Depth of Field is the depth of a scene that is "in focus" as perceived by the eye.
32
votes
4answers
2k views
What exactly determines depth of field?
There's several questions here about the definition of depth of field, about focal length, and about subject distance. And of course there's the basic how does aperture affect my photographs. And ...
29
votes
7answers
6k views
What is aperture, and how does it affect my photographs?
How does aperture affect my photographs?
Why should I care about the aperture with which a photo was taken?
29
votes
15answers
4k views
How can I maximise that “blurry background, sharp subject” (bokeh) effect?
I know that it occurs when there's a shallow depth of field, but what are the various ways I can increase this effect in my photos when I'm taking them?
Note that I'm not asking how to use an ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
Can a smaller sensor's “crop factor” be used to calculate the exact increase in depth of field?
If APS-C and similar crop-sensor digital cameras have a focal length multiplying effect such that a 50mm lens has an apparent focal length closer to the field of view of an 80mm on a full frame ...
30
votes
12answers
3k views
How can I take shallow depth of field photos with a point-and-shoot camera?
I have a compact digital camera, and in macro mode I can manage to achieve a blurred background, if the background is far enough away. Can this be done when taking non-macro pictures, and if not, is ...
29
votes
10answers
8k views
How can I get dramatic shallow DOF with a kit lens?
I'm currently using an entry-level DSLR with 18-55mm lens and having great trouble trying to creating a blurred background effect in my photos. Now matter what aperture or shutter speed I choose, I'm ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Why is the depth-of-field preview in the optical viewfinder of my Canon 500D inaccurate?
I have noticed that in my Canon 500D, the depth-of-field preview in the optical viewfinder is inaccurate with large aperture settings.
If I press the DoF preview button, there is very little ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
Technically, why is the out of focus area blurred more when using a bigger aperture?
I'm wondering, technically, why and how does the out of focus areas blur more when using a bigger aperture. I think it'd help a lot if I presented a problem that's been driving me nuts for a long ...
14
votes
4answers
5k views
Why does a bigger sensor lead to a shallower depth of field?
It has been mentioned at a few places that a larger sensor results in images with a shallower depth of field.
Example image: http://www.mattgrum.com/FF_vs_APS-C.jpg
APS-C Canon 30D left, FF ...
23
votes
4answers
939 views
What are the best practices for DOF stacking?
What are the best practices for DOF stacking? How do you get the frames with focus just right amount apart? How do you stack them in post processing?
29
votes
7answers
829 views
What is “Hyperfocal Distance”?
I'd like a clear & easy-to-understand (especially for non-physics-types) explanation of what Hyperfocal Distance is, how it affects photographs, and what determines its value.
28
votes
1answer
3k views
What is “bokeh panorama” (also called the “Brenizer method”)?
Somewhere I don't remember, I heard about the Brenizer method.
After reading a few sites, there is no consistent information about what it is exactly, or what the procedures are to apply it, so:
...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How does changing focal length affect depth of field?
I'm curious about how my "area of acceptable focus" changes when the focal length of the lens I'm using changes as I zoom (or switch lenses). In particular, I'd like to know how the front & back ...
17
votes
3answers
923 views
Do smaller apertures provide more depth of field past the diffraction limit, even if peak sharpness suffers?
In Understanding Exposure (3rd edition, on page 48), Bryan Peterson has what might be called a rant against modern on-line conventional wisdom about diffraction limits. Answers on this web site are ...
14
votes
6answers
4k views
How does background blur (bokeh) relate to sensor size?
This is a somewhat theoretical question.
Suppose I first take a photo of a subject using a full frame sensor DSLR, with a given lens (say 50mm prime lens at f/3.5).
Now suppose I exchange the camera ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
What are the depth-of-field capabilities of point & shoot cameras?
Is it possible to show following by using a point-and-shoot camera?
shallow depth of field
deep depth of field
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Is there a 'rule of thumb' that I can use to estimate depth of field while shooting?
I can use a DoF calculator, or crunch the heavy math by hand if I really want to know exactly what my DoF is going to be... but most of the time knowing exactly is actually overkill, and taking the ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
What lenses are best for food photography?
What lenses are best for taking photos of cooked dishes?
In some articles, I have read that I can have great results with lenses f/1.4 because they are cheap and they give that nice blurred ...
6
votes
2answers
627 views
How can I get more of this macro photo in focus?
I want to make a full focus on the body, for example:
I need to have a clear focus on the each balls in the photo. I used just single point focus.
In this picture I used:
shutter speed: 8
...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Can I get a shallow DOF using a kit lens? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Help with getting bokeh effect.
Is it possible to generate shallow DOF with a "kit" lens, and how?
In my case, I have the Nikon D7000 with the 18-105mm f/3.5-/f5.6.
I ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between depth of field and depth of focus?
Reading this answer I realized that I didn't know the difference between the two depths (of field and focus). Browsing related questions didn't reduce the blur (!) between the two...
Wikipedia ...
6
votes
4answers
473 views
Is depth of field and bokeh influenced by distance to the subject?
I know that the aperture size has a direct effect on the depth of field.
However, what about distance to the subject? Let's say I took two pictures, one at 24mm and one at 70mm, using the same lens ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Why does depth of field occur?
I wonder why depth of field occur in the first place. This is not a question about what changes the effect/size of field. We all know that.
Aperture, Focal Length, Focus Length (distance to subject), ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
What does small depth of field mean?
Can anyone clarify for me the various terms used to describe depth of field?
There are so many it's hard without a photo dictionary to relate in my head what's actually being said to me about the ...
9
votes
0answers
554 views
Why do some DSLRs take good bokeh and others do not?
what is the mechanical explanations as to why some cameras can take good bokeh and not others. do lenses have a role too?
5
votes
5answers
2k views
What aperture should I use to photograph people and why?
What f/# do you use to photograph people, and why? I know this varies from shot to shot.
Let's suppose that you are photographing either a single person or a couple, that it it outside on a somewhat ...
17
votes
4answers
2k views
How does a teleconverter affect depth of field?
I'm aware that a teleconverter will reduce the amount of light reaching the film or sensor in a camera, and as such you hear people banding around things like "With a 2x teleconverter this 300mm f/2.8 ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Is there a formula to calculate DOF?
I am pretty clear about that DOF depends on:
Focal length
Aperture
Distance from subject
Sensor size
and more (as pointed in the comment).
But what is the question here is: Is there any formula ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Why can't I get a shallow depth of field (DOF) effect?
I am trying to get a shot of the subject that is a foot or two away from the background that I would like to have show as blurry.
This is what I am going after. Notice how the face of the dog is in ...
9
votes
2answers
8k views
What is the depth-of-field preview button on my DSLR supposed to show me?
I'm fairly new to DSLRs and I've been exploring the functions on my new Canon 60D.
There's a button to the side of the lens described as the "depth-of-field preview button". Based on the limited ...
6
votes
4answers
461 views
Should the depth of field in the viewfinder be the same as the final images with the aperture set to wide open?
When I take pictures of flowers, I often try to get the classic soft background around the in focus flower.
I have a canon t3i, and a lens that goes to f/2.8. I set that to wide open, take my ...
6
votes
3answers
439 views
Does subject isolation only depend on subject distance and focal length, aperture and sensor size remaining equal?
Does subject isolation only depend on subject distance and focal length, aperture and sensor size remaining equal?
From my reading of a question on depth of field, if I take a photo of a subject at ...
5
votes
1answer
474 views
How to achieve shallower DOF using multiple exposures?
For static or semi-static scenes, there are many ways to "simulate" certain features actually not feasible on single photo using the technology the photographer has. For example,
wider field of view ...
1
vote
1answer
330 views
Do crop sensors increase the depth of field when using full frame lenses?
I'm trying to achieve maximum depth of field without sacrificing light. I have a micro-4/3rds camera and i want to attach a full frame lens to it for the large and constant aperture. My question is, ...
10
votes
6answers
4k views
How can I get everything in focus?
I have a Canon 550D with 70-200 f4 and 50mm prime lenses. Although the camera has built-in 9 focal points, I sometimes face a strange problem. Here's a sample photo:
In reference to the above pic, ...
10
votes
2answers
654 views
How can I determine if my Sigma 10-20mm lens copy is appropriately sharp and focusing right?
I just purchased a Sigma 10-20mm lens (Canon mount) and based on the reviews I was aware that many people receive copies of the lens that are soft or don't focus properly. I purchased from B&H, so ...
2
votes
1answer
380 views
Can you shoot with a 55mm lens so that you have both person and background clear?
Is it possible to shoot with a 55mm lens so that you have both the close objects and the background objects (like buildings situated half a mile away) clear?
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Why is depth of field affected by focal length?
As the focal length decreases, the depth of field increases as well. Why is this? I'm not so much interested in a physics lesson as I am interested in a simple, down-to-earth explanation.
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I keep both the background and foreground in the image in focus at the same time?
How do you have both the background and foreground in the image in focus at the same time?
Last week I was attempting a shot where I had the back of a hat in focus and in the distance you could see a ...
6
votes
3answers
679 views
How can I achieve this effect, where the flower is sharp and everything else is blurry?
I was wondering how it is possible to take a picture like this.
Please have a look here for some example pictures. The flower is sharp, and everything else looks like taken with a long shutter.
Is ...
1
vote
1answer
418 views
Why does my DSLR's viewfinder ignore the aperture ring on a legacy lens?
I have a Nikon D3100, and I am borrowing an old Nikkor 50mm SLR lens (http://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f1.8_1828564.html). I've had a lot of trouble with that lens, in that pictures that appear ...
9
votes
2answers
682 views
How do I get adequate depth of field in macro photography?
I have been messing around with some Macro Photography using the techniques (and a reversal ring) described in a blog post by @ElendilTheTall My main issue is that I am having a hard time getting the ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I find a point-and-shoot camera specifically for bokeh / a very shallow depth of field?
I will be getting a point-and-shoot camera for taking portraits and only portraits. Specifically portraits with a shallow depth of field. Groups portraits sometimes. It's just too much work to add ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Will a lens with a low aperture value give me better portrait photos?
I want to take pictures of people from 5-20 feet away. I attend lots of group events and am free to walk around and snap photos.
I just purchased a Canon t3i and it comes with a 18-55mm kit lens. The ...
3
votes
6answers
977 views
What Budget DSLR has bracketing modes?
I need recommendations on entry level budget DSLRs with plenty of bracketing modes (exposure, F-stops, etc for HDR and DOF shots). I am in Germany and am willing to spend upto €600. The brand doesn't ...
1
vote
3answers
119 views
Reproduction ratio / depth of field
I know that aperture changes the depth of field (DOF), but why is it that by making the image appear larger (by getting closer to the camera or zooming in) there is less DOF?
1
vote
0answers
148 views
DOF with a telephoto lens [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
What does it really mean that telephoto lenses “flatten” scenes?
Why is depth of field affected by focal length?
Quick Question. When using telephoto ...
0
votes
2answers
4k views
Why Small aperture (less light) has Large depth of field? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Technically, why is the out of focus area blurred more when using a bigger aperture?
I understand that a small aperture (large aperture number eg. F/22) means large ...
