What is depth of field (DoF) in photography?

Depth of field (DoF) in photography refers to the area in focus between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene. This concept is essential for photographers as it affects the composition and overall aesthetics of an image. A shallow depth of field makes the subject stand out against a blurred background, which is commonly used in portrait photography to emphasize the subject. In contrast, a larger depth of field keeps more of the scene in focus and is often used in landscape photography to capture intricate details throughout the frame.

The depth of field is influenced by several factors, including the aperture size, focal length of the lens, and the distance from the subject. Understanding how DoF operates allows photographers to effectively manipulate their images to achieve desired artistic effects or clarity in storytelling.