dof question...

[kalee]

i know this is a very general question, or i'm assuming it is.
i know what dof is, how do i create it?

any rules on the settings?

thanks so much!

[Littlenose]

try a search int eh forum for "DOF" and you'll get a LOT of useful info... you control the DOF field with the aperture...
i don't know which camera you're using, but i have the ixus400 as my compact camera, and i couldn't control the aperture directly, it is automatically adjusted by the camera [although i can fool it sometimes]... good luck with the search.

[w10d]

A few basic 'rules of thumb':

DoF increases as the aperture gets smaller (higher number).
Dof appears greater with wider angle lenses and shallower with telephoto lenses.
(So, 35mm camera, F4 200mm lens; very little DoF, F16 28mm lens; lots of DoF).
DoF extends further behind the point of focus than in front of it, thus with a small aperture & wide angle lens you can focus on a point (say 8 feet away) & have the focus extend to infinity.
Check out 'hyperfocal distance' for more info.

As I say, these are very basic guide lines!

[GeoffUK]

I presume DOF is an abreviation for Depth of Field. My limited knowledge would explain it like this:
Depth of field is linked to the value of the aperture. The smaller the aperture the greater the depth of field. Shallow depth of field is used in portraits and a larger aperture is set. The background is much out of focus allowing the subject to take priority. When you are photographing landscapes or distance, etc. the smaller the aperture the more the background* is in focus. There are tables to give you the amount of focus and range.
Your manual will give you details.
Hope this helps,
GeoffUK

[kalee]

buh... my manual seems 'crowded' with stuff.
i guess, what i'd specifically like to know, and again, i know this is hard to answer,
is if i've got a model about 3 feet from me, and i want the background to be blurry,
how to i do it?
lol

[GeoffUK]

buh... my manual seems 'crowded' with stuff.
i guess, what i'd specifically like to know, and again, i know this is hard to answer,
is if i've got a model about 3 feet from me, and i want the background to be blurry,
how to i do it?
lol

Simply take the shot with the largest aperture possible .........
Make any other adjustments to make this possible.
I presume you would also attempt to expose it without a flash because this might increase the focus. The result is the capability of your camera. But I am now out of my depth.......
Hope this helps,
GeoffUK

[pcasciola]

I use this:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

[CyberDyneSystems]

Te trouble is,. DOF is also effected by the size of the sensor,. in a compact digital,. the sensor is so small,. that your DOF id never gooing to get very shallow,. you will allwyas have a large depth of field. This has an upside of course,. more stuff in focus menas less possibility to miss focus,. but you really will have a hard time using selevtive focus techniques.

[CRE@TE]

I noticed you mention you have an Canon A75. I also have this camera. I find it difficult to usually get a shallow DOF with this type of camera. I typically use the Macro function and zoom to the max. The apeture is at it's widest for the telephoto setting, approx. 4.8 . At times i have been able to get ok results. Give it a try, see if it works for you. :lol:

[kalee]

thank you all very much!
:)

[Raj]

I use this:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Thanks a million for this link Phil, very useful !

[Monarque1972]

it's true that the macro function, along with a fully extended zoom, will give you a nice blurry background, but you have to be so close to the person (if it's a person you're trying to take a picture of) in order to have a well focused subject that there's almost no background left in the picture.

But if your subject is a pretty small object, it's very easy to get a very nice blurry background with your macro founction.

I own a powershot A95 by the way!!!

[cactusclay]

That's really funny, my manual seems crowded with stuff too, or maybe it's just my head.