DOF vs Bokeh Explained

Depth of Field (DOF) and Bokeh are two of the most used photography terms among the photographers.  This two words are not just most used but very important topics to know as basic photography knowledge. In early days of my photography, I was puzzled between DOF and Bokeh as I was puzzled in AM and PM in my childhood. A long day I passed thinking of DOF is another name of Bokeh and saying DOF instead of Bokeh.

After a while I figured that they are related but different things. I don’t know yet which though of mine compiled me to think them same.

Here I have tried to explain them as per my current knowledge about DOF and Bokeh. If anyone have any confusion on them, this blog might eliminate them.

Photo By - Ariful H Bhuiyan -

Depth Of Field (DOF) is the area in an image which is particularly focused and sharp than other area. This is a common and effective technique to show intended subject in a photo. DOF is controlled by aperture settings in camera. DOF can be shallow or high using big or small aperture. In shallow DOF only very little area in the image will be sharp and other parts will be out of focus and in high DOF major part of the image will be in focus. A Wide angle lens have more Depth of Field then a Telephoto lens and vice verse.

Photo By Scholastica Ees says, yuhuuu to all (^_^)

Bokeh is the blur/out of focus area of the image which bring higher aesthetics value for the image. More specifically bokeh is the tiny light circles in blurred area of an image.

A perfect Bokeh in a photo dependent on few things like

• Large aperture,
• A long focal length,
• Long distance between subject and background,
• Close distance between camera and subject,
• Perfect light and background element for bokeh
• Quality of Bokeh is depend on Lens, Background light.

DOF vs Bokeh

Brief description above shows that DOF and Bokeh are not same. DOF in an image is used to show the main subject clearly where bokeh is used to increase the aesthetics value of the image.  When bokeh can be measured by good bokeh or bad bokeh, DOF is measured as shallow or high. Bokeh is dependent of DOF but DOF is never dependent on bokeh. One this they have only common is, both of them are used to produce beautiful images.

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1. Basics of Aperture in Camera
2. Basics of Exposure in Photography
3. Elements of Landscape Photography
4. 7 Quick tips for Portrait Photography
5. Image Sensor Size Explained