A Photo a Week Challenge: Depth of Field

depth_of_field_nmp

Depth of field in photography (and light in general) is how narrow a strip of what you are looking at is in focus. In photography, the depth of field is controlled by two things: your f-stop (aperture) and the length of your lens (mm). To narrow your depth of field using aperture, use a smaller f-stop number. This will open your shutter wider and let more light in. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but that’s how the light refracts. Also, longer lenses (50 mm and higher are so much fun for portrait work) will give you a narrower depth of field. So if you want to shoot something up-close and personal with great bokeh (blurring) in the background, use a smaller f-stop and a longer lens. If you want to capture a grand landscape, use a shorter lens with a higher f-stop. Simple, right? Right.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO (OR THREE…) PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR DEPTH OF FIELD.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography. Here’s how it works:

  1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
  2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
  3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
  4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

83 thoughts on “A Photo a Week Challenge: Depth of Field”

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    1. Thanks, Shelley. I was so happy with how this turned out. I was pretty sure I had it the way I wanted it, but it can be difficult to tell on the little screen in the back of the camera. 🙂 At least now we don’t have to wait until the prints come back before we know if we have what we want or not. Whew!

      Reply

      1. You’re welcome. Yes it is fun when the pictures turn out like we hope they will. LOL – That little screen isn’t big enough, that’s for sure. I’m so glad we don’t have to wait to find out, digital photos are so fun.

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    1. Me, too. I’m always on the lookout for interesting depth of field shots. I just have to make sure to reset my camera when I’m taking portraits, or faces can look a little strange if the only thing in focus is their right nostril. 😉

      Reply
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