Depth of Field

Advanced Composition Principle

Depth of Field (DoF) refers to how much of an image is in sharp focus, from the foreground to the background. A shallow depth of field (achieved by using portrait mode, your close up feature (“Food” mode) or a wide aperture blurs the background and draws attention to the subject, making it ideal for portraits or macro photography.

A deep depth of field (achieved most easily by shooting wide angle images) keeps everything in focus, which is great for landscapes and architectural shots. Most photographs have a deep depth of field by default unless you change your settings or Zoom into the subject. Understanding and controlling depth of field allows you to create more professional, visually engaging images by emphasizing what truly matters in your composition.

Gibbs Garden, Georgia: In the image above, the goal is to use a deep depth of field, keeping the entire scene in focus - everything from the bridge to the reflection. A standard photograph of this nature, especially a wide shot, defaults to a deep depth of field as shown here. Everything appears to be in focus.

Providence Canyon, Georgia: The canyon is large and we wanted focus from the view point to the other side.

Close-up, Macro or Food Mode unlocks a world of detail that’s often missed at first glance. Perfect for capturing intricate textures, tiny patterns, or the smallest features of your subject, this mode allows you to focus on what makes something truly unique. Whether it’s the delicate veins of a leaf or the fine details of an insect, close-up mode transforms the ordinary into art. With patience and a steady hand, you’ll uncover stunning, hidden perspectives that bring your photos to life.

How close you are to an object will affect your depth of field. The closer the camera phone to the subject the less of the image will be in focus. Note the plants below. The one on the left capture the entire plant so the plants in the background are blurred; however, the image on the right is focusing on details in the individual bud so the entire flower is not in focus.

Close Up photography highlights textures as well. The petals in the image below mimic brush strokes from a painting although the image has not been altered in any way.

Many subjects, especially architectural elements look very interesting when captured in Close Up Mode. This perspective is so unusual and unexpected for the subject matter that the final results are very unique.

Passau, Germany: This close-up of etched stone lettering captures fine details and, paired with the city name, serves as a visual marker—perfect for indicating location in a photo book or slideshow.

Vienna, Austria: Taken during the blue hour, these unexpected images are almost surreal in nature. The close up of the car on the right was captured using the “Food” mode, or the close up setting on an Android phone.

Budapest, Hungary: Inside the Inner City Parish Church, we used the Food or Close-Up mode on Android to focus on a single, intricate ceiling detail—a wonderfully unexpected way to highlight the beauty of this historic architecture.

Capturing the expressions of animals through Close Up Mode highlights faces and features.

Move to the next Advanced Composition Principle: Golden Ratio

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