Syvyystarkkuus

Syvyystarkkuus, a Finnish term, translates to "depth of field" in English and refers to the range of distances in front of and behind a focused subject that appears acceptably sharp in a photograph or other optical image. It is a crucial concept in photography and cinematography, influencing how a viewer's attention is guided within an image.

A large depth of field means that a wide range of distances will be in focus, making both foreground and background elements appear sharp. This is often achieved with a smaller aperture (larger f-number). Conversely, a shallow depth of field results in only a narrow zone being in focus, with areas closer to and further from the subject appearing blurred. This is typically achieved with a wider aperture (smaller f-number).

Several factors influence depth of field, including the aperture setting of the lens, the focal length of the lens, and the distance between the camera and the subject. Photographers use depth of field creatively to isolate subjects, create a sense of depth, or provide context through the background. In portraiture, a shallow depth of field is often used to blur the background and make the subject stand out. In landscape photography, a large depth of field is often desired to ensure that both near and far elements are sharp. Understanding and controlling syvyystarkkuus is therefore fundamental to achieving desired visual effects.