglue to fix my figures in place, then arrange the surroundings to tell the story. You'll need to lie down in the street so you can photograph from the little figures' perspective.I shoot at certain times of the day or year because I want the right light or weather conditions. Use a wide depth of field to bring the characters to life, and make them look almost real in their environments, not just like plastic toys. I use a Canon 5Dii, but a camera phone would be fine too.

Working on the street can be difficult. People want to stop you and ask what you're doing; the weather can ruin your work. Sometimes I've been told to stop using my camera by security guards or police. But this adds an element of uncertainty and surprise that working inside doesn't have.
The story continues
When I walk away, after I've photographed and left them, I am putting my characters in the hands of fate. I am abandoning them. I rarely hang around to see if people discover them - for me that would spoil the magic. I like to think that perhaps the stories continue after I leave. Much like real people that you pass on the street, tiny street art scenes are glimpsed for a second, and then they are gone.
See more at slinkachu.com
* Have you tried making your own tiny street art? We'd love to see it: please email high-res images to do.something@theguardian.com and we'll publish our favourites in the next issue

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Tiny art: how Slinkachu makes his miniature street scenes

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I started making miniature street installations in 2006. I was working at an advertising agency and wanted a creative project outside my day job; I had the idea to leave miniature train set figures around London for people to discover, as a way of encouraging interaction with the city.

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Tanaka Tatsuya

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Photographer and art director Tatsuya Tanaka has a fascination with all things tiny and has an uncanny ability to repurpose everyday objects as set pieces or tools for the inhabitants of his miniature world. For his project Miniature Calendar, Tanaka has been stretching his imagination to its limits nearly every day for the last four years. A tape dispenser becomes the bar for a restaurant, a circuit board is suddenly a rice paddy field, and the notes of a musical score become the hurdles for a track race. Individually, the photos might invoke a smile or chuckle as you get the joke, but when viewed collectively they morph into a fascinating study on Tanaka's breadth of creativity.

New photos from Miniature Calendar are published every day on Instagram and Facebook. Tanaka also published a book of earlier miniature photos in a book titled Miniature Life. (via Spoon & Tamago)

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Highlights from Artist Tatsuya Tanaka's Daily Miniature Photo Project

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Photographer and art director Tatsuya Tanaka has a fascination with all things tiny and has an uncanny ability to repurpose everyday objects as set pieces or tools for the inhabitants of his miniature world. For his project Miniature Calendar, Tanaka has been stretching his imagination to its limits

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Look at artists Tanaka Tatsuya and  Slinkachu. Choose one and start to create a fold out artist page on one of them.  Include pictures of their work and you analysis of how you think they made the image, and what you think the message is behind it.

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What is depth of field? Understanding depth of field is one of the first big hurdles in photography. Knowing how your aperture, focal length and focusing work together to affect depth of field and control what appears sharp in your photos will give you incredible confidence as a photographer.

What is 'depth of field'?

A camera can only focus its lens at a single point, but there will be an area that stretches in front of and behind this focus point that still appears sharp.

This zone is known as the depth of field. It's not a fixed distance, it changes in size and can be described as either 'shallow' (where only a narrow zone appears sharp) or deep (where more of the picture appears sharp).

Because depth of field has an impact on both the aesthetic and technical quality of a picture. Sometimes you'll want to use an extensive depth of field in order to keep everything sharp.

A classic example is when you're photographing a landscape, where generally the most desirable outcome is to capture detail from the foreground to the horizon.

Other times, a shallow depth of field will be preferable. It enables you to blur background and foreground details, causing distractions to melt away and allowing you to direct viewers to the focal point in a picture.

OK, so where do I find the depth of field control on my camera?

Many digital cameras come with a Depth of Field Preview button near the lens mount, or enable you to assign the same function to one of the other buttons. However, this doesn't have any effect on the depth of field.

The image you normally see through the viewfinder or on the Live View screen is displayed at the lens's maximum, or widest, aperture; the aperture you dial in on the camera body will only be set when you take a picture.

However, pressing the Depth of Field Preview button allows you to view the scene at the working aperture, so that you can see what areas will appear sharp.

There's a range of ways to control the depth of field - the choice of aperture, focus distance and the type of camera. In a nutshell, wider apertures and closer focusing distances lead to a shallower depth of field.

Remind me what you mean by 'wide' aperture...

Wide or large apertures correspond with the small f-stop numbers available on your camera. So an aperture of f/2.8 is wide, while an aperture of f/22 is small.

Again, focusing distance plays a part on the overall effect, with wide apertures offering considerably more depth of field when focused on a subject far away than they do when focused on a subject that's close to the lens.

However, changing the focusing distance is often the least convenient way to control depth of field - it's much easier to simply select an alternative aperture setting.

The only thing you need to be aware of is that shifting from a large aperture to a small one can lead to blurred photos.

They can do, but the choice of aperture has to be balanced with the shutter speed and ISO in order to maintain a consistent exposure.

Check out our guide to the Exposure Triangle for a more detailed explanation, but here's a brief overview. Larger apertures let in more light, so faster shutter speeds can be used to freeze movement. Switch to a smaller aperture, and the amount of light passing through the lens is reduced.

Consequently, the shutter speed has to become slower, increasing the risk of camera shake and subject movement. To get round this, you could increase the ISO (What is ISO? Click here!). This allows you to use smaller apertures to increase the depth of field and use faster shutter speeds.

OK, so how does the type of camera affect depth of field?

It's the size of the imaging sensor inside the camera that makes the difference. The larger the sensor, the shallower the depth of field will be at a given aperture.

This is because you'll need to use a longer focal length or be physically closer to a subject in order to achieve the same image size as you get using a camera with a smaller sensor - and remember the effect that focusing closer has on depth of field.

This is why a full-frame camera produces a much shallower depth of field than an APS-C DSLR or compact system camera (CSC) at equivalent focal lengths and apertures.

Is it true that longer lenses produce a shallower depth of field?

The focal length of the lens does appear to have a significant impact on depth of field, with longer lenses producing much more blur. A 200mm lens focused at 12ft will have a wafer-thin depth of field compared to a 20mm lens focused at 12ft.

However, if the subject occupies the same proportion of the frame, the depth of field (the area that appears sharp) is essentially the same whether you're shooting with a wide-angle lens or a telephoto!

You would, of course, have to move closer with a wide lens or further away with a telephoto lens to maintain the same subject size.

The reason longer lenses appear to produce a shallower depth of field is thanks to their narrow angle of view: compared to a wide lens, a telephoto will fill the frame with a much smaller area of background, so any blur appears magnified too. Use this characteristic to add a professional sheen to your portraits.

How to... make depth of field a priority

Three classic situations where you'll want to stay firmly in control of focusing and depth of field.

How to... get it right in camera

Learn how to make best use if the Depth of Field Preview feature.

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What is depth of field? Understanding depth of field is one of the first big hurdles in photography. Knowing how your aperture, focal length and focusing work together to affect depth of field and control what appears sharp in your photos will give you incredible confidence as a photographer.

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You may have heard the term depth of field (DoF), but if you are new to photography you may not yet be taking advantage of how DoF can enhance your photos.

A basic definition of depth of field is: the zone of acceptable sharpness within a photo that will appear in focus. In every picture there is a certain area of your image in front of, and behind the subject that will appear in focus.

This zone will vary from photo to photo. Some images may have very small zones of focus which is called shallow depth of field.

Here's a series of images with very shallow depth of field.

Others may have a very large zone of focus which is called deep depth of field.

Here's a collection of images with much deeper depths of field.

Three main factors that will affect how you control the depth of field of your images are: aperture (f-stop), distance from the subject to the camera, and focal length of the lens on your camera. Here are some explanations and answers to other common questions concerning depth of field.

How does aperture control depth of field?

Aperture refers to the access given to light from the lens to the camera sensors. The size of your aperture (the diameter of the hole through which light enters the camera) controls the amount of light entering your lens. Using the aperture (f-stop) of your lens is the simplest way to control your depth of field as you set up your shot.

Large aperture = Small f-number = Shallow (small) depth of field
Small aperture = Larger f-number = Deeper (larger) depth of field

It may be easier to remember this simple concept: The lower your f-number, the smaller your depth of field. Likewise, the higher your f-number, the larger your depth of field. For example, using a setting of f/2.8 will produce a very shallow depth of field while f/11 will produce a deeper DoF.

How does distance control depth of field?

The closer your subject is to the camera, the shallower your depth of field becomes. Therefore, moving further away from your subject will deepen your depth of field.

How does the focal length of a lens control depth of field?

Focal Length refers to the capability of a lens to magnify the image of a distant subject. This can get complicated, but the simple answer is that the longer you set your focal length the shallower the depth of field. Example: Your subject is 10 meters (33 feet) away, using a focal length of 50mm at f/4; your depth of field range would be from 7.5 -14.7 meters (24.6-48 feet) for a total DOF of 7.2 meters (23.6 feet). If you zoom into 100mm from the same spot, the depth of field changes to 9.2-10.9m (30.1-35.8′) for a total of 1.7m (5.7′) of depth of field. But if you move to 20m (66′) away from your subject using the 100mm lens, your depth of field is almost the same as it would be at 10 meters using a 50mm lens.

What if I just have a point and shoot camera, or don't know how to change those settings?

Even with a point and shoot camera, there are ways to control your depth of field. In the Scene Modes menu, look for a symbol of a human head, which is the setting for portraits. This will give you a narrow depth of field. In the same menu there is also a mountain symbol, which is a setting for landscapes, which will give you a deeper depth of field.

If you are a beginner with a DSLR there are some simple ways you can control depth of field and still use and automatic shooting mode. By choosing Aperture Priority mode you can set your aperture to get the depth of field that you want, and the camera will automatically set the shutter speed.

Can I set the depth of field exactly for each situation?

Yes, but because changing your aperture affects your shutter speed, the result may not meet the needs of your image. For instance, if you are trying to increase your depth of field by reducing aperture size you will also need to increase (slow down) your shutter speed which could make your image blurry. Understanding how all these settings work together can increase your control over depth of field.

Is depth of field equally distributed in front and back of my focus point?

No, it's usually about one third in front and two thirds behind your focal point, but as your focal length increases it becomes more equal.

How will understanding depth of field improve my images?

Managing depth of field is one of the most important tools at your disposal, because having tack sharp images is one of the most important factors to getting that great shot. Knowing how to make the parts of your image you want sharp and the parts you want to be out of focus, is a great artistic tool to create great images.

When should I use a shallow depth of field?

Using a shallow depth of field is a good way to make your subject stand out from its background and is great for portrait photography. Shallow DoF can also be useful in wildlife photography, where you want the subject to stand out from its surroundings. This is also useful because many wildlife photo opportunities are low light situations, and increasing your aperture size will give you more light. Shallow depth of field is also effective for sports photography where many times you want to separate the athlete from the background to bring attention to them. The result of this should also help give you a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action.

When should I use deeper depth of field?

In landscape photography it is important to get as much of your scene in focus as possible. By using a wide angle lens and a small aperture you will be able maximize your depth of field to get your scene in focus.

How can you determine depth of field?

There are several on-line sites that will provide depth of field charts for your camera and lenses. Also, there are a number of apps available for smart phone users that can calculate it for you while you're in the field. Most cameras have a DoF preview button which will give you a preview as you look through the eye piece. (This is probably the easiest and most under-utilized method.) Using this button may cause your image to appear darker as you view it through the eye piece, but not to worry. Your image will be properly exposed as long as you have the correct exposure settings.

Can depth of field be adjusted to get everything in focus?

Yes, using what is called the hyperfocal distance. When you are focused at the hyperfocal distance, your depth of field will extend from half the distance to your focal point to infinity. Use a DOF calculator to find your hyperfocal distance. If you don't have a DoF calculator, a good rule of thumb is to focus a third of the way into the scene. Using an aperture of about f/11 or higher with a wide angle lens will maximize your depth of field.

What about depth of field in macro photography?

Because most macro images are produced in low light and with a longer focal length, the depth of field is often very shallow. Adjust your lens to the smallest aperture that the light will allow. It may also be necessary to increase your ISO to allow you to properly expose the image and to maximize your depth of field. Still, in many macro images your DoF may be very minute. With this very narrow focus it becomes necessary to use a tripod, because even the slightest movement of the camera will move your macro subject outside your depth of field.

What is bokeh?

Bokeh (boh-ke) comes from the Japanese word meaning blur. This effect is produced by the out-of-focus areas in your image that are beyond the depth of field. Bokeh commonly refers to the pleasing circle shapes caused by the shape of the lens aperture. Usually created when shooting with your aperture wide open, such as f/2.8, bokeh can also be created with smaller apertures if the background is distant enough.

Learn more about how to get beautiful bokeh in your images here.

To summarize controlling depth of field:
Increase depth of field

Narrow your aperture (larger f-number)

Move farther from the subject

Shorten focal length

Decrease depth of field

Widen your aperture (smaller f-number)

Move closer to the subject

Lengthen your focal length

Take control of your depth of field. Understanding how these adjustments control your it will greatly improve your photography. What questions do you have about depth of field? Please share your photos and comments.

Recommended Reading for Beginner to Intermediate Photographers

If you enjoyed reading this tutorial we've put together a series of comprehensive advice for photographers:

Bruce Wunderlich

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Understanding Depth of Field for Beginners

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You may have heard the term depth of field (DoF), but if you are new to photography you may not yet be taking advantage of how DoF can enhance your photos. A basic definition of depth of field is: the zone of acceptable sharpness within a photo that will appear in focus.

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Aperture is ‘the opening in the lens.’

-The aperture that you set impacts the size of that hole. The larger the hole the more light that gets in – the smaller the hole the less light.

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-Aperture is measured in ‘f-stops’. Moving from one f-stop to the next doubles or halves the size of the amount of opening in your lens (and the amount of light getting through)

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-Aperture has a big impact upon depth of field (DOF) and can be used creatively; a large aperture will decrease depth of field while a small aperture will give you larger depth of field.

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-Small numbers mean small DOF, and large numbers mean large DOF.