Title: Listening In.

Learning Depth of Field (DOF) in photography is not only key to taking great portraits - but it’s essential in all aspects of photography. There is a time and place for shooting Wide Open… but keep in mind that just because your lens will go to a low f-stop (f/1.2, 1.4, 1.8, etc.) doesn’t mean you should shot it at that setting. As photographers we are all guilty of this, even me! I mean one spends all that crazy money on a f/1.2L piece of glass to just that right? 

So what factors into “good depth of field”? A lot of things from the distance of your subject, to the lighting, tones, colors and even what items in the frame. As a photographer you also have to keep in mind what needs to be viewed in your frame by your photos viewer. When I started off in photography I was taught how to calculate depth of field. Yes, you heard me right - a photographer needs to understand and grasp math! Trust me when I say it was one of the best lessons I’ve ever learned and once you fully grasp it you and your photos will be unstoppable. Learn focal lens distance, learn f/stop and learn how to work depth of field to your advantage.

Below is the link to DOFMaster’s online “Depth of Field Calculator” - learn it and yes, there will be a quiz.

Depth of Field Calculator: www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html