While every photograph requires adjustments to the aperture and shutter to create the best exposure, shutter speed adjustments affect the appearance of subject motion, and changing the size of the aperture adjusts depth of field. Understanding how these features affect each composition provides full creative control over every photo we shoot.

The term, ‘depth of field’, refers to the distance an image appears in focus from the nearest point to the furthest. Depth of field is related to both the diameter of the aperture (f stop) as well as the focal length being used. The smaller the aperture, and the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth of field potential.

The hyperfocus point is the distance at which the camera needs to be focused in order to optimize the depth of field in a photograph from the nearest subject detail to the furthest. The often heard suggestion of focusing about 1/3 of the way into a scene only applies in very specific situations, and generally doesn’t come close to where the actual hyperfocus point should be. While having a sense of the parameters can be helpful, working with a chart and knowing how to apply the principles of depth of field and hyperfocusing offers the greatest creative options for every photographic situation.