How To Control Depth Of Field With Your Camera and Lens
How To Control Depth Of Field With Your Camera And Lens
Depth of field (DoF) is one of the most important concepts in photography. It refers to the space in your image that is relatively sharp and in focus. It can affect the mood, composition and message of your photos. If you want to control the elements of your image that are in focus (which you do), then you need to know how to control depth of field with your camera and lens. The subject of your image is given emphasis by ensuring that it is in focus. Viewers are naturally drawn to the objects in your images that are in focus, and they tend to overlook the parts that are blurred. In this article, you will learn what factors influence depth of field, how to adjust it for different scenarios, and how to use it creatively to enhance your photography.
This image was made with a very shallow depth of field, blurring out everything but the main subject.
What Factors Influence Depth of Field?
There are three main factors that affect depth of field: aperture, focal length and camera-subject distance.
Aperture: Aperture is the opening in your lens that lets light pass through to the sensor. It is measured in f-stops, such as f/2.8, f/8 or f/16. The smaller the f-stop number, the larger the aperture, and vice versa. Aperture has a direct impact on depth of field: the larger the aperture, the shallower the depth of field; the smaller the aperture, the deeper the depth of field. This means that if you want to isolate your subject from the background or foreground, you should use a large aperture (small f-stop number). If you want to show more details in your scene, you should use a small aperture (large f-stop number).
Focal length: Focal length is the distance between the lens and the sensor when the lens is focused at infinity. It is measured in millimeters, such as 24mm, 50mm or 200mm. Focal length affects how much of the scene you can capture and how magnified your subject appears. Focal length also affects depth of field: the longer the focal length, the shallower the depth of field; the shorter the focal length, the deeper the depth of field. This means that if you want to create a dramatic effect with a blurred background or foreground, you should use a long focal length (telephoto lens). If you want to capture a wide-angle view with more elements in focus, you should use a short focal length (wide-angle lens).
Camera-subject distance: Camera-subject distance is the distance between your camera and your main subject. It affects how large or small your subject appears in your frame and how much of the background or foreground is visible. Camera-subject distance also affects depth of field: the closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth of field; the farther you are from your subject, the deeper the depth of field. This means that if you want to emphasize your subject and make it stand out from its surroundings, you should get closer to it. If you want to include more context and show more of its environment, you should move away from it.
How to Adjust Depth of Field for Different Scenarios?
Depending on what kind of photo you want to take, you may need to adjust your depth of field accordingly. Here are some common scenarios and how to control depth of field for them:
Portraits: Portraits usually benefit from a shallow depth of field, as it helps to draw attention to your subject’s face and eyes, and create a pleasing bokeh (blurry background). To achieve a shallow depth of field for portraits, you should use a large aperture (small f-stop number), a long focal length (telephoto lens), and get close to your subject.
Landscapes: Landscapes usually benefit from a deep depth of field, as it helps to show more details and clarity in your scene, from foreground to background. To achieve a deep depth of field for landscapes, you should use a small aperture (large f-stop number), a short focal length (wide-angle lens), and move away from your subject.
Macro: Macro photography involves taking close-up photos of small objects or details, such as flowers, insects or jewelry. Macro photography usually requires a very shallow depth of field, as it helps to isolate your subject from its surroundings and create a dramatic effect. To achieve a very shallow depth of field for macro photography, you should use a very large aperture (very small f-stop number), a very long focal length (macro lens), and get very close to your subject.
How to Use Depth of Field Creatively to Enhance Your Photography?
Depth of field is not only a technical aspect of photography, but also a creative tool that can help you express your vision and tell a story with your images. Here are some ways you can use depth of field creatively to enhance your photography:
Create contrast: You can use depth of field to create contrast between your subject and its background or foreground, by making one sharp and the other blurry. This can help you highlight your subject, create separation, and add interest to your image.
Create mood: You can use depth of field to create mood and atmosphere in your image, by using different levels of blur to convey different emotions. For example, you can use a shallow depth of field to create a sense of intimacy, mystery or drama, or a deep depth of field to create a sense of openness, clarity or realism.
Create focus: You can use depth of field to create focus and direct the viewer’s attention to a specific part of your image, by making it the only sharp element in your frame. This can help you emphasize a detail, a gesture or an expression, and make your image more impactful.
Once you’ve learned instinctively how to control depth of field with your camera, it will be like second nature when thinking about a composition. With a wide angle lens and a small aperture, almost everything in the image should be in focus. This lets you photograph a subject in the foreground, while still keeping a sense of space, while still ensuring the background is also sharply in focus.
When you see beautiful landscape images hanging on a wall in a gallery, it was likely shot with a small aperture (large f-stop number). This shows as much detail throughout the entire image as possible.
In contrast, portraits with buttery smooth and blurred out background are usually taken with a large aperture on a longer lens. This ensures that the subject of the image is isolated, which compels the viewer to concentrate directly on the person without distraction.
The image above puts total emphasis on the subject by completely blurring out the background. To achieve this isolation, use a longer lens and open the aperture as wide as possible, while still keeping your subject in focus.
Conclusion
Depth of field is one of the most important concepts in photography, as it affects how much of your image is in focus and how your image looks. By understanding what factors influence depth of field and how to adjust it for different scenarios, you can control the sharpness and blur in your photos and use them creatively to enhance your photography.
Now that you know how to control depth of field in photography, why not try it out for yourself? Share your photos and questions in the comments below.
Matt