# Depth of Field

<span lang="EN">The **depth of field** is the distance between the nearest and furthest in-focus objects in an image. A narrow depth of field will have a very narrow area in which objects will be in focus. A wide (or large) depth of field will put most elements of the image in focus. </span>

[![image.png](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/scaled-1680-/ZvSimage.png)](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/ZvSimage.png)

<p class="callout info"><span lang="EN">Depth of field is influenced by several **camera settings** including **aperture** (f-stop) and the **lens focal length**.</span></p>

<p class="callout success"><span lang="EN">**Lower f-stop settings** (f/1.2 - f/2.8) have **shallow depths of field**.</span></p>

<p class="callout success"><span lang="EN">**Higher f-stop settings** (f/11 - f/32) have **wider depths of field**.</span></p>

<p class="callout info">**Longer focal lengths** (like the **105mm** setting on the Canon EF 24-105mm lens) will have a **shallow depth of field**.</p>

<p class="callout info">**Shorter focal lengths** (like the **24mm** setting on the Canon EF 24-105mm lens) will have a **wider depth of field**.</p>

<span lang="EN">Turning the **focus ring** on the lens will adjust the position of the in-focus area, or ***focal point***.</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-shallow-depth-of-fie" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.3333%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td>![image.png](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/scaled-1680-/4khimage.png)

</td><td>![image.png](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/scaled-1680-/4lnimage.png)

</td><td>![image.png](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/scaled-1680-/7mXimage.png)

</td></tr><tr><td>**Shallow Depth of Field**  
Aperture = f/1.4. DOF = 0.8 cm</td><td>**Medium Depth of Field**

Aperture = f/4.0. DOF = 2.2 cm

</td><td>**Wide Depth of Field**  
Aperture = f/22. DOF = 12.4 cm  
</td></tr></tbody></table>

The camera's **distance to the subject** can also influence **depth of field**.

<p class="callout info">The **depth of field** will be **wider** when the camera is focused on **more distant subjects**.</p>

<p class="callout info">The **depth of field** will be **shallower** when the camera is focused on **closer subjects**.</p>

[![image.png](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/scaled-1680-/rG6image.png)](https://scil-wiki.su.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-01/rG6image.png)