Depth Of Field Exercise

[@tazman645]

you make photography so much simpler to learn. I am glued to my laptop going through your video's every night. even my 13 year old son is taking an interest and wants to go out with the camera instead of being glued to the playstation...many many thanks and please keep the video's coming...

[@aaz148a]

This is by far the best demonstration ever explaining depth of field. If anyone (who had watched this video to the end) has still any questions, then better look for another hobby. No complicated graphs, no technical terminology, no tables and numbers and no ambiguous words. Just a camera, a few colored stickers, some lovely public pillars and a lot of passion and patience. Way to go Mike!!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you so much aaz148a - good to know you like it :-)

[@eallahyani]

You are a great Teacher, I watched the parts 1,2 and 3 with the exercise and finally I got the depth of field easily. Thank you so much.

[@vincentspratling365]

Hi Mike. A big thank you for your demonstration. your explaining is made easy to understand, and your speech is nice and clear. Has soon as I get a nice dry day and my back pain not to bad, I will be going out and have a go myself. If wasn't for nice people like yourself to help other's with these video lessons. I am disabled now and find it very therapeutic while out with camera. All the best Vince

[@31bluenose]

Really useful exercise. Tried it with two lenses, different focal lengths etc. seeing the shots on your own laptop really brings it home. Thanks Mike.

[@sarantislachanis6515]

Mike you are an excellent teacher .I have watched most of your videos for the past four months since I bought the a6000 camera , and you tought me photography.From the sunny Athens and near the Parthenon I thank you huge!!!

[@bereantrb]

For anyone doing this now, several years after this was posted, many image editors or viewing software that comes with many cameras displays the exposure info alongside the image. This will greatly speed up both the shooting process (just change the camera setting and click) and the reviewing process (just click through the images and see the changes). Great exercise, Mike. It's so important to get grounded in the fundamentals.

[@crysmarie6684]

For some reason, my brain has always associated wide aperture with a close focus distance. Like, if I'm using a wide open aperture, then my focus point needs to be as close to my camera as is possible. So in this case, I would focus on the first post in the video. I just assumed I would need to adjust my aperture smaller if I wanted to focus on the second or third post. Yesterday, I saw a girl doing portrait photography at f1.8 and my mind was blown that the model was so in focus when she was a few feet away from the camera. I decided I needed a better understanding of depth of field, even though I've been shooting for years! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the block of focus you were talking about in the previous video. Thank you for this!

[@MikeBrowne]

Very sorry we never got around to commenting at the time!

[@Deliciouscafe]

Quite simply the best photography tutorial series on KZbin, I've learned so much. Every camera instruction manual should include a link to your channel to help you get out of auto. Keep up the great work.....so informative, no nonsense and user friendly. Cheers - Jay.

[@jjccllgg]

Ever since I found you, you have become my favorite You Tube instructor. So creative and practical. Thank you!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Juan Carlos Lopez... MIKE

[@ahmadraza8481]

Mike you are a legend..thanks for very professional help with no cost...!

[@dkreppucci]

Great exercise with the best of all of the photography teachers. Thanks again.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks again yourself dkreppucci

[@MikeBrowne]

I pondered that one but chose not to mention it because so many people have trouble seeing the difference through the viewfinder because it goes rather dark. I take your point though.

[@BigRonRocks]

Hi Mike! I've been shooting for over 15 years but have just gotten serious in the last year or two. I've watched hundreds of videos on You Tube and several other sites. I've learned so much, but it's been kind of scattershot, and some instructors are better than others. I discovered you last week, and I just want to say thanks! I really like your teaching style. Just checked some of your paid tutorials and I think I will give them a shot. Thanks again! I do watch the ads all the way through so you will get credit from You Tube.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you ***** - on all counts :-) If you've been shooting for a while the tutorial I recommend is The 7 Building Blocks of Photography which will really push your creativity and cameras skills forward - www.photographycourses.biz/7_building_blocks_of_photography.html

[@rakeshpillai747]

Just love the way u keep things so lucid,makes it so very easy to understand !! Thank u!!

[@dr.nitinrvohra3206]

Your tutorials are a boon to amateur photographers because you are a fantastic teacher. You make one glide over lessons as easy as sliding over ice slopes.If somebody does not understand the basics of photography even after seeing your videos, they better get their minds checked for sub-normal IQs. Thanks a ton Mike......

[@MikeBrowne]

Wow that's praise indeed +Dr. Nitin R Vohra Thank you. - MIKE :-)

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

4:25 'eleeeven' spoken in true Nigel Tufnell style... Which begs the question 'why not just make ten louder?' very useful clip. Thank you!

[@MikeBrowne]

😆... MIKE

[@tomtingle1723]

ive nothing but good things to say about your videos, guy. Im just a teenager and ive been having a rough time trying to find videos that cover as much info as yours. thanks, tom

[@MikeBrowne]

Wow thanks +Tom Tingle always happy to help. And please share my vids around - it helps me make more. Enjoy and good luck - MIKE

[@1316baseball]

So glad I found your videos...I am new to photography and teaching myself...I have learned so much through you and this exercise was perfect! Thank you!!!

[@MikeBrowne]

thank you for the kind words, please do share them too so we can make more! - Melissa pp Mike :)

[@TrekBookIndia]

Sir, all Ur videos are awesome, simple to understand & interesting to watch. Thanks a tonne. Mahesh, Pune, India

[@tonytrahn1662]

Great effort, Mike. I really appreciate your videos and instructions. Cheers!

[@MikeBrowne]

There's a video about stops in our camera controls playlist. 1 'stop' is a halving or doubling of exposure. in terms of shutter going from 120th sec to 60th sec would be an increase of 1 stop. Cameras now have increments if 3rds in between. Full stop increments of aperture are 5.6 to 8 to 11 to 16 to 22 (I know the numbers don't make sense). So if you go from f11 to f13 you've decrease exposure by a third of a stop. BUT DON'T GET HUNG UP ON THESE NUMBERS just change them until it looks right.

[@anthonyb5625]

Really enjoy your tutorials Mike. I am a complete novice just starting out and your explanations are spot on. Love your work!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you ***** Please help us spread the word and grow the community by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing our videos and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc

[@Sallybunckle]

Thank you Mike and Jane. I always love your video's, kind regards and thanks for sharing your wisdom..... :)

[@johnantohe226]

This video is one of the first I saw in the period I started learning photography..... From this guy! 😁

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank John - MIKE

[@TC-dw6wg]

Mike fantastic video explaining and demonstrating Aperture and DOF. Just gained yourself a new subscriber. You most definitely have the gift of teaching and I thank you for sharing your talents and time with us. Tom

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you and welcome @Tom C. ... MIKE :-)

[@beaudmiser]

mike i really like watching your videos, you make everything seem so easy, and the quality of the pictures is amazing

[@smiffy5467]

Just discovered your channel and after watching countless others on KZbin I found your method of tuition the best yet.. Thank you for sharing..👍

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Andy . Please share it around - it helps me keep it going... MIKE :-)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you so much for saying so

[@allanthompson9695]

I got into photography proper about 9 months ago after spending some years using action cams to just record what was happening. I really wish I'd bought my first DSLR and got into photography when you were doing these early tutorials Mike. Still it's never too late and they are still brilliant tutorials. Thanks ever so much.

[@hazemtelib9767]

Just saw couple of your videos and immediately subscribed. Thanks a lot Mike for your effort Keep it up, we are learning a lot from you

[@MikeBrowne]

That's brilliant Hazem Telib and thank you - MIKE :-)

[@raminhashemi1946]

An interesting feature on my Sony A77 M2 is a button in front of the camera which is dedicated to the depth of field and you can see the actual depth of the field. As always, very nicely and easily explained an important point in photography! Loving it!!!

[@david72lansdell]

Smiley face .... Good videos Mike, helping me a lot cheers Dave

[@DimitrisZoo85]

Mike Browne thank you for everything!! I'm a beginner/amateur photographer and in my opinion, your videos are the best guide to learn photography. You have a great transmissibility (I looked up "transmissibility" in google translate :P)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Dimitris Zournatsidis If you’ve benefitted from my free stuff please take a look at my 7 Building Blocks of Photography Course which is the next step. 7 weeks, downloadable, 5 hrs of unique video which teaches you how to combine the technical and creative aspects of photography by Thinking like a photographer. As Ansel Adams said there's nothing worse than a sharp picture- of a Fuzzy idea".- www.photographycourses.biz/7_building_blocks_of_photography.html

[@catherinevaganay3227]

I love the exercise part ; it makes the concept so easy to grab.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you catherine vaganay

[@oc2phish07]

Terrific video. Mike, you are without doubt an outstanding teacher.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you 😎

[@robertmyers4390]

Hi Mike,,,, excellent video as usual, thanks, Bob

[@smedz28]

Just discovered your tutorials, i've been looking for someone who covers photography and not predominantly photoshop which is what most photographers do, concentrate on the post processing. I think your tutorials are great, well explained, easy to understand and very relevant. Keep it up :) ........I have a suggestion for a video i've not seen covered. In this video you talk about full stops and you jump a few f stops saying they are 3rd of a stop. I've never been able to get my head around this, so when people say in videos 'take it down a stop or two' I never know how much of an f stop or shutter speed they are talking about

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you smedz28 I have a video explaining stops at www.photographycourses.biz/videos/technical/exposure/photography_stop.html

[@alansadleir3110]

Alan Sadleir Thanks Mike this is a brilliant way to explain depth of field. Let you know how i manage this.

[@MikeBrowne]

Have fun! - Melissa pp Mike

[@shurinkumar8683]

Hi Mike. A simple but great video(listen). I have seen various videos on DOF but your videos on DOF was easy to understand. I have practiced it & it's drilled into me. Thank you very much

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Shurin Kumar I'm delighted you like them. Please help me make more videos like this one by sharing it with other photographers on forums, Facebook, Flickr etc.

[@maddie-ny4jw]

Mike Browne

[@MikeBrowne]

Madlen Germanova :-)

[@patrickswenman1568]

Great exercise Mike! Your videos are really inspiring and I've decided to get myself a better camera than the one I've got on my phone. Since I'm only going to use it as a hobby I can't spend to much money on a camera and I was thinking about a mirrorless camera without a viewfinder. What is your opinion, is it better to get one of those small and "easy to bring" cameras or for example a Nikon 3100 (quite cheap but also quite big). I would really love to take dof photos. Thanks for your videos!

[@abritt1031]

These videos are fantastic! Thank you!

[@shahrampooee9831]

I just want to say thanks for your time.it is very useful.

[@reynaldosilvagenares7826]

Hi Mike!!! I´m brazilian (sorry the languages mistakes) and i have to tell you that your videos are brilliant!!! Excelent job man!!!! The way you show photographic technics and the didactic form that you passes informationare really great. Thanks for the help!!!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you for your kind words Reynaldo Silva Genares . Please help me make more videos by sharing them with other photographers on forums etc.

[@MissOgma]

I feel I have to repeat myself again: your videos are so good, seriously. I can't emphasize this enough. Thank you so very much. I feel I should comment this in each one of your videos, but it's not possible.... :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you MissOgma Al;l I would ask is that you please help me make more videos by sharing them with other photographers on forums, Facebook, Flickr etc. :-)

[@riverside7753]

Your content is awesome Mike.

[@mikeschmuck9994]

Mike, such a great video. Thanks so much for sharing all of this information. Cheers!

[@MikeBrowne]

No worries Mike Schmuck happy it helped. Please help me make more like it by sharing it around - MIKE :-)

[@naveenkumar9646]

Thanks for the video Mike. Love the way you explain.Keep up the Good Work. :) Cheers :)

[@tcwhite0104]

Great videos and love the comic delivery at times...

[@Randothol]

Mike, you sir, are a legend!!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you - MIKE

[@ryanabrenica768]

Practical genius. Great job sir...

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Ryan Abrenica

[@wildflower20102]

excellent lesson on aperature!!

[@MikeBrowne]

thank you +wildflower20102 - glad you find it helpful - Melissa pp Mike :)

[@Badamz77]

Another great video, thanks, definitely agree, having an exercise to practice with is so useful!

[@wannabefunnyman]

Just finished photographing this exercise. No poles here. I used empty garbage cans. I put them all about a meter apart so I could get an idea in distance as to what kind of depth of field I can expect

[@allenarmstrong379]

Hi MIke great videos. what are you thoughts on back button focus

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Allen Armstrong I don't think it makes any difference. Just use whichever works best for you. I prefer front button focus but have lots of colleagues who use the back one.

[@brothercain]

Amazing videos! Thanks a lot Mike!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Andrei Mircea Ciuta - CHRISTINA :-)

[@muratunel]

Thanks for sharing... Great video.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you kenjeiro. Please help us spread the word and grow the community by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing our videos and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc

[@TejeshwarTaneja]

Just what I needed. Thank you.

[@alanmccrum1241]

amazing help.... simply explained.

[@nmfranklin66]

Yet another great video ..Thanks Mike ... Maybe next time using white chalk on the posts would be easier ? :)

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Ahmad. Please help us spread the word by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing on Facebook etc - or you can make a donation on our site if you feel they have been of value

[@geoengineeringwatchsouthaf415]

Another excellent video Mike, thank you! Just one question - where was your point of focus? Did you use single point focus on the first bollard?

[@MikeBrowne]

hi this is an old vid, but i assume Mike did used single point focus as he wanted to specifically point on the bollard and it's his go to setting :) - Melissa pp Mike

[@SaajanMR]

Your videos are really informative while keeping it not so boring as usual tech videos, you nvr notice that you are learning , good one

[@MikeBrowne]

thank you Saajan MR for the kind words, i agree Mike has his own unique simple and engaging style of teaching, please if you can kindly spread the word, it will also help us make more free videos. MELISSA ( for Mike )

[@kenjeiro]

i love you channel, the best i have subscribed to.

[@121odin]

Top quality channel thank you

[@rorycampbell7360]

Thanks Mike, my little grey cells are beginning to, reignite.

[@oqhr]

Thank you Mike for this vedio. There is only one big problem with me; I am using 16mm lebs all manual, so it is very very hard for me to work with the depth of field and to focus at the same time. I hope that you can make another video for the manual lenses

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi alsogooraa. If you only shoot with a wide lens it'll be almost impossible for you to create soft backgrounds and control DOF, unless you are very very close to the subject. Wide lenses have a bigger DOF than longer lenses... MIKE

[@lauragonzalez473]

You are amazing teacher

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you Laura - MIKE

[@MikeBrowne]

Absolutely

[@RonK]

Excellent as always. Do you happen to remember where you shot this exercise?

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Ronny. It says under the video it was uploaded in October 2012... MIKE :-)

[@circcusshow377]

Hi Mike, Emiliano here, fantastic way to explain technical aspects of photography. Personally I'm starting with the experimentation on DSLR cameras. I would like to ask you whether to expand or restrict the area of focus or depth of field applies exactly the same when I work on video mode. There is something in particular that changes and I should be aware. Greetings from Chile

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Circcus Show - The focus method is mostly the same when shooting video as with stills. On most DSLRs AF doesn't work when in video mode so you have to keep the distance to subject constant or change focus manually when filming and the distance changes.

[@richardrevett8242]

very simple exercise that explains so much. thanks Mike :-)

[@jerryh1937]

Very practical exercises. Thanks

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks Jerry - MIKE

[@mdredzuanahmad]

Learnt from you Mike.. Regards Redzuan from Malaysia

[@jjccllgg]

Maybe a silly question from an amateur. I have heard a lot about the "thirds" principle, or focusing on third of the way or whatever. I notice you focus on the first target. Please explain to me. By the way, the POST IT notes is genius!

[@MikeBrowne]

Hi again Juan. Depth of field extends roughly 1/3rd in front of the poing of focus and 2/3rd behind it. But that changes according to the distance to subject. It's not something that can be explained in a short comment, it's something you have to go out and do so you experience it. But before you do you have to understand that different focal lengths have a huge impact on depth of field. I know, it makes your head hurt! Please take a look at my online Beginners course becaue it will teach you what you need to know one etep at a time in the order that makes everything fall into place. It's 5 weeks of video lessons, notes and exercises for you to do so you get practical experience. Find out more, book or try a free sample at the link below... MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/ubc

[@jjccllgg]

@@MikeBrowne Thank you!

[@jjccllgg]

@@MikeBrowne Unfortunately, I am in a moment of my life, finding myself with a family and a challenging household economy. Right now, I am in Japan providing counseling services to our US troops and families, away from home and from my family (Miami). Would love to take your course, but I will have to wait. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy your You Tube instructional videos which are the best I have seen (and I have seen many!). Thank you and God Bless!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you

[@Yoko.Kurama]

Are you using a full frame sensor? if I'm using Micro 4/3 do I need to multiply aperture by 2 to get equivalent to full frame sensor?

[@MikeBrowne]

In this video no, it's a crop sensor. The maths of this makes my head hurt so I've never looked into it. Regardless of sensor size, I just experiment with focal length, distance to subject and aperture to get the the look I want. I googled it for you and found this link below. Hope it helps... MIKE en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Four_Thirds_system

[@austintrammel5335]

I know, but thanks anyways. I was just giving Mike a hard time =) I should have put a wink-face at the end, though. I don't think it came off right. Thanks for the lesson, though, Mike!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you - Mike

[@NLK_Racing]

Great exercise... Will have a go ;-)

[@jesuisravi]

good idea with the post-its. BTW, this is either Australia or USA? Certainly not UK.

[@MikeBrowne]

hi jesuisravi it's actually UK :P - Melissa pp Mike

[@jesuisravi]

thank you. I'm surprised. I can't tell it from a parking lot in Chicago or Miami.

[@rodolfhenriquez9355]

Mike The depth of field works forwards and backwards You should have focused in the middle pole , as a surprise the front does not gives as much as the back field .

[@MikeBrowne]

Indeed Rodolf Henriquez. This video is an exercise for a beginner to try. The front / back and how to control it is covered in some of my other videos. Here's one linked below - it's quite an oldie..... MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos/technical/getting-sharp-images/Depth-of-Field-Pt1

[@sandmaxprime]

One thing worth mentioning, or putting as an Annotation is that for people who use Lightroom, they can press I to view the capture details of the image.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thanks - Mike

[@gazbrooks]

Also might be worth while mentioning the DOF preview button. :)

[@chiquilento.shorts]

awesome channel! one of the best! =)

[@CharlieCarterCreative]

Great videos, thank you!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank Charlie Carter delighted you like them. Please help me make more by sharing them with other photographers online and elsewhere.. :-)

[@appynail369]

Can you do some tutorials for nailart photography please

[@david72lansdell]

So this exercise could be best for someone who is interested in landscape, as focusing a third in at f22 would give pin sharp from front to back ...

[@junjunjr.llauderes4424]

Hi Mike, Can the DOF affect the sharpness of the steady subject like if you are on a wide open f stop...I sometimes get blurry pics even though my focus is right on the subject? My shutter speed is on the fast side to compensate the hand movement...

[@MikeBrowne]

Junjun jr. Llauderes If you're sure there's no camera shake, using a wide aperture and being fairly close to the subject even the tiniest change of distance between subject and sensor can make the areas you want sharp move out of focus. Even something as seemingly minor as breathing can cause this. Set single point AF to the precise spot you want to focus on so the focus happens an instant before the shutter release - www.photographycourses.biz/autofocus.html

[@junjunjr.llauderes4424]

thanks very much Mike,,,you are the only person who answers my question straight to the point..I am trying a lens before buying that's why I ask this especially that it has no image stabilizer...I tried lots of test even putting it on a tripod and I get good results the only thing I got blurry image is when I am hand holding it even at fast shutter speed like1/250 sec.

[@MikeBrowne]

With such shallow DOF a tripod is the best way Junjun jr. Llauderes

[@SuperL33CH]

Subscribed and thankyou sir.

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you for subscribing SuperL33CH . Please help me make more videos like this by clicking the like button and sharing them with other photographers on forums, Facebook etc. - MIKE

[@oc2phish07]

Is it a full frame sensor or a digital sensor? LOL. However, slips of the tongue to the side, I love your videos Mike.

[@MikeBrowne]

🤣 ... Thanks... 🙏🙂😉

[@tonycolon67]

ok i'll ask the silly question, how do i know what's a full stop and whats 1/2 and 1/3 and so on thx

[@Rallybear]

Great stuff as allways : )

[@norgerichard]

Great video

[@MikeBrowne]

Glad to see you're looking at the exercises - practice makes perfect, or near as damn it!

[@CalebKepleyMusic]

This is a great video

[@MikeBrowne]

I'm glad you enjoyed this video on Depth of Field - there's plenty more!

[@MikeBrowne]

Thank you. If you want to be able to play with DOF creatively then a DSLR is the way to go. As to which one I can only suggest you check some out in a store to see what you like re size etc. They can all take great photos. Have a look at /watch?v=g4J0YWmsrNU

[@khalidbucheery2420]

thanks