shallow depth of field

USAGE SUMMARY

"shallow depth of field" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in photography or film to describe a specific effect where only a small portion of the photograph or film is in focus, while the rest is blurred. Example: The photographer used a shallow depth of field to create a dreamy, ethereal effect in the portrait.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The shallow depth of field adds drama.

The New York Times

Ditto if you want the shallow depth of field aesthetic.

The Guardian - Arts

It's great for creating shallow depth of field".

The New York Times - Tech

Each picture has unbelievable detail and very shallow depth of field.

The Guardian - Arts

The shallow depth of field is also quite remarkable, creating pleasing bokeh effects.

The Guardian - Tech

You'll also hear that defocusing effect called "bokeh" or "shallow depth of field".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Shallow depth-of-field is commonly used by photographers to isolate a subject from a distracting background.

Stanford University

The biggest one is that that huge sensor makes shallow depth-of-field effects (blurry background) easy and absolutely great-looking.

The New York Times

Portrait mode, a major feature of the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones, allows anyone to take professional-looking shallow depth-of-field images.

Stanford University

We present a system to computationally synthesize shallow depth-of-field images with a single mobile camera and a single button press.

Stanford University

A shallow depth-of-field can create striking photographs of a subject with a blurry background.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a "shallow depth of field", use a wide aperture (low f-number) on your camera. This lets in more light and creates a more pronounced background blur, making your subject stand out.

Common error

Don't assume that a low f-number (like f/1.8) guarantees a perfectly blurred background. The distance to your subject and the focal length of your lens also significantly impact the "shallow depth of field" effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shallow depth of field" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific photographic and cinematographic technique. It is frequently used to describe images where only a small portion is in focus, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shallow depth of field" is a common and correct term used in photography and cinematography to describe a technique where only a small part of an image is in focus, effectively blurring the background. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news media, academic research, and scientific publications. To achieve this effect, photographers typically use a wide aperture (low f-number) which helps to isolate the subject. Remember that the focal length and distance to the subject also play significant roles in the final result. Alternative phrases include "narrow depth of field" and "limited depth of field".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Narrow depth of field

Replaces "shallow" with "narrow", emphasizing the small area in focus.

Limited depth of field

Uses "limited" instead of "shallow", highlighting the restricted focus range.

Small depth of field

Substitutes "shallow" with "small", directly indicating the size of the focused area.

Selective focus

Focuses on the technique's effect rather than the measurement of the field's size.

Differential focus

Highlights that different elements in the image have a different level of focus.

Background blur

Describes the effect of a shallow depth of field, namely the blurred background.

Bokeh effect

Refers specifically to the aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas.

Out-of-focus background

Specifies that the background is not in focus because of the technique.

Aperture priority

Describes the camera mode used to easily achieve shallow depth of field.

Blurred background photography

Focuses on the type of photography created using shallow depth of field.

FAQs

How does aperture affect "shallow depth of field"?

A wider aperture (smaller f-number) decreases the depth of field, creating a more pronounced background blur. Conversely, a narrower aperture (larger f-number) increases the depth of field, bringing more of the scene into focus.

What is the purpose of using a "shallow depth of field"?

Using a "shallow depth of field" helps to isolate the subject from the background, drawing the viewer's attention to the main focus of the image. It also creates a visually appealing, artistic effect, often referred to as "bokeh effect".

How does lens focal length affect "shallow depth of field"?

Longer focal length lenses (telephoto lenses) tend to produce a shallower depth of field compared to shorter focal length lenses (wide-angle lenses), even at the same aperture. This is why portrait photographers often use lenses with focal lengths of 85mm or longer.

What are some alternative terms for "shallow depth of field"?

Alternatives include "narrow depth of field", "limited depth of field", or simply referring to the "bokeh effect" created by a shallow depth of field.