Using a Shallow Depth of Field for Landscapes

The majority of landscape photos are shot with a maximum or almost maximum depth of field. Everything is sharp, from front to infinity and beyond. But have you ever considered shooting a landscape with a shallow depth of field?

Landscapes can be pretty impressive. We often want to see as much as possible in one shot. Preferably with a nice foreground to give the image some depth. A wide-angle or ultra-wide-angle makes it easy to have almost everything with an acceptable focus. You just have to close the aperture.

There are some limitations you may encounter. The shallowest aperture is perhaps not the best choice. After all, this will result in a certain loss in sharpness due to diffraction. This is something I explained in a previous article. That is why most photographers won’t use an aperture that is shallower than f/11.

Using the Largest Depth of Field Possible

An aperture of f/11 and a very short focal length will bring almost everything in focus. When focusing on the hyperfocal distance, you will maximize the depth of field. With a full frame camera, a 16mm lens, and an aperture of f/11, you will have a depth of field that ranges from 0.43 meters to infinity when you focus at 1 meter. This focus distance is the hyperfocal distance.

If this depth of field still isn’t enough, you can also use focus stacking. This way the depth of field you can achieve has no limits. But perhaps this maximum depth of field isn’t necessary at all. Perhaps the landscape can shine with the opposite also; a very shallow depth of field.

Using a Shallow Depth of Field

The possibility of shooting landscapes with a shallow depth of field is often forgotten or ignored. Back in the eighties of the previous century, a lot of Dutch textbooks about photography mentioned the tele lens as the best lens for landscapes. And because it is almost impossible to have everything in focus when using a tele lens unless everything is at a large distance, it might be better to use a shallow depth of field instead of trying to get everything into focus.

I use three ways of achieving a shallow depth of field. These techniques are not limited to landscape photography. It works for every kind of photography.

Increase the Distance Between the Foreground and Background

If you dive into the world of depth of field, you know how the depth of field is firstly determined by the aperture. A shallower aperture will increase the depth of field. But the distance to the subject has a big influence also.

It is all about the ratio between your distance to the foreground, and the distance of the foreground to the background. If you stand close to your foreground, the distance from the foreground to the background is much larger relatively speaking, and so it will appear much more out of focus. If you stand further from your foreground, the distance between the foreground and the background will be relatively shallow. In that case, both will become well within the limits of the depth of field.

Shooting a Shallow Depth of Field With a Tele Lens.

A long focal length is probably the easiest way to achieve a shallow depth of field in a landscape. Just choose a foreground object and a large aperture; Use f/2.8 if available. For focal lengths like 300mm and longer, an aperture of f/4 or f/5.6 will also work.

A long focal length will change the perception of the depth of field. Although it doesn’t change it, the out-of-focus area will be magnified compared to the foreground, giving the illusion of a shallower depth of field. Distances between you and the subject, and the subject to background are important.

Shooting a Shallow Depth of Field With a Wide Angle Lens

For a wide-angle lens, it is even more important to stand close to your foreground object. This way it becomes large enough to stand out from the background. The closer you are to your foreground, the further away the background appears in the frame.

Changing the distance ratio is the key to achieve a successful shallow depth of field with a wide-angle. The largest lens opening won’t work unless the distance to the subject is much shallower compared to the distance between subject and background. Although out of focus, your background will still be recognizable.

Using a shallow depth of field with a wide-angle lens is achievable, but it's quite difficult. If you even want a shallower depth of field, a tilt-shift lens may be the solution.

Shooting a Shallow Depth of Field with a Tilt-Shift Lens

The tilt of a tilt-shift lens affects the position of the plane of focus, just as I explained in another article about these lenses here on Fstoppers. If the lens is titled downwards, the plane of focus will also tilt in that direction.

If you tilt the lens in the opposite way, the plane of focus will be tilted towards you, It results in a very shallow area that is sharp. This way it looks as if a very shallow depth of field is achieved. And it even works when using an ultra-wide-angle lens.

Use The Depth of Field That You Find Appropriate

Although you might not think of it a lot, a shallow depth of field can give a great effect on your landscape photo. You can isolate a subject from the background, and let it stand out. Or you can shoot through a blurry foreground, giving a strong sense of depth or even a voyeuristic feeling (in a good way).

Using a shallow depth of field is not better or worse than a large depth of field. It is just different. I believe it complements each other. Just photograph your landscapes with a shallow or large depth of field, depending on what you want to tell with your image. Don't let yourself be limited by thinking a landscape has to be sharp from front to infinity and beyond.

Do you occasionally shoot landscapes with a shallow depth of field? Please tell me your way of achieving a shallow depth of field, and perhaps even show some results. Or perhaps you prefer everything to be in focus. I invite you to share your thoughts on this subject in the comments below.