BLOG QUESTION ADV: DEEP FOCUS

How does deep depth of field affect the audience's film experience? Why would a filmmaker want to use shallow vs. deep depth of field?

Deep depth of field affects the audience experience by bringing attention to the details in the background. For example, in the movie Citizen Kane, they use deep depth of field to emphasize the blocking of the characters and show the actions of everyone in the shot. A filmmaker would want to use shallow depth of field to guide the audiences eyes to the details they want them to pay attention to. A deep depth of field is best used when the filmmakers want to bring attention to the background, as well as the foreground. For example, when two characters in frame and one is in the foreground while the other is in the background they both are able to be in focus.