Using Camera Lenses : What is Depth of Field?

Understand depth of field to make great photographs; learn how to use camera lenses for manual and digital cameras in this free video on photography and camera ownership.

Expert: James Flint
Bio: James Flint has been working with computers professionally for more than 10 years.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• photography
• camera
• manual
• lens
• owners

[TheBaconroll]

@surferboy36O The principle of plate cameras is that both the lens panel and the film panel are moveable back and forth to focus and swivel. When you tilt the lens down you alter the plane of focus. To correct this you swivel the film plane to bring all the image into focus. Have a look at this video on UTube which shows what I mean. /watch?v=gR4m70xr9mE&feature=r­elated

[surferboy36O]

@TheBaconroll I agree, I'm just saying I've heard worse. I've never used a plate camera, but wouldn't it have a really shallow DOF because of the plate size? You would have to be much further away to get the three items in focus.

[TheBaconroll]

@surferboy36O Hi. If one is going to try and teach one should be better at explaining it. Actually if he used the plate camera, the one in the middle, you could get all that distance in focus without the need of DOF by using the front and back camera movements.

[surferboy36O]

@TheBaconroll Although it was a poor explanation, and not the most eloquent, I understood it quite well. He only discussed changing the DOF by means of changing the aperture (and leaving the other variables alone). But I guess this must be hard to follow for a begginer, specially cause of his use of the terms.

[TheBaconroll]

I have been a pro photographer for 45 years and you confused me. This is the worst explanation of DOF I think I have heard. Getting those three objects into focus relying on DOF involves lens to subject distance, focal length of the lens and point of focus. Lighting also comes into the equation. Small apertures require a lot of light - unless you are using a camera with lens and back movements.

[cypeapplejuice]

@Emiiliie221993 Re-read what I said! You just reworded my comment in simpler terms!

I was addressing the uploader, & his opening line was:

"When thinking about depth of field and aperture it's important to understand 3 basic elements, and that's your foreground, your midground and your background. Because when taking photographs your aperture setting is going to determine which of these items are in focus"

Now you tell me that statement isn't misleading to people who don't understand DOF :|

[Emiiliie221993]

@cypeapplejuice i think you need to do some research. your focus ring allows you to change WHAT YOU WANT in focus. But you need to change the aperture to also determine HOW MUCH you want in focus. otherwise known as, depth of field.

[cypeapplejuice]

I've just come from your Medium Format, and Large Format videos,

APERTURE DOES NOT CONTROL FOCUS, YOUR FOCUS RING DOES!?!?!

'Foreground/Midground - Midground/Background' -- WTF are you talking about -- This is not depth of field, you move your depth of field on the image plane with your camera's focus. YOUR APERTURE DOES NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE DEPTH OF FIELD IS FOCUSED ON, THE FOCUS RING DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expertvillage are not giving any expert advice, James Flint's videos are misleading.

[GORINGRANGERS]

cheers



[SBreeze80]

Cool video. I'm just learning myself, I've found a lot of helpful tips at thephotographyclinic (.) com