Advantages of Using Depth-of-field

This week I wanted to feature one photo that truly brings out an amazing feature that you can achieve on virtually any DSLR camera.  The use of depth-of-field is an amazing technique that allows the photographer to separate the subject from the background, as seen in the photo below.  On a standard 18-55mm lens with an aperture of f/3.5, it may be hard to achieve the same photo as this one.

This particular picture was taken with a 50mm prime lens with an aperture of f/1.8.  In order to get such a soft background, I mad sure that I gave enough distance between my subject and the background, which is why you only see the subjects face and not his whole body.  Testing a variety of lenses with different f stops will give you different results and I think it is great practice for anyone who wants to go into the field of photography.

Capturing the subject with a soft focus on the background in Philadelphia, PA.  Pictured: Michael McGary of Valley Forge Christian College.