Have you ever felt like you can't get your photos to stand out from the crowd? Well, you're not alone.
Many times photographers that are just starting out don't realize how depth of field can transform their shots from ordinary to extraordinary.
So, what does depth of field (DOF) mean in photography? A common definition would be how sharply focused your picture is.
If your DOF is small, or shallow, your subject will be extremely sharp, and the background will be greatly blurred.
However, if you have a large, or deep one, everything will be in focus.
There are positives and negatives to a small DOF.
They are useful if you want your audience to focus their attention on your subject right away because it will be the only part of the picture that is in focus.
The point you are trying to get across will be easier to convey because only a limited amount of objects are able to be seen.
However a small DOF would not be good if you were trying to take a picture of a mountain or the sea because you wouldn't be able to see the whole picture clearly.
The way to obtain a larger depth of field so all of your photo will be in focus is to have a greater aperture.
A large DOF is perfect for a panoramic shot of a field or monument.
Although if you are trying to shoot the intricate details of a flower, I would recommend sticking with a small DOF, which would also require a small aperture (so you can obtain the small depth of field).
Remember that changing your aperture and changing your depth of field go hand in hand.
Your depth of field will never change if you always maintain a small aperture.
Even though it can be hard to get a large aperture (because large apertures don't let in a lot of light), they are worth it because the whole picture will be in focus.
I hope that now you know enough about depth of field that you start experimenting with it in your pictures.
Although it's just one component of your photograph, it really can "make" a picture.
Good luck!