Twelve Elements of Composition
Tips for Remarkable Photographs

Part 8-Depth of Field

Selecting how much of an image is in focus is another way to control the photograph.  This is also called selective focus.

The depth and selective focus is controlled by the focal length of your lens, the distance you are from your subject, and the f stop selected. (Details on this is my article how to use your camera settings)

The only place I look is this rooster’s beady little eye, beak, and the red thing on his head because it is the only area in focus. Even though your eye is typically drawn to the lightest area of the photograph, which in this case are the light feathers, I still get pulled to the intense expression of his eye. Notice the impact created by placing the face on the right 1/3 of the image, the rule of thirds in action again.

Selectively focusing on one subject is a great technique to use on close up shots or if the background is very busy.

Peaking through the flowers adds a bit of fun as well as drawing you into the girl’s face.

About Barb 
Barb Gordon, of www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com, is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to which she has belonged since 1984. She is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author including being published in the prestigious PPA Loan Collection 2006, PPA Showcase 2003, twice named Iowa’s Top Ten Photographer of the Year, and 2010 Iowa’s Master Photographer of the Year.