Minimum Depth Of Field - Image Bank

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). A classic example is when you’re photographing a landscape, where generally the most desirable outcome is to capture detail from the fore ground 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. 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.

In this image the background of the composition is blurred. Blurring the subject who is placed in the background. The person in the background is performing a action, being a throw. The in the foreground, the ball is not blurred and is in fact focussed. The positioning off the ball matches the pose of the subject, therefore illustrating one particular movement/action. Even the way in which the subject is leaning to the right of the composition, where the ball is, implies movement. A sense of depth is furthered through the size of the ball in comparison to the subjects head. The ball is similar size to his head which it isn't normally in reality, therefore implying distance between the ball and the subject as the ball seems bigger in size.

The background of this image is completely blurred in contrast to the subject in the foreground of the composition. The subject is placed to the right of the composition, looking towards the left. The subject remains the focal point despite being placed to the right of the frame. The contrast between the blur and focus enhances the tones and colour of the subject, intensifying their from and shape. Also the reflection in the mans glasses is very effective due to it being in focus.

Narrow depth of field is used in this photograph very effectively, the camera is focussed on the blue pencil. All the rest of the composition contrasts to this as both the foreground and background is blurred. This therefore allows the blue pencil to stand out from the others. Also there is a horizontal strip just below the centre of the composition which the pencil debris on the surface is in focus.

The two images above imply depth of field very similarly. The blurring that takes place in both cases enhances the detail of the objects in the foreground but also forms new shapes in the background. Where the background is blurred in both cases, circles are produced where light is present and exaggerated. In the first image the coloured lights are blurred in the background and also in the foreground and focusses on the second light. Due to this as the lights get further away, the more the shape of the light is enhanced and exaggerated. In this second photograph the plants in focus acts as a silhouette effect and intensifies the detail and shape of the plant.

In this piece a close up of a flower is created using a narrow depth of field approach. Despite this being a closeup, the edges of the petals are blurred, in contrast with the centre of the flower which is placed in the centre of the composition which is in focus. Also slightly towards the left of the composition is a bee is feeding off the flower. The fact that the majority of the composite  is blurred and the centre isn't, produces the focal point here and makes the viewers first notice the bee feeding off the flower. Also the background of the piece is seemingly dark in comparison to the much brighter colour centre area. Therefore contributing to the fact that this is the focal point as there are many reasons to why it stands out.