Understanding Depth of Field
Depth of field is one of the topics I get asked about most often, and it’s also one of the biggest areas many photographers struggle with. When I’m printing photos at my photo lab, it’s easy to see which photographers understand it. The images that use the right aperture always stand out as truly great photographs!
What is Depth of Field?
Depth of field is controlled by your camera’s aperture setting. In simple terms, it determines how much of your image appears in focus, from front to back.
Below, I’ve included a short explanation and a couple of sample images to help make sense of it. Understanding this concept will help you create more visually interesting photos, and if you sell your work, it can make your images stand out and attract more clients.
(There’s also a link at the bottom of the article to my YouTube video where I go over this topic in detail.)
Shallow Depth of Field (Low Aperture Number)
The smaller the f-stop number, the shallower the depth of field.
In the first photo, I used an aperture of f/5.6.
Notice how the fence and wire in the foreground are sharp, while the background is blurred? This effect helps draw the viewer’s attention to your main subject, perfect for portraits, animals, or any subject you want to isolate from a distracting background.
Greater Depth of Field (Higher Aperture Number)
In the second photo, I stayed in the same spot but changed the aperture to f/10.
Now, everything from front to back is in focus. This is useful for group shots or scenes where subjects are not all lined up perfectly. For example, a large family photo.
However, be careful! A greater depth of field can sometimes make your photo look busy or confusing, as everything competes for attention. If you’re unsure, try shooting the same scene at both a wide and narrow aperture to see which look you prefer.
Why Depth of Field Matters
Depth of field can truly make or break an image.
A shallow depth of field helps separate your subject from the background, especially in busy scenes. If you really want that dreamy, professional look, try a lens that opens up to f/1.8 or f/2.0. The background blur (bokeh) can be dramatic and beautiful.
Important Note on Focusing
When using a very shallow depth of field, your focus has to be spot-on. Even being slightly off can leave your subject, like a bride, groom, or animal VERY soft or blurry.
A deeper depth of field can sometimes “hide” small focusing mistakes, but that’s not something to rely on. The best approach is to practice with both shallow and deep depth of field settings to learn how they affect your images.
In short: Mastering depth of field gives you creative control over your photos, helping you guide the viewer’s eye, highlight your subject, and make every image more powerful.
YOUTUBE
To learn more watch this video on my Youtube channel
Mike Paterson owns first choice photo, Lethbridge’s only locally owned photo lab and digital darkroom. Offering photo prints from wallets to wall size. Online print orders. Same day photo prints and quality professional photofinishing.
