Depth of field is determined by the ________________.

• A. Aperture
• B. Shutter speed
• C. Iso
• D. White balance

Answer: (A)

Depth of field is the range of distance in front of and behind the subject that appears acceptably sharp. The main control is the aperture—the size of the lens opening. A wide aperture (small f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, making the subject stand out with a blurred background. A small aperture (large f-number) increases depth of field, bringing more of the scene into sharp focus from near to far. Shutter speed, ISO, and white balance influence exposure and color, not how much of the scene is in focus. For example, using a wide aperture for a portrait gives a sharp subject with a creamy background, while a small aperture for a landscape keeps both the foreground and distant mountains in focus. Depth of field is also affected by how close you are to the subject and the lens focal length.