218 The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, 4E

Figure 10.7

This 50mm Canon lens has an f-stop rating of 1.4 and has distance markings for measuring focus. Note the use of paper tape to set focus marks for pulling focus.

How to Get a Shallow Depth of Field

Shallow depth of field is a look that many filmmakers covet, but achieving it is technically challenging and involves many different variables. The lighting, the lens, the placement of the subject, and the camera all play a role. Here are some basics for getting shallow depth of field.

nShoot in low light. This will let you use a lower f-stop, which results in a more shallow depth of field.

nUse ND filters (see Figures 10.8 and 10.9). If you need to shoot in brighter light, you can still change the amount of light coming into the camera by adding ND filters so that you can use a lower f-stop.

nUse a longer lens. Longer lenses need more light so you can use a lower f-stop. They also compress distance within the image, which separates your subject from the background even more.

nIncrease the shutter speed. A faster shutter speed lets in less light.

nDecrease the gain/ISO.