Depth of Field (DoF) refers to the range of distance within a photo that appears acceptably sharp. It is influenced by several factors, including the aperture setting of the camera lens, the focal length, and the distance from the subject. A shallow DoF results in a blurred background, emphasizing the subject, while a deep DoF keeps more of the scene in focus, which is often used in landscape photography.
Photographers can manipulate DoF to achieve different artistic effects. For instance, using a wide aperture (small f-number) creates a shallow DoF, ideal for portraits, while a narrow aperture (large f-number) increases DoF, suitable for capturing detailed landscapes. Understanding DoF helps photographers control how viewers perceive their images.