Technique Tips: Controlling Depth of Field

There are three ways to control depth of field or photography technique to create depth of field: change f-stop or aperture setting for low depth of field, focal length setting of lens for low depth of field, change camera position.

1. To increase depth of field:
   
   a. Change to a smaller lens aperture (higher f-number setting)
   
   b. Change to a shorter focal length lens
   
   c. Move farther from the subject (with or without the lens or aperture change)
    

2. To decrease depth of field:
   
   a. Change to a larger lens aperture (lower f-number setting)
   
   b. Change to a longer focal length lens
   
   c. Move closer to the subject (with or without the lens or aperture change)
    

You can use one, two or all three of the methods on how to control the depth of field for increasing effect in either situation. However, if you wish to keep the image size of the main subject constant, you are limited to changing only the f-stop.
 

More information about Depth of Field