| In part one of this series, we talked about the rule of | | | | than 1/250th of a second. |
| thirds. In this installment, we'll talk about depth of field. | | | | If a picture would be perfectly exposed at F/4 for 1 |
| This technique will be used for every one of your | | | | 250th of a second, you could change your combination |
| pictures and it's relatively easy. | | | | to F/16 and 1/60th of a second to get the same |
| Depth of field is the zone of focus in your picture. | | | | exposure. Even though the exposure would be the |
| Even with the simplest digital cameras, you'll have a | | | | same for both pictures, the amount of area in focus in |
| method to use to control what's in focus in your | | | | the photograph would be much more with the F/16 |
| photograph. Most advanced 35mm film cameras have | | | | setting. You probably won't be able to preview the |
| a depth of field preview button on them to let you | | | | depth of field, but you'll see the results in seconds on |
| observe the zone of focus before you take the | | | | the camera screen after you snap the picture. |
| picture. Only a very high end (read expensive!) digital | | | | If the reading on your camera screen says F/4 and |
| cameras have this feature. | | | | you want more depth of field, use the control to lower |
| You have two things at your control to make a good | | | | the shutter speed. Have the camera in the "shutter |
| exposure with your camera: shutter speed and F/stop | | | | priority" mode. This is either "S" or "Tv" on the control |
| or aperture. To sum it up, these two features control | | | | dial. When you lower the shutter speed, the F/stop will |
| the intensity of light and the duration of light. The F/stop | | | | go up and increase the area of focus for you. Most |
| is your main control for depth of field, but the shutter | | | | experts agree that 1/60th of a second is the most |
| speed will come into play as you will see. | | | | amount of time to use for hand-held pictures. If it's on a |
| If you'd like more area to be in focus, you need a small | | | | tripod, you can ignore this to some degree. |
| F/stop. To confuse matters, smaller F/stops have | | | | If you keep in mind that you're playing with light in |
| larger numbers. F/16 is a smaller opening than F/4. | | | | photography, you'll understand the concepts much |
| Much more will be in focus with the lens at F/16 than | | | | better. How much light and for what duration is the |
| at F/4. If you use F/16, which is a small portal to let light | | | | basics of photography. Control this and you can control |
| into the camera, you have to let it in for longer duration. | | | | depth of field. It may sound difficult, but once you do it, |
| This is when shutter speed comes in. Keep in mind | | | | it'll be automatic. |
| that 1/60th of a second is a longer amount of time | | | | |