Yo Photographer
Register for FREE!
Go Back   Photography Forum > General Photography Forums > Photography Talk


Log-in/register to unlock all the member quick-links and features!
Reply
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 > Last »


Greyhawk's Avatar
Greyhawk
Senior Member
Greyhawk is offline
Greyhawk is Female
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South East
Posts: 1,753
 
02-08-08, 12:56 AM
#1

Lesson 2: Depth of Field


Lesson Two - Depth of Field


Depth of field (DoF) can be manipulated to give different effects. With a shallow DoF (f2.0 for example) only part of your image will be sharp, whilst the rest will be blurred. By increasing the f-Number (Aperture) you can bring more of the shot into focus. To see a diagram of how the Depth of Field works please click here.

Why would I want to change my Aperture and increase/decrease depth of field?

Changing the DoF can be used to give your photographs more emphasis. If you want to draw attention to a particular point, then you could use a shallow DoF to ensure only the area you want is in focus (e.g. taking a portrait and focusing on the eyes), this allows you to isolate the subject from it's background (very useful if you have a distracting or unsightly background). However if you were taking a landscape shot, you would want a much larger DoF as you want more of the shot to be in focus.

How do I change the DoF?

To change the Depth of Field, you need to adjust your Aperture settings. Most cameras have an 'Aperture Priority' mode (Av on Canon's), you need to put your camera in this mode then you have the option to change the Aperture. Take a look at the examples below to see how the Aperture (F Number) can affect the DoF:

f3.5


f6.3



f11



Another set:

f3.5



f8


f16


(Can anyone tell I was hot and hungry when taking these photo's?? ).

Your task:

Your task for this month is to take a series of 3 photo's and change the DoF to see the effect it has on your photographs. I would suggest using the following apertures f3.5, f6.3, f11 or f3.5, f8, f16 to be able to see the effect the Aperture has on the DoF.

Add your results to this thread

Good luck!

(Also take a look at post 13 for some extra info from WildWalker)
Kit 1
Canon 20D
Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS USM
Canon 100 2.8 USM Macro
Canon 10-22mm 3.5-4.5
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 85mm 1.8
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Canon Ixus V3


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
02-08-08, 01:15 AM
#2

Re: Depth of Field

Nice one GH! Look forward to seeing the entries!
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Tassle's Avatar
Tassle
Senior Member
Tassle is offline
Tassle is Female
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Truro, Cornwall UK
Posts: 939
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
26-08-08, 06:50 PM
#3

Re: Depth of Field

Humm - lots of practising going on....not sure why I'm finding this one so hard
Kit 1
Sony a700
Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3
My Compact/P&S: Sony DSC-W35


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
26-08-08, 08:07 PM
#4

Re: Depth of Field

Make sure the camera is in Aperture priority mode ..?
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Snapper's Avatar
Snapper
Senior Member
Snapper is offline
Snapper is Female
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Lincolnshire UK
Posts: 2,714
Comments/Critique welcome
 
26-08-08, 08:08 PM
#5

Re: Depth of Field

Not easy for me either Hannah, think it may be that I do not have a fast lens, can take a series that show a difference in the DOF but the settings are much slower than our lecturer has used so the effect is different and not very satisfactory. Also need to take the subject from a fair old distance; perhaps we could have a follow up lesson to help those of us who are struggling
Kit 1
Pentax K7
Pentax 60-250mm
Sigma 105mm Macro
Pentax 12-24mm
Pentax 50mm 1.4
Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma)
Kit 2
Pentax K20d
Lens as other body
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Nikon P80


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
26-08-08, 08:10 PM
#6

Re: Depth of Field

If your lens doesn't allow you to get close in, that's fine - as you can choose something bigger, eg a fence... like this:

Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Tassle's Avatar
Tassle
Senior Member
Tassle is offline
Tassle is Female
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Truro, Cornwall UK
Posts: 939
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
26-08-08, 09:42 PM
#7

Re: Depth of Field

Yeah - I was trying that today.....I think my problem is that I am trying to get too much...Will try again in the light tomorrow.

I have to say though.....Its an excellent lesson - much better when you really have to think about it
Kit 1
Sony a700
Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3
My Compact/P&S: Sony DSC-W35


     
clairelou's Avatar
clairelou
Senior Member
clairelou is offline
clairelou is Female
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: south wales uk
Posts: 3,599
Comments/Critique welcome
 
26-08-08, 09:48 PM
#8

Re: Depth of Field

er......forgot about this

when do this end azz?
Kit 1
nikon D80
nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-s IF-ED
50mm nifty fifty
Kit 2
nikon F55
AF nikon 28-80mm F/3.3-5.6
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Canon PowerShot A590IS


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
27-08-08, 01:54 AM
#9

Re: Depth of Field

End of the month Claire

Snapper/Tassle - do one at either end of the scale (lowest f number and then highest f number) and see what difference it shows.
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
27-08-08, 02:07 AM
#10

2) Depth of Field

Re: Depth of Field

Not that I drink this stuff mind you - it's what's left over after having the family around the other week

f5


f7


f14


f36
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Reply
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 > Last »

Tags
Canon 400D, Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Depth of Field Aperture, Pentax *istDS, Sigma 28-300

Top


© Copyright 2008, Yo Photographer   Yo Photographer | Contact Us | Archive | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use | Top