ABSTRACT
Depth of field (frequently abbreviated DoF) refers to the extent to which certain objects that are near to the lens, and others further from it, in the same camera shot, are all in sharp focus. The “field“ is the close-to-far zone that is actually in-focus, and it can be as small as a few inches in depth in the most extreme situations, or it can be almost infinitely deep if the conditions are right. Shallow depth of field results in foreground elements appearing in sharp focus while the far background is out of focus; or the opposite, where the background is sharp and the foreground appears soft. Deep depth of field allows for both the foreground and background to appear in sharp focus. The control of depth of field is a powerful visual tool. There are many reasons to strive for a particular state of DoF, to control the area of greatest interest for the viewer, or to create mood. The lighting designer, director, camera operator, and video controller can collaborate to create shallower or deeper depth of field to achieve the desired look. Therefore, an understanding of the techniques to manipulate DoF, as well as the aesthetic effects that can result, is valuable knowledge for the lighting professional.
