Certain scene shots in movies or video clips can leave a lasting impression in the memory of the viewer. One of the ways film makers and video producers achieve this is through ‘Depth of Field’ shots.

As a technical term in film and video production; a depth of field refers to video shots in which objects in aspects or areas of a scene are in an acceptable degree of focus. In order words, it is a situation in which objects are in acceptable focus in a scene shot.

As a video production technique, depth of field can direct the viewer’s attention to the scene that you want them to focus on without being distracted by other events or objects in the scene, while at the same time successfully ensuring that everything you want to be in focus is actually in focus.

Deciding how much depth of field one requires in a shot or series of shots is a technical and creative skill that filmmakers should posses in order to be able to maximize the desired effect of its application.

However, there are a few technical factors that could impact on your ability to effectively control your depth of field. These include:

1.     Size of Image Sensor or Area.

In general terms, the larger your sensor or film area, the shallower your depth of field becomes. Technically speaking though, this may not be as simplistic as it sounds since there are many pieces to actual depth of field. However, though same may achieve this effect using larger sensor; most people are able to achieve a deeper depth of field using smaller sensors.

2.     Aperture.

One of the many ways man has copied nature is the development of the camera lens imitating how the human and animal lens adjust to the amount of light available in the environment to see images both near and far; the manner in which we are able to use of the camera aperture.

For instance; closing the aperture view increase the depth of view, while opening it makes it much shallower. This is why professionals like those in Film District Dubai know that lens matter in determining the quality of the final video production. For instance, an f/1.4 lens can create an image with a much shallower depth than a similar one that only reaches f/2.8.

3.     Focal Length.

Professional film and video makers know that achieving the right focal length with camera lens go a long way in determining the overall effect of the shot. While some generally believe that having long cameras with long focal lenses makes it easier to achieve a shallow depth of field; it is, however, how the focal length of a camera is used to achieve different perspectives of objects relative to their distances from the camera that ultimately determine the degree of shallowness or depth of field of an image.

4.     Distance from the Lens.

Distances from the lens of the camera in use can dramatically affect the overall output of a shot; though this is one of the least technically understood aspects of photography and Video Production in Dubai. Distances from the lens determine the shallowness or depth of field of an image.  Irrespective of the aperture setting, the closer the image is to the camera lens, the shallower the depth of field.

Why should Depth of Field Matter in Filmmaking and Video Production?

Depth of field is an important tool for filmmakers as it helps to –

• Provide a focus point for the audience to look at in a frame.

• It adds to the aesthetic value of a scene or shot.

• It enhances the emotional effect of a scene when used in conjunction with focal length.

In conclusion, effective use and control of depth of field is a technical ability that can enhance the overall effect of a film or video production. It is a technical ability that should be acquired by video producers and filmmakers in order to produce effective videos.