eliminating Depth of Field.

[prasanna_venkat]

I am totally naive to the photographer's jargon and quite dont get

the hang of it. I was trying to compose a picture where most of the

elements are in focus ( eliminate the blurry background or

foreground - DOF) like in a point and shoot. I was told that a wider

aperture will do the work. But dont know how to set the same on my

camera which is a ZX-30 with 28-80mm lens. I would like to learn

about the lenses and the settings. Any leads is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Prasanna.

[mendel_leisk]

Smaller (narrower) aperture will increase the depth of focus. Not familiar with your camera, but you would need to set the aperture and, assuming your camera has automated built-metering, allow the camera to choose the shutter speed. Look through your manual for something called "aperture priority", or similar.

[robert_davis2]

If you want everything in focus you want more DOF not less. A wider aperture [smaller number] will give you less in focus. A smaller aperture [bigger number] will give you more in focus.

[jim schwaiger]

Focusing distance is also a factor. If you are getting very close to subjects, it is difficult to get a lot of DOF.

 

To maximize DOF, use the smallest aperture (ie f/22 to f/32), use the widest angle on a zoom and get farther from your subject.