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