Depth of focus
Take a photo with shallow depth of focus may help separate an object or subject from the background. This is a good way to isolate one element, or several, for the viewer to focus on them. This feature is especially useful when we have a background full of things that will distract the viewer.
What we are basically doing is focusing on the focus and blur everything but we want to show (also called selective focus).
Remember that to achieve shallow depth of focus we have to use a diaphragm open. The more open the aperture, the less depth of focus will be in the picture.
We can also achieve shallow depth of focus using a lens focal length longer. The longer the focal length of lens depth of focus unless we achieve. And the closer we are to the object to be photographed less depth of focus we have.
I can use any of these options, or even combine 2 or more, to achieve the desired effect.
Make it clear that we do not always want or need shallow depth of focus. There are times when the environment and the elements in the scene to help improve the image and tell a story. We have to decide what is best for the image: little or great depth of field.
Generally when we landscapes we want a large depth of focus in portraits and less depth of field. But definitely this is a rule to break.
This photo was taken a few years ago on the beach in Brazil. I used Kodak film Tmax 3200 black and white. That's why the image has little grain and definition. The choice of the film was intentional because I just wanted to get this style of photo.
To remove the photo I used a small aperture (f/16) because I wanted the background were in focus. I wanted to show my niece obviously, but also wanted to show where it was.
Therefore in this case I wanted to have a large depth of focus. The fund did not have too many items then there would be a distraction for the viewer.
