| Shallow depth of field (SDOF) refers to the visual | | | | Using a telephoto lens to shoot close-ups is a |
| effect that when your subject is in sharp focus | | | | Hollywood technique that exploits SDOF.o |
| but the background or foreground is out of focus. | | | | Depending on your cameras CCD or CMOS |
| It is a cinematic effect that helps you keep your | | | | sensor size will determine the SDOF. The larger |
| audience focused on the subject. Infinite Dept Of | | | | the sensor the easier it is to achieve a SDOF. |
| Field means that everything is in focus. | | | | Most consume camcorders have 1/4" or 1/3" |
| There are sever ways to achieve the shallow | | | | sensors while professional camcorders start with |
| depth of field look:o Open your lens aperture | | | | around 1/2" and above.o Another way to get a |
| (IRIS) to a low f-stop such as F/1.4-F/2.4. You | | | | really nice shallow depth of field is to use a 35mm |
| can use your ND filter to help you shoot at lower | | | | lens adaptor. This allows you to attach a 35mm |
| F-stops without overexposing your image.o | | | | still camera lens to your camcorder providing an |
| Zooming all the way out is another easy way to | | | | incredible SDOF "Film Look". |
| get a Shallow depth of field look. With this method | | | | Now that you know what shallow depth of field is |
| you will need to move your camera further away | | | | and how to best achieve it good luck creating |
| from the subject to achieve normal composition. | | | | your Hollywood blockbuster. |