How to create a shallow depth of field

When it comes to taking pictures, having the subject clearly in focus is very important. The pictures quality is usually determined by the transitions from bright to dark and the sharpness of the subject. If your pictures subject is out of focus the image will be lesser quality. Even if you’ve got the highest mega pixel count and best camera sensor!
Depth of field is about having the subject clearly focused. Learning how to create a shallow depth of field is relatively easy and can make pictures much better quality. Here’s why: When you have the background out of focus the subject that is in focus will look that much more focused. Even if your subject is slightly out of focus, the highly unfocused background will make the focused subject look very clear and sharp.

Shallow depth of field can be performed simply by zooming in with your camera and adjusting the focus. This, however, is a quick and easy way to create shallow depth of field. The best way is to control the cameras settings.

Shallow depth of field is created by having a large aperture of, say F/5.6 or larger. When taking shallow depth of field photos I usually go to aperture priority and let the camera set the shutter speed for me. However, be careful! Some pictures may require longer exposures and if you don’t have a tripod your shot will end up being blurry and out of focus.

When taking shallow depth of field photographs, be sure not to just take the picture. There’s a big difference from taking pictures and composing them. Look at the background! See what will appear in the background and see if it accentuates your subject. Every part of your image should have something to do with your subject or the message you’re trying to tell. Even if the backgrounds out of focus, you need to pay careful attention to it.

Telephoto lenses are usually a favorite when shooting shallow depth of field photographs. The more you zoom into the subject the more out of focus the background will become.

When people think of shallow depth of field usually it’s the idea of having the foreground in focus and the background blurred out of focus. However, try having the background in focus and the foreground out of focus. This can make for different pictures than usual.

A variation to this is having the middle ground in focus and the background and a foreground object out of focus. This can be seen in films a lot when there is an over the shoulder shot and the shoulder and background are blurred out of focus but the character is fully in focus.

Having the middle ground in focus is also used in very close up photographs. A flower could be focused right in the middle and have the background and part of the front out of focus as well. These photos are very interesting.

Depth of field is very effective in directing the viewer to where you want them to look. Having your subject easily recognized will make for better photographs.

Al Sanchez has a great program that teaches how to take better photos easily.