In this image a medium depth of field allows the viewer to focus on multiple subjects without creating confusion for your eyes Photo by Sebastian J. Sciotti Jr. In this image a medium depth of field allows the viewer to focus on multiple subjects without creating confusion for your eyes Download Image  Share Image: X Facebook Email Photo by: Sebastian J. Sciotti Jr. VIRIN: 170525-D-SS007-019C

Infographic illustrates how changing the aperture, the focal length and the distance from the subject affect the depth of field. Download Image  Share Image: X Facebook Email Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team VIRIN: 200907-D-PA656-0002

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The following graphic illustrates how changing these factors: aperture, focal length and the distance from the subject affect the depth of field.

The focal length of the lens determines the image magnification. The wider the lens, the shorter the focal length. This allows you to capture a wider depth of field. The longer or more zoomed in the camera lens, the less depth of field you capture.

You can affect the depth of field by changing the following factors: aperture, the focal length and the distance from the subject.

In this image a deep depth of field allows the viewer to take in many subjects, including an artillery shell mid-flight. Photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider In this image a deep depth of field allows the viewer to take in many subjects, including an artillery shell mid-flight. Download Image  Share Image: X Facebook Email Photo by: Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider VIRIN: 170918-O-N0132-7230C

The aperture is the opening created by a set of overlapping metal blades, known as the diaphragm, inside a photographic lens. This opening controls the amount of light coming through the lens. The wider the aperture, the less depth of field you capture. The smaller the aperture, the deeper the depth of field.

Depth of field (DoF) is the area between the nearest and farthest points from the camera that are acceptably sharp in an image. A deep DoF means all or most of your photo will be in focus, including the foreground, subject and background. Use a deep DoF in group photos, landscape shots and when elements in the background or foreground add to the message the photo is attempting to communicate. A shallow DoF means more narrow range will be acceptably sharp in the image. Shallow DoF is good to use when you want to isolate your subject from their surroundings, such as in a portrait or when elements in the background or foreground may be distracting.

In this image you can see how a shallow depth of field keeps the focus on the action. Photo by Samuel King In this image you can see how a shallow depth of field keeps the focus on the action. Download Image  Share Image: X Facebook Email Photo by: Samuel King VIRIN: 170908-F-OC707-0517C

Distance to subject refers to the length between the camera and the focus of the image. The closer the camera is to the subject it is focusing on, the narrower the depth of field will be. Inversely, the farther away the subject is from the camera, the wider the depth of field will be.