How to Shoot for Depth of Field

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

In order to accurately shoot for depth of field (DOF), no matter which end of the depth of field 'scale' you want to shoot, requires some knowledge of it. It is the in focus' part of the shot. Shutterbug.net states it well, "Depth of field refers to the area in front of and beyond the point focused upon in which things appear acceptably sharp in a photograph."

Some uses of DOF are:

Landscape - Large DOF
Portrait - Medium DOF
Macro - Small DOF

Steps

1
Make it work for you. You will always have some type of DOF in your shots so make it work for you, not against you.
2
Use the modes that your camera came with. That is the quickest and easiest way to get the right depth of field.

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3
Learn what controls your depth of field and how.
- Aperture
  - A smaller aperture (F/22) will increase the DOF and a larger aperture {F2) will decrease the DOF.
    - One way to make sense of the 'aperture dilemma' is to put it into a fraction. One half (F2) is going to be much larger than one twenty-second (F22).
- Focal Length
  - Shorter focal length (50mm) will increase the depth of field and longer focal length (200mm) will decrease it.
    - Note: The lens lengths are given as examples and not what would define the focal lengths.
- Focusing distance
  - Greater focusing distances (shooting further away from you) increase depth of field ), while shorter focusing distances (shooting closely, like in macro) decrease it.
4
Use your DOF scale. Set the focusing ring’s infinity mark (sideways 8) opposite of the selected aperture mark on the depth-of-field scale. The depth of field will then run from half the focused distance to infinity.
5
If you have it, use your DOF preview. Some cameras come with the ability to preview your image and showing your DOF. Take advantage of it, if you have it.
6
Learn to use your DOF creatively.
7
Learn your lens'^{[1]
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Research source}(CoC).

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