What is depth of field?
Depth of Focus vs Depth of Field (DOF) – To clear up any confusion, these terms mean the same thing. They can be used interchangeably with focus range and DOF.
Smaller f-stop value = larger aperture diameter = smaller DOF
Larger f-stop value = smaller aperture diameter = larger DOF
The following examples show small or shallow depth of field vs large or deep depth of field, in photography.
Use these examples to visualize the concept. Detailed explanations are provided below.
The first image was photographed at f/5.6 & the second image at f/16.
The example photos, rocks on a beach, show depth of field in a drastic manner, making it easy to discern.
- Depth of field or focus range is the distance between the closest and farthest objects in an image, both of which are in focus.
- All objects between these closest and farthest objects are also in focus
- The photographer can adjust the f-stop value, in turn, controlling the depth of field.
Smaller f-stop value = larger aperture diameter = smaller DOF
Larger f-stop value = smaller aperture diameter = larger DOF
The following examples show small or shallow depth of field vs large or deep depth of field, in photography.
Use these examples to visualize the concept. Detailed explanations are provided below.
The first image was photographed at f/5.6 & the second image at f/16.
The example photos, rocks on a beach, show depth of field in a drastic manner, making it easy to discern.
The red lines denote the closest (bottom) and furthest (top) objects which are in focus. All objects between these closest and furthest points are also in focus.
The red box denotes the focal point within the image. This is the location which I focused on to take the shots. The focal point always lies within the focal range, or depth of field.
In the images above, the focal point, denoted by the red box, stays at approximately the same location. The depth of
The depth of field or focus range extends beyond the focal point, as the f-stop increases from f/5.6 to f/16.
Here is another example of two landscape photos showing varying depths of field.
The first example below shows a deep also known as large depth of field. Everything in the entire image, foreground to background is in focus.
The red box denotes the focal point within the image. This is the location which I focused on to take the shots. The focal point always lies within the focal range, or depth of field.
In the images above, the focal point, denoted by the red box, stays at approximately the same location. The depth of
The depth of field or focus range extends beyond the focal point, as the f-stop increases from f/5.6 to f/16.
Here is another example of two landscape photos showing varying depths of field.
The first example below shows a deep also known as large depth of field. Everything in the entire image, foreground to background is in focus.