DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF)

Definition of Term

• the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appears acceptably sharp in an image.

Links  CAMBRIDGE in COLOR on Depth of Field Summary The DOF is determined by three factors: The APERTURE or F/Stop (how large or small the opening in the lens) Camera-to-subject distance (how close the subject is to the lens) Lens focal length (the amount zoomed)

Media

Diagrams & Images

• The area within the depth of field appears sharp, while the areas in front of and beyond the depth of field appear blurry
  
  
• Although a lens can precisely focus at only one distance at a time, the decrease in sharpness is gradual on each side of the focused distance, so that within the DOF, the unsharpness is imperceptible under normal viewing conditions.
  
  
• In some cases, it may be desirable to have the entire image sharp, and a large DOF is appropriate. In other cases, a small DOF may be more effective, emphasizing the subject while de-emphasizing the foreground and background. In cinematography, a large DOF is often called deep focus, and a small DOF is often called shallow focus.