Shallow DEPTH of FIELD

[David Darom]

We usually need the greatest depth of field to capture close and
distant objects in a scene or while shooting close-ups of knives.

But SHALLOW Depth-of-Field photography can be quite rewarding
if and when used correctly.

• Shallowest depth of field is achieved using the lens wide open.
this means having the aperture at its widest setting.

• Shallower depth of field is achieved with longer focal lenses or
while zooming a lens to its telephoto setting.

• Focusing on an object spaced relatively far from other objects
in front and behind it will enhance shallow depth of field if combined
with the above two options...


Here are two examples:

The picture of Larry Fuegen shot by Edmund Davidson at the
recent NY ECCKS achieved a noticeable shallow depth of field
by using all of the three above options, resulting in a
very dramatic portrait.



The field of poppies was photographed during the spring bloom
using a 350 mm mirror lens with a fixed relatively open aperture
of f5.6 that creates a very shallow depth of field. Using such a lens
to achieve this effect separates the flowers in focus from the
rest of the field creating a dramatic yet eye pleasing effect.



All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

[David Darom]

One more point worth noting regarding shallow depth of field:

• The IN-FOCUS SUBJECT or the IN-FOCUS ZONE OF THE SUBJECT
have to be "razor sharp" for the effect to be maximized.

When everything in front and behind the subject is out of focus
and the subject is slightly fuzzy, the result is of poor quality.

Having even just a few mm in absolutely sharp focus with everything
else rapidly fading out of focus can yield a dramatic result...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

[Kevin Jones]

There's so many right and I guess wrong ways to present a subject.
It makes photography so interesting.

Beautiful photos David.