Depth of Field

Depth of field is used to control the overall impression of sharpness in a picture. The term means the distance between the nearest and furthest points in a scene that show acceptably sharp focus. The key word is ‘acceptably’ for although depth of field is measured infinite terms and is shown as such on most lenses. It is really a subjective assessment. The extent of sharp focus varies according to the factors; the aperture selected, the focal length of the lens and the focus setting.

Understanding the 'reasonably sharp' concept...

Ranges of DOF

Note that although the focus distance remains the same in all 3 instances...the range of sharpness before and after the focus point changes with a change in aperture.

Depth of field extends about one third in front of and two third behind the point of true focus. Controlling depth of field can have a dramatic effect on composition, particularly with subjects containing both near and distance objects.

A shallow depth of field throws a background out of focus, making the main subject stand out.

Subjects that have little dimensional depth; such as a façades of buildings or landscapes that concentrate on very distant views, show very little visual change as depth of field is altered.

Apertures – those with large f numbers such as 22 – give extensive depth of field, while large apertures – those with small f numbers such as f 2.8 – limit depth of field.

When dealing with Depth of field, you will have to consider the following:

Lens aperture: changing the aperture is the prime depth means of altering depth of field.

Point of Focus: the point of focus also affects the extent of depth of field with a constant f stop setting, it can be seen that depth of field is greatest with distant focus setting and smallest with near focus setting.

Focal length: Depth of field is affected by focal length. At a same focus and aperture settings, different focal length lenses give different amounts of depth of field – wide angle lenses have the most extensive depth of field at a given setting, while long focus lenses give the shallowest.

Shallow DOP(Photo Credit; Kwaku David)

Hyper focal distance: With photographs that need extensive depth of field such as a landscape with important feature, both near and far away. The best approach is not to focus on infinity, but to focus on a focal distance. This setting gives the maximum possible depth of field.

Deep DOP (Photo Credit: Kwaku David)

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BEAUTY ON THE BEACH

The beach has long been a popular location for fashion and beauty shots for the sun, sea, sand and beautiful girls combine to create the perfect environment. 

The bright, spacious atmosphere of the beach also has advantages for models and photographers. It encourages an experimental spirit and wide expanses of empty sand can be used as thou they are huge stages where the model can move without restriction, expressing herself freely without restraint. Fresh air, the smell of the sea, and warm sunshine are an intoxicating mixture to which many models respond positively, putting an extra element of vitality and dynamism into fashion and glamour pictures. 

The beach is also an ideal setting for more inspired studies of the nude. The textural qualities of sand, rock and the sea can be related to the delicate texture of naked skin in a variety of ways, and the coastline is often rich in geological features that can be used to counterpoint the human figure. 

Where there are shadows cast building and trees, beach light is predictable and, if the sand is light-toned, shadows are less strident, reducing contrast in the subject. But overall contrast can be high. The difference in brightness between pale sand or best to balance the exposure for shadow skin tones. Auto-exposure camera can be misled and you should use the override mechanism or manual exposure.

 PhotoCredits: Kwaku David Photography

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