Depth of Field How to take photographs using different depth of fields
Min Hoo Kim
Figure 1 Schematic of Nikon D90 body
Introduction This document is to help the readers understand how to take pictures of different depth of field
with a DSLR camera. As a student of PSU taking a photography class, you should have had your
lectures in basic camera functions and depth of field. However, bringing the concept of depth of
field onto your photograph is a challenge for most students. If you are one of those students, this
guide is for you. This instruction set will provide you with step by step guides to taking
photographs with deep, medium and shallow depth of field.
Warning – Be careful with the camera! DSLR cameras are extremely expensive; body
costs at least $500 and +$500 for the lenses. You will be responsible for the damage.
Nikon D90 Basics
There are many types of DSLR cameras. As a Penn State Students, you will have access to
Nikon D90 model which will be used here to explain how to take pictures of different depth of
field. This camera has numerous functionalities and components. In this guide, we will focus on
the parts that are needed for this particular task.
Camera Body
1 – Mode Dial: Switch between camera modes
2 – Subcommand Dial/Aperture Control: Use to manipulate aperture
3 – Power Switch
4 – Shutter Release Button: Press slightly for Autofocus/Press firmly to take pictures
5 – Control Panel
6 – Main Command Dial/Shutter Speed Control: Use to manipulate shutter speed
7 – Focus-mode Selector: Use to switch between manual focus / Autofocus
Lens
Figure 2 Schematic of 18-105mm lens
Zoom ring – Use to Zoom in or out
Focus Ring – Use to focus the lens (manual focus mode only)
Focus mode switch – Use to switch between manual focus / autofocus
Now that you are familiar with the parts needed for this task, let’s move on to depth of field.
Depth of Field
Depth of field (DOF for short) is the range of distance within which a subject appears acceptably
sharp (focused). Depending on what you want the photograph to show, different DOF will be
used to take pictures. Below are examples of pictures taken using different DOF.
There are two factors that determine the depth of field in any given picture:
Aperture size – Large aperture produces a shallow depth of field, whereas low aperture
produces larger depth of field. Aperture size can be manipulated using the Aperture
Control dial on the front right side of your camera (as shown in the schematics above).
Distance between subject and Camera – The photographer must consider the
compositional space when taking a picture. It is helpful for you to think about the image
in terms of foreground, middle ground and background. In order to incorporate limited
depth of field, you must have objects to fill the extreme foreground in order to exaggerate
the depth.
When you manipulate the aperture size while looking through the viewfinder, you will see the
changes in number representation on the bottom left.
Figure 3 Viewfinder
Picture Taking There are 3 major different depths of field: deep, medium and shallow. Since we are focused in
taking pictures of various DOF, it is best to pick an environment that can easily be distinguished
into foreground, middle ground and background. This enables us to take pictures that show
obvious difference between DOF’s. If an environment where majority of objects are placed in
one plane, it is hard to show different depths of field.
Deep Depth of Field
You are mostly likely to be familiar with this type of pictures. This technique not only focuses on
the subject but also retains most of the details of the surroundings. You will most likely use deep
DOF at tourist attraction where you want to take picture of your family without distorting the
beautiful background.
How to Take Deep DOF Photographs
1. Position yourself to be able to
include all the detail you want within
the picture frame. Use the Zoom
Ring to adjust zoom level if
necessary.
2. Turn your Mode Dial to M. You
won’t be able to manipulate DOF in
automatic mode.
3. Rotate the Aperture Control dial and
adjust your aperture to the large
range (between 20 and 36). You
won’t see any difference in your
viewfinder except for change in the
numerical value indicated on the
bottom left (figure 3) will tell you if
you are doing it right.
Now, because you adjusted your
aperture, the light exposure should
have changed.
4. Rotate the Shutter Speed control dial
to adjust the light exposure.
Adjust the dial so that your light
exposure lies within the acceptable
light exposure level. Pay attention to
the light exposure meter on the lower
hand of the viewfinder (figure 3).
5. If you are using automatic focus,
press the Shutter Release button
lightly to enable the auto focus to
work. When the camera is focused at
your desired subject, press the button
firmly to take the picture.
6. If you are using manual focus, rotate
the Focus Ring to focus on your
desired subject.
7. Press the Shutter Release button
down firmly to take the picture.
Medium Depth of Field
This technique uses medium DOF to focus on your subject and still provide some detail about
the surroundings. This technique can be used to photograph your subject but still give the
viewers some idea about where the picture was taken.
How to take Medium DOF Photographs
1. Position yourself to be able to
include all the detail you want within
the picture frame. Because of the
lens type restriction we have, it is
best to keep the zoom level to
maximum.
2. Turn your Mode Dial to M. You
won’t be able to manipulate DOF in
automatic mode.
3. Rotate the Aperture Control dial and
adjust your aperture to medium
range (between 10 and 20). Make
sure that you have the right aperture
number by looking at the bottom of
the viewfinder (figure 3)
4. Rotate the Shutter Speed dial to
adjust your light exposure. Make
sure the light exposure meter shows
adequate amount of exposure.
5. If you are using automatic focus,
press the Shutter Release button
lightly to enable the auto focus to
work. When the camera is focused at
your desired subject, press the button
firmly to take the picture.
6. If you are using manual focus, rotate
the Focus Ring to focus on your
desired subject.
7. Press the Shutter Release Button
down firmly to take the picture.
Shallow Depth of Field
Shallow DOF focuses solely on the subject and the objects on the same plane as your subject.
This type of photographs provide clear image of the subject and completely blur out the
surroundings, attracting viewers’ attention to the subject.
How to take Shallow DOF Photographs
1. Position yourself to be able to
include all the detail you want within
the picture frame. Because of small
aperture you need for this DOF, be
sure to have enough light sources
around the subject. For shallow
depth of field, it is best to use
maximum zoom level or be very
close to the subject.
2. Turn your Mode Dial to M. You
won’t be able to manipulate DOF in
automatic mode.
3. Rotate the Aperture Control dial and
adjust your aperture to medium
range (between 3 and 10). Pay
attention to the numbers on the
bottom left of the viewfinder.
4. Rotate the Shutter Speed dial to
adjust your light exposure. Make
sure the light exposure meter
shows adequate amount of exposure.
5. If you are using automatic focus,
press the Shutter Release button
lightly to enable the auto focus
to work. When the camera is focused
at your desired subject, press the
button firmly to take the picture.
6. If you are using manual focus, rotate
the Focus Ring to focus on your
desired subject.
7. Press the Shutter Release button
down firmly to take the picture.
You Are Ready! Now you have learned all the necessary steps to taking pictures with deep, medium and shallow
depth of fields. Using a DSLR is different from taking pictures with a smartphone camera. It
requires more than just pressing a button on your device. Some of the techniques might feel
awkward at first and you might feel that every shot takes just too much time. However, as you
keep practicing with your camera, you will get used to the techniques and become more efficient
with each shot. When you become familiar with the techniques, your camera will provide high
quality pictures that you never thought possible with the smartphone cameras.
Troubleshoot
I followed your directions and used appropriate aperture setting. But all the pictures look just
like the deep DOF pictures.
You are most likely positioned too far away from the subject. Remember, you need to be close to
the subject, or at least to the objects in foreground for your camera to capture the difference in
DOF. This is a must with the set up you have if you are using the Penn State issued Nikon D90
with 18-105mm lens.
I adjusted the aperture but my pictures just come out dark/white.
You have too much/not enough light exposure.
For dark picture: Try adjusting your shutter speed. If the pictures still come out dark, there
probably isn’t enough light to compensate just using your aperture and shutter speed. Go to the
setting and change your ISO (light sensitivity for the light receptor chip)
For white picture: Over exposure. Try adjusting your shutter speed to reduce light exposure.
All my pictures come out blurry.
The camera is shaking when you are taking the picture. If you weren’t moving, it means that
your shutter speed is too slow and is sensitive to even your slightest movement. Try using faster
shutter speed. If you need to use slower than 1/125 seconds, use your tripod to stabilize your
camera.
I can’t focus on the object using autofocus/manual focus.
You are most likely to be too close to the object. The camera has a minimum distance where the
lens can focus. Be sure to stay at least 4 inches away from the subject.
Reference
Figure 1, 2 & 3 excerpted and modified from D-90 Manual http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/kie88335f7869dfuejdl=-cww2/D90_en.pdf