Shallow depth of field
For other examples:
Alkan Hassan p. 21
Slinkachu p. 46
Youngjun Koo p. 96
Here, Sebastião Salgado gives his subject a striking sculptural presence by making the lines of the man’s body so clearly defined against an out-of-focus background. This effect is called a shallow depth of field. See how it causes us to be drawn to the intensity of the man’s stare and his powerful, muscular frame covered with scarring and white ash.
To achieve a shallow depth of field select ‘Aperture Priority’ and a wide open aperture (low f-number).
By throwing an area of your image out of focus you’re effectively getting rid of detail. This causes your subject to really stand out. As seen here, a shallow depth of field makes portraits particularly striking.
If you have a camera with an optical viewfinder (a DSLR for example), you won’t see this effect when you’re composing your picture. You’ll only see it once you’ve taken the shot. If, however, you have a camera with a electronic viewfinder (most bridge and compact system cameras), you will see this effect through the viewfinder.
Dinka man, Southern Sudan
Sebastião Salgado
2006
Hide and Seek
Slinkachu
2013
