How to make a photo blog
Do you want to have a photography blog like this? Do you want to showcase your art to millions of internet users? Do you wantMar 10, 2009 | 6 comments | View Post
Depth of field (DOF)
sandro | Jan 28, 2008 | 0 comments
Depth of field (aka DOF) is a technical term referring to how much of the picture is in focus. A large depth of field has lots in focus, while a shallow depth of field only has the main subject in focus.
The depth of field is controlled by the lens aperture, described by its f-number. Smaller f-numbers (f/1.8 for example) mean shallower depths of field; larger f-numbers (f/8 for example) mean larger depths of field.
So now, lets see how it works:
This portrait was shot @ f/2.0 with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mk I. As you can see main subject is perfectly in focus, while the background is blurred.
This night scene on the other hand was shot @ f/8 with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. Note, the whole scene appears perfectly sharp and there are no blurred parts.
Mastering DOF is very important for a starting photographer, it allows greater control over the final outcome, and considerably increases creative scope. So put your camera in AV (aperture priority) mode and experiment with different numbers.
Filed Under: Photography Tips
