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Lesson 4 of 9
  • Year 10

Picture taking: depth of field

I can explain and use depth of field to take pictures

Lesson 4 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Picture taking: depth of field

I can explain and use depth of field to take pictures

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Subjects at different distances from the camera appear at different depths.
  2. The higher the f-stop, the greater depth of field, meaning more of our picture is in focus.
  3. Lower f stop settings produce a narrower depth of field, meaning more of the picture appears out of focus.

Keywords

  • Depth - how far away a subject is when referring to an image

  • Aperture - the hole that lets light into the camera, controlling depth of field

  • Focu - how sharp or blurred a subject appears

Common misconception

Depth of field is only controled by moving the camera nearer or further away from the subject.

Depth of field is mainly controlled by adjusting the aperture (f-stop).


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Picture taking: depth of field, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Prepare a selection of photographs and images that demonstrate varied depths of field and/or provide means for pupils to research their own.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Camera

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match these words with the correct definitions

Correct Answer:Lighting,How light illuminates the subject of a photograph

How light illuminates the subject of a photograph

Correct Answer:Light source,The source of light identified in a picture

The source of light identified in a picture

Correct Answer:Dramatic,Showing strong feelings or exciting action

Showing strong feelings or exciting action

Q2.
Usually, in a studio ...

a photographer does not want control over lighting.
a photographer has no control over lighting.
Correct answer: a photographer has greater control over lighting.

Q3.
One of the advantages of shooting outdoors is ...

Correct answer: bright, naturally occurring light.
reliable control of light source.
bright, artificial light.

Q4.
Using a light source on either side of your subject will ...

Correct answer: minimise shadows and can create even levels of light.
create dramatic lighting effects.
increase shadows and can create different levels of light.
create highly contrasting lighting effects.

Q5.
Photographers work in different environments, these can often be thought about in two categories, .

Correct Answer: studio and outdoors, inside and outside

Q6.
True or false? Photographing outdoors provides a reliable and highly controllable source of light when conducting a photoshoot.

true
Correct answer: false

Additional material

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