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Art Architecture and Design
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Depth of Field: Short & Long

San Rafael Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, California- 1962 Ansel Easton Adams

There are several strengths to this composition. The first being the contrast in the photograph. The contrast intensifies in the foreground and this draws attention to the details in the bottom half of the photo. The contrast in the back decreases and gives a nice foggier effect on the silhouette of the mountains. Another strength of this composition would be the shapes used in the photo. The dock and the bridge both lend a linear effect to the composition that intensifies the depth of field,

The artist’s choice of using long depth of field contributes to the composition because it gives the viewer a wide scale image of the landscape. The depth of field is able to capture and draw attention to many details in the photograph while also highlighting the focal points.

Easton Adams, Ansel. Metmuseum.org, 1962, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/264674?searchField=All.

Grass, Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska ca. 1948, printed 1974 Ansel Easton Adams

One strength of this composition is the use of line in the photograph. The way that the blades of grass are photographed leads the eye in a directional path. The use of value is also a strength in this composition as the lighter blades of grass are brought forward.

The artist’s choice of short depth of field contributes to the composition because it brings forth the details in the grass. The viewer is able to focus on the upfront focal points. The back of the image is darker and allows this to be done.

Adams, Ansel Easton. Metmuseum.org, 1974, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/262571?searchField=All&%3BsortBy=Relevance&%3Bft=ansel%2Badams&%3Boffset=20&%3Brpp=20&%3Bpos=24.

One thought on “Depth of Field: Short & Long

  1. In your long sample, the areas of sharpest focus are the foreground and dock – this is the long depth of field – not so much of the background which is in haze. Good overall analysis of strengths in the compositions.

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