shallow focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"shallow focus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a type of photography or a type of technique where the subject is in sharp focus and the background is out of focus. For example, "The shallow focus in this photo highlights the subject perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Such plate boundaries are the site of interplate earthquakes of shallow focus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Great images, shallow focus, details that are pointless to describe: a gate, a pipe's shadow, a girl's fingers.

The Guardian - Arts

He doesn't say a thing, but the scene overflows with meaning, from the ringing church bells to the somber wintry light and the shallow focus that has turned the world around him into an undifferentiated blur.

The New York Times

The mix of late-80s architecture, shallow focus and electronic pop is among the only moments director Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank) gets to put a little visual spin on this otherwise plain-looking film, and it snaps together perfectly.

The Guardian - Film

Shallow focus... Still from Ridley Scott's film version of A Year in Provence I'm writing this sitting in front of a fire, in a wing of an old chateau in the Pyrenees.

The Guardian - Books

Now, the first of those two clips from Central Station has an extremely shallow focus [a sequence with Dora the letter-writer's customers] - all that's in focus is the faces, and all that's behind them is almost abstract.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

All five groups had similar NNW-ESW trends in epicenter locations, and all have shallow foci (2 12 km), similar to what has also been found earlier for other concentrated earthquake zones in Northern Norway, and the magnitude range is between ML 0.1 and 2.8.

Quaternary Science Reviews

In the presence of EGCG, HSC3 and HSC4 cells cultured atop collagen gels for 6 days displayed widespread but shallow foci of invasion.

British Journal of Cancer

Treatment with EGCG, HSC3 and HSC4 cells cultured on top of collagen gels produced widespread but shallow foci of invasion whereas control cells (EGCG-free medinvadedvandd and generated large and deep pits extending well in the collagen matrix.

British Journal of Cancer

A lot of cookery programmes have a handheld, shallow-focus, cooking-with-the-chef feel.

The Guardian

Richter first applied his magnitude scale to shallow-focus earthquakes recorded within 600 km of the epicentre in the southern California region.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shallow focus" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a photographic technique, a geological phenomenon, or an abstract concept. For clarity, pair it with related terms like "depth of field".

Common error

Avoid using "shallow focus" interchangeably with concepts like simplicity or lack of depth in arguments. While metaphorically applicable, it's crucial to ensure your audience understands the intended context; otherwise, it might create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shallow focus" is that of a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a specific technique used in photography, cinematography and also a term used in geology.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shallow focus" is a noun phrase primarily used to describe a photographic and cinematographic technique characterized by a narrow depth of field, where only a small portion of the image is in sharp focus. Its usage extends to geological contexts referring to earthquake origin depth. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is correct and usable in writing. It is most frequently found in News & Media and scientific contexts. When using the term, ensure clarity by pairing it with related terms such as "depth of field". While it can be used metaphorically, caution is advised to avoid confusion. The related phrases include "limited depth of field" and "selective focus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited depth of field

Emphasizes the limited area in focus in photography or cinematography.

narrow depth of field

Similar to limited depth of field, but highlights the narrowness of the focal plane.

selective focus

Highlights the act of choosing what to keep in focus.

differential focus

Describes the technique of creating a clear distinction between the focused and unfocused areas.

shallow depth

Shortened version focusing on the depth aspect.

small focal depth

Uses different wording to express a similar idea.

narrow plane of focus

Focuses on the plane of focus rather than the depth.

out-of-focus background

Describes the effect of shallow focus from the perspective of the background.

blurred background

Another way to describe the out-of-focus area.

restricted focus

Highlights the restriction or limitation of the focused area.

FAQs

What does "shallow focus" mean in photography?

In photography, "shallow focus" refers to a technique where only a small portion of the image is in sharp focus, while the rest is blurred. This is often used to isolate the subject and create a sense of depth.

How is "shallow focus" used in filmmaking?

Filmmakers use "shallow focus" to draw the viewer's attention to specific characters or objects, creating a visual hierarchy and guiding the audience's eye. It can also convey isolation or disorientation, as seen in examples from "The Guardian".

Is "shallow focus" the same as "narrow depth of field"?

Yes, "shallow focus" is essentially the same as a "narrow depth of field". Both terms describe a photographic situation where the area in focus is limited.

Can "shallow focus" be used metaphorically?

While primarily a technical term, "shallow focus" can be used metaphorically to describe something that lacks depth or has a limited perspective. However, ensure the context makes the intended meaning clear to avoid confusion.