Once you have the hang of using your digital camera on auto, it's time to graduate to manual mode and start experimenting with key settings such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Together, these settings make up the "exposure triangle," and they have a huge effect on the final look and feel of your photos. Tweaking one setting affects everything else, so getting your exposure right can be a bit of a balancing act!
Today, we're going to talk about depth of field, which is directly affected by the aperture setting of your camera lens. One of the pillars of manual photography, aperture adjusts the opening size at the front of your camera lens. When you adjust the aperture, two things happen: your lens lets more or less light into your camera, and it changes the depth of field of your image.
Let's delve into how to control the depth of field in your photography.
Table of contents:
- How does aperture size affect depth of field?
- How do you control depth of field?
- Putting depth of field control to use
- Picking the right aperture for your image
- Frequently asked questions
How Does Aperture Size Affect Depth of Field?
The aperture of your camera lens impacts both the exposure and depth of field in your image. When we talk about depth of field, we are referring to how much of your image is in focus — or how distant an item is in the image before it goes out of focus.
An image with a shallow depth of field will have less of the foreground and background in focus, which means your central point of focus will appear sharper in comparison. On the other hand, an image with a deep depth of field will have much more of the image in focus, from the main focal point through to the background.
Aperture settings are presented in designated numbers known as f/stops. Here's where it gets tricky: a smaller number, such as f/1.4, is actually a larger aperture (a bigger opening), while a larger number, like f/16, is a smaller opening that lets in less light.
How Do You Control Depth of Field?
Generally, you want to use a smaller f/number (larger aperture) when shooting in darker conditions or experimenting with a bokeh effect, and a larger f/number (smaller aperture) when you need your entire image to be sharp — such as a landscape shot.
Here's a quick cheat sheet:
- Larger aperture = smaller f/number = shallow depth of field (less of the image is in focus, blurred background)
- Smaller aperture = larger f/number = deep depth of field (more of the image is in focus, sharp background)
Putting Depth of Field Control to Use
To start with, it's a good idea to play around with Aperture Priority mode while you're still getting comfortable. All you do is select the aperture, and your camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed — allowing you to experiment with different depths of field without worrying about full manual exposure.
When you're ready to take off the training wheels, switch to full manual mode. You can change the aperture by twisting the physical dial around the front of your lens or using the control dial on the back of the camera.
Different styles of photography suit different depth of field settings:
- Portrait photography. In portraiture, it's common to keep the subject sharp while intentionally blurring the background. This is achieved with a shallow depth of field (low f/number like f/1.8–f/2.8).
- Landscape photography. When capturing a sweeping landscape, photographers want as much of the scene as possible to be sharp. A deep depth of field (f/8–f/16) is the go-to.
- Wildlife photography. To isolate subjects from busy backgrounds, wildlife photographers often use a larger aperture. This also helps in low-light conditions.
- Product photography. Most product photographers use a smaller aperture to keep items sharp and in focus throughout the frame.
Picking the Right Aperture for Your Image
Use this table as a quick reference when choosing your aperture:
| F-number | Aperture size | Depth of field effect |
|---|---|---|
| f/1.4 to f/2.8 | Large aperture | Shallow — blurred background (bokeh) |
| f/4 to f/8 | Medium aperture | Moderate — balanced sharpness |
| f/11 or greater | Small aperture | Deep — foreground and background both sharp |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between shallow and deep depth of field?
A shallow depth of field means only a small portion of the image is in sharp focus — typically the subject — while the background is blurred. A deep depth of field means most or all of the image is in sharp focus, from foreground to background.
What aperture should a beginner start with?
A great starting point is f/5.6 — it gives you a moderate depth of field that works well in most situations, and it's easy to expose correctly. From there, experiment by going wider (lower f/number) for portraits and narrower (higher f/number) for landscapes.
Does depth of field only depend on aperture?
No — while aperture is the primary control, depth of field is also affected by your distance to the subject and your focal length. The closer you are to your subject, and the longer your focal length, the shallower the depth of field will be, even at the same aperture.
What is bokeh?
Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus blur in an image — particularly the way background light sources render as soft, rounded shapes. It's achieved with a wide aperture (low f/number) and is especially popular in portrait and macro photography.
Can I control depth of field on a smartphone?
Most modern smartphones simulate depth of field using computational photography (Portrait Mode). However, for true optical control over depth of field, a dedicated camera with interchangeable lenses gives you far more creative flexibility.
What camera mode is best for practising depth of field?
Aperture Priority mode (marked as A or Av on most cameras) is ideal for beginners. You set the aperture, and the camera handles the rest — letting you focus on the creative effect without worrying about full manual exposure.
Ready to Experiment with Depth of Field?
If you can master aperture, you'll have far more creative control over your images — and there's no better feeling than nailing that perfect shot. Browse our range to find the right gear for your photography journey:
- Mirrorless Cameras — Lightweight and packed with features, ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
- DSLR Cameras — A classic choice with excellent lens compatibility and optical viewfinders.
- Camera Lenses — The right lens makes all the difference. Explore our full range to find your perfect match.
Or visit us in-store at a Ted's Cameras location — our experts are happy to walk you through your options and help you find the perfect setup.